Policies are principles adopted by the Board of Education to serve as guidelines and goals for the successful and efficient functioning of Knox County Schools.  The policies of the Knox County Board of Education are framed, and meant to be interpreted, in terms of Tennessee laws, rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, and all other regulatory agencies within the county, state and federal levels of government.

Either the Administration or a Board member may propose policies or policy amendments for the purpose of passing, revising, or deleting policies to respond to changing conditions.  All proposed policies or policy amendments shall first be brought to the Director of Schools or the Director of Schools’ designee for addition to the policy review meeting process, unless a Board member or the Administration finds it necessary to request Board consideration of changes outside of the review process in the best interest of the district or due to time constraints.   Following the review process or at the request of a Board member or the Administration, proposed policies or policy amendments shall be submitted to the Board for consideration as part of the agenda.  Policies and substantive policy amendments shall be considered through two readings at separate Board meetings.  Upon first reading, the Administration or Board member proposing the policy or policy amendment shall address the Board and introduce the proposal. Upon second reading, the Board may take final action on the proposal.  Adoption shall require an affirmative vote by a majority of the members of the Board.

Policies and policy amendments adopted by the Board shall be made a part of the minutes and shall be placed in the policy manual which will be posted on the Knox County Schools website. Policies and policy amendments shall be effective immediately upon adoption unless a specific effective date is provided, and shall supersede any previous Board action on the subject. 

POLICY MAINTENANCE  

The Director of Schools shall be responsible for drafting policy proposals, maintaining the Board Policy Manual and serving as liaison between the Board and the Tennessee School Boards Association. Policies are revised as need arises. They are made official as a result of the vote of the Board and may be amended or discarded by vote of the Board. At least biennially, the Board shall review its policy manual for the purpose of passing, revising or deleting policies mandated by changing conditions.¹

Policies shall be accessible to all employees of the school system, members of the Board, and citizens of the community.¹ 

SUSPENSION OF POLICIES  

Any Board policy or part thereof may be suspended by a majority vote of the total membership of the Board. 

ADMINISTRATION IN POLICY ABSENCE  

In cases where the Board has provided no guidelines for administrative action, the Director of Schools shall have the power to act, but report to the Board at its next meeting.

Legal Reference:  
1. T.C.A. § 49-2-207.   

Approved as to Legal Form 
By Knox County Law Director 7/1/2024 
/Gary T. Dupler/Deputy Law Director