KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — The Knox County Board of Education on Oct. 2 approved a broad package of policy updates, grants, vendor contracts and facility resolutions and fund designations during its regular meeting.

The board approved second readings of several board policies, first readings of others, an arts grant, multiple vendor contracts for services and materials, and fund balance designations for capital projects and equipment. Most motions were made by Board member Triplett and seconded by Board member Henderson; items were adopted on voice votes unless otherwise noted.

Why it matters: The measures authorize routine governance and procurement actions that affect classroom technology, facilities maintenance and vendor services across the district.

What the board approved (high-level):
- Policy updates: Second readings approved for Policy B180 (Public Forum), B210 (School Board Records) and I171 (Interscholastic Athletics), and approvals or first readings for multiple policies covering topics including student progress, interrogations and searches, policy development, academic acceleration, gifted and talented programs, extracurricular activities and internet safety (policy identifiers listed below). The board adopted these as amended.

- Grants and programs: The board approved Tennessee Arts Commission student ticket subsidy grants totaling $71,760.

- Contracts and procurement: The board approved an opt-in E-rate consortium agreement with United Data Technologies for managed internet access and related services at an approximate annual cost of $680,000; a contract with Central Technologies for an access control system at an approximate annual cost of $125,000 (term 11/1/2025–10/31/2028 with two one‑year options); and two contracts with Skilled Services Quality Construction LLC for floor tile installation (up to $200,000 annually for 2026, extendable up to four additional years) and larger construction services (up to $750,000 annually for 2026, extendable up to four additional years).

- Fund balance designations: The board approved fund balance designations totaling $9,453,183 to cover student and staff technology devices and interactive panels, KAEC roof replacement, contractor pay, work-based learning construction and other projects. The board voted first on a grouped set of items and then considered UT Tower Plaza level construction separately.

- Property and planning actions: The board approved resolutions to surplus small parcels on school campuses to facilitate city and state pedestrian projects, approved schematic designs for Innovative School Models grant projects at East Magnet High School, Fulton High School and West Valley Middle School, and approved the appointment of a revised collaborative conferencing management team.

How votes were taken: Most items were approved on voice votes after motions and seconds by board members; the meeting record states "Motion carries" after each voice vote. Where detailed roll-call results were recorded in the transcript (see separate item on UT Tower Plaza), they are noted in that item’s record.

Details and next steps: Approved contracts list terms and estimated annual costs as noted above and in the meeting agenda. Funded projects will proceed under the district’s capital planning and procurement timelines. For the UT Tower Plaza construction, the board removed that item from the initial fund-balance grouping for separate discussion (see separate article). Unspent funds from projects would roll back into the district fund balance, district staff said.

Ending: The board’s consent and action package reflect routine governance and capital maintenance activity. Several items will proceed to implementation; the district will return to the board for further approvals or reporting as required by policy and applicable procurement rules.