Parent Responsibility Zone (PRZ)

1. Used by school districts across the United States as a way to manage limited transportation resources.
2. In Knox County, elementary students within 1.0 mile from their school, by the shortest route, are in the PRZ. Middle and high students within 1.5 miles from their school, by the shortest route, are in the PRZ. Bus or shuttle service cannot be provided.
3. School Board policy does not dictate these students must “walk.” It says, “it is the parent's responsibility to get their children to school.”

Bus Stop Locator

• Click here for the Bus Stop Locator
• Enter street number and street address (sometimes less is more; enter partial street name to pull up a more comprehensive list)
• Click on the school name
• Child should utilize first stop listed as this will be the “assigned stop”

Parent Resources

1. Go to knoxschools.org > I want to… > Find Bus Information
2. Daily Bus Report: First source of most current bus delays, bus substitutions, and road information.
3. School Bus Handbook: Provides explanation of transportation procedures based on Knox County School Board Policies.
4. ParentSquare: All subscribers to the KCS messaging system will automatically receive transportation-related emails and text notifications by default.

Bus Stop Safety and Policies

1. During the first two weeks of school, be at the stop early and allow a 10 minute window both before and after the “Stop Time” listed on the Bus Stop Locator.
2. After the first two weeks, be at the stop 5 minutes early so you can be STANDING at the stop as the bus arrives. This is critical for student safety, as running from a waiting car is dangerous for the student and the bus driver (this is in alignment with KCS School Board Policy).
3. Utilize all Parent Resources in order to have the most up-to-date information pertaining to bus delays and issues.
4. Dress for inclement weather as there could be bus delays due to traffic issues.
5. Students are responsible for knowing their stop and getting off a the correct stop. If they miss their stop, they need to communicate to the driver immediately. If possible the driver return to the stop. If not, the student will be returned to the school.

Inclement Weather

• Buses may not cover some roads when KCS deems them unsafe for school bus travel. Check Daily Bus Report for details of specific road status.
• If a student does not normally ride the bus but needs to ride on delay days, call the Transportation Department at 865-594-1550 (opens at 6:00 am).

Transfer Students

Parents/Guardians of transfer students are responsible for their children's transportation. Transfer students are not eligible for bus or shuttle transportation.

Tips and Reminders

• When exiting the bus, look both ways before crossing the street. Walk quickly but use caution crossing the road and pay attention to oncoming traffic.
• Band/orchestra instruments must be secured and cannot jeopardize student safety. They cannot be in the bus aisle or impede passenger movement. Larger instruments may not be the permitted on buses with a high capacity of riders.
• Going home with friends: 
  • Students must always have a written note from a parent/guardian, signed by the Principal to get off the bus anywhere other than their designated stop. Without an authorized note, the driver will take the student to their designated stop or back to the school.
  • Riders assigned to a bus are given priority. If the bus is over capacity, a non-assigned student will not be able to ride home with a friend even with a signed note.

Customer Service

Transportation Customer Service

transportation@knoxschools.org

865-594-1550, Option 1.