Welcome Back to School!
In August 7th, we kicked off a brand-new school year as Knox County students returned for a half-day full of excitement. The buzz in our classrooms and hallways was contagious—students eager (I mean some of them were) to reconnect, teachers ready to inspire (maybe a little tired but still— yes!), and staff working hard (absolutely!) behind the scenes to make the day seamless. A huge THANK YOU to our incredible teachers, staff, and community partners whose dedication made this launch possible.
In this newsletter, you’ll find updates on:
📱 J-240 Wireless Communication Device Policy – what’s changing and why
💡 Gifted & Talented Programming – how services are evolving for advanced learners
💵 Federal Funding Request – advocating for needed resources in a time of uncertainty
📅 Next Board of Education Meeting – when and where to join us
They are sad about the changes!
📱 J-240 Wireless Communication Device Policy
This school year, Knox County Schools implemented an updated wireless communication device policy to help students stay present and engaged in the classroom. The policy sets clear expectations for when and how devices may be used, with guidelines on storage and disciplinary steps if needed. You can read the full policy here: KCS Wireless Communication Device Policy (J-240)
Policy — At a Glance
Students may bring personal devices to school but must keep them stored out of sight during the day. Use is only allowed for educational purposes (with authorization), emergencies, health needs, or if included in a student’s IEP/504/ILP. Misuse can result in confiscation, disciplinary action, or loss of device privileges. Note that district-issued devices like Chromebooks are exempt from these restrictions. In emergencies, families will hear from school leaders or the district’s official communication channels.
💡 Gifted & Talented Services Update
Knox County Schools is rolling out a new service model for Gifted & Talented students this year. GT-endorsed staff are now embedded in ELA and math teams, working alongside principals and teachers to provide advanced learning opportunities. A GT-endorsed case manager will attend every IEP meeting for gifted students to ensure services align with individual needs.
Classroom enrichment will typically be provided by a student’s current teacher—or another grade-level teacher—based on how intervention groups are organized. This approach strengthens services while giving teachers access to ready-to-use GT resources that go beyond “extra work,” emphasizing acceleration, deeper learning, and advanced thinking skills. Principals have been charged with making sure all staff are informed of these updates.
In addition, I am advocating for our policies to be updated so they reflect current best practices and explicitly recognize the needs of twice-exceptional (2e) students—those who are both gifted and have a disability.
If you have questions about the new model or feel that it is not meeting your child’s needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at katherine.bike@knoxschools.org.
💵 Federal Funding Resolution — Outcome
On August 7, 2025, I introduced a resolution urging the State of Tennessee to replace any future lost or frozen federal education dollars with state funds. The motion failed, 5-4, so this request will not move forward despite serious threats to funding for vital services in our public schools. Federal dollars (including IDEA, Title II, Title III, and Title IV) remain critical to literacy, special education, and well-rounded programs. I believe this was a missed opportunity and will continue advocating for the resources our students need.
Roll-Call Vote
District 1 – John Butler: Yes
District 2 – Anne Templeton: Yes
District 3 – Patricia Fontenot-Ridley: Yes
District 4 – Katherine Bike: Yes
District 5 – Lauren Morgan: No
District 6 – Betsy Henderson: No
District 7 – Steve Tripplett: No
District 8 – Travis Wright: No
District 9 – Kristi Kristy: No
📅 Next Board of Education Meeting
Mark your calendars! The Board of Education will hold a work session on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. and the regular session on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Both meetings will take place at the KCS Boardroom in Summer Place (500 W. Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville). These sessions are open to the public, and we welcome families and community members to attend or tune in online. The agendas for these meetings will be posted online this coming week.
🗓️ Annual Calendar Here
Congratulations to Albert Liu, our new student board representative! I am truly thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the selection committee. It was an honor to contribute to the process of choosing such a promising and dedicated student leader.