Knox County Commission on June 5, 2023, approved the General County Budget, which included the $660.7 million Fiscal Year 2024 general purpose budget for Knox County Schools, as well as the county-wide Capital Improvement Plan (including district construction projects).

The spending plan will make significant investments in crucial areas, including:

• Investments in staff
  • 4% base salary increases for all certified and classified staff
  • An additional 8% base salary increase for custodians, school clerical, educational assistants, security officers and food service (for a total of 12%)

• Investments in students
  • 20 new FTE interventionists (10 behavioral, 10 academic), allocated at 2 schools per region
  • 6 new FTEs at Richard Yoakley, KAEC, and Ridgedale
  • 18 new pre-K positions

• Investments in schools
  • An increase in playground investments, from $90,000 (FY23) to $590,000 (FY24)
  • Three growth solutions
    • Farragut ($4 million)
    • Mechanicsville, Lonsdale, Beaumont ($3.4 million)
    • South Knoxville ($4.1 million in FY25)
  • $3 million in school security investments including locks, video systems, emergency communication, and perimeter security

“We are grateful for the strong support of Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and the Knox County Commission in approving this budget,” said superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk. “Knox County Schools is committed to using taxpayer dollars wisely and effectively. Access to adequate funding is critically important to making gains in our four district priorities:  Excellence in Foundational Skills, Great Educators in Every School, Career Empowerment and Preparation, and Success for Every Student. We appreciate our partnership with Knox County and Mayor Jacobs and their ongoing commitment to the success of our students.”

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees will be considering tuition and fee increases for each of its campuses when it meets on June 30 in Memphis.

In preparation for the meeting, the University has requested feedback from the public in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated §49-7-1603, which requires boards of public universities to provide public notice of proposed increases to in-state, undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees at least 15 days prior to holding a public meeting.  Individuals may provide comments during the 15-day period, and a transcript of all comments will be provided to the UT Board of Trustees. The public comment period will end June 20 at 6 p.m. EDT. Anyone with a disability who wishes to provide feedback may contact the individuals listed below to request any additional assistance.

Detailed information regarding the tuition and mandatory fee proposals for each campus (including an explanation of the increases, the purpose for which revenue derived from these increases will be used, and a description of the efforts to mitigate the effect of these increases) and how to comment on any of the proposals, can be found at: https://trustees.tennessee.edu/tuition-and-fee-proposals/

The University of Tennessee System distributes this notice to all faculty and staff as part of its compliance with the adequate public notice requirement of state open meetings law.

Knoxville Police are investigating a fatal crash on Chapman Highway.

It happened last night (Sunday) in the 6500 block involving a motorcycle.

Early investigation reveals a motorcycle being driven by a man was going south on Chapman Highway when it crossed into the northbound lane into on-coming traffic and hit an SUV head-on, that vehicle hit another car.

The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene, one person in one of the other involved vehicles was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced road work on Dolly Parton Parkway (SR 35/US 411) beginning Tuesday, June 6. Motorists should expect delays during heavy traffic periods and be alert for changing traffic patterns.

TDOT has provided the following information on the project.

Motorists traveling on SR-35 (Dolly Parton Parkway/US 411) in Sevier County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have an impact on traffic over the next couple months.

Beginning on Tuesday night, June 6, there will be lane closures on SR-35 (Dolly Parton Parkway/US 411) between Gary Wade Blvd.  (LM 14.66) and SR-416 (LM 17.65).  These lane closures will be in place to allow crews to mill and resurface all lanes of traffic.

These lane closures will be in place nightly, Sundays through Thursdays, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. All work is expected to be complete by Friday, July 28.

This schedule is contingent on favorable weather conditions.  Motorists are advised to use extreme caution in this area as workers will be present.