Update On The 2021-22 School Year

During a Board of Education work session on June 30, Superintendent Bob Thomas provided an update about the 2021-22 school year. A summary version of that statement is provided below:

“I am very grateful for the tremendous efforts of our students, families, and employees during the school year that ended in May. Despite the enormous challenges of COVID-19, our school communities worked together to ensure that our educational mission continued moving forward.

We are working hard to prepare for the 2021-22 school year, and I know that the KCS community is eager to know more about what it will look like.

As always, we will continue to consult with the Knox County Health Department and to review guidance from the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee Department of Health. If circumstances related to COVID-19 change, we will respond promptly in coordination with these agencies.

However, at this time our expectation is that the COVID-19 restrictions implemented a year ago will not be in place for the 2021-22 school year. Specifically, this means that:

• Masks will not be required for students, teachers or employees, although they will be allowed at each individual’s discretion;
• Temperature checks will not be required for students, employees or visitors;
• Knox County Schools will not conduct contact tracing;
• Visitors will be allowed in schools; and
• Extracurricular activities and field trips will be allowed.

Please note that KCS will continue to make use of Chromebooks provided to all K-12 students through the district’s 1:1 initiative. In-person students should continue bringing their fully charged Chromebooks to class every day. 

I look forward to seeing students back in class for a half-day on Monday, Aug. 9!”