KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville families could see earlier mornings or later afternoons next year as Knox County Schools studies three ways to redraw its bus system and bell schedule, and every version takes routes off the road to save money.
The plans were presented at a board of education retreat and drawn up by TransPar Group, a school transportation consulting firm the district brought in back in February. District leaders have stressed that the dollar figures are rough projections meant to open the discussion, and the board has not voted on any of them.
The lightest option would eliminate 27 routes and save about $950,000 a year. A middle option would drop 45 routes, save an estimated $1.6 million and leave most high school schedules alone, which protects after-school athletics. The deepest plan would remove 77 routes and save $2.7 million a year.
Right now the younger grades go first. Elementary students are in class from 7:45 in the morning until 2:45 in the afternoon, and most middle and high school students follow an hour behind on an 8:30-to-3:30 day. The proposals would stretch that spread: some elementary buildings would open 15 minutes sooner, at 7:30, while some middle and high schools would not start until 9:30 and would let out at 4:30.
Moving more schools into that late third tier is what lets the district run fewer buses, because the same drivers and vehicles can cover more trips across the morning.
The money pressure is not new. The district entered this school year facing a $7.8 million budget shortfall and has already trimmed central-office jobs.
Parents who want a say should watch the next board of education meeting, set for Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. Any schedule change would need board action before it could take effect.
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