KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox County Schools is using all of its inclement weather days after it announced it would be announced schools would be closed on Wednesday. From Jan. 12 through Jan. 23, schools have been closed in Knox County after strong winds and a winter storm that froze roads and dumped several inches of snow across the Knoxville area.
Leaders said in a press conference that the safety of children was KCS' top priority. More than 60,000 students go to school in the district, and if the district needs to close again later this school year, it may need to extend the school year.
"We made a decision to close schools again tomorrow, due to unsafe road conditions in neighborhoods and subdivisions. And that's where the majority of our students live, obviously," said Jon Rysewyk, the county's superintendent. "There's really no mechanical measure that's going to fix this. We really need a little help from Mother Nature to get the temperatures up."
KCS also said around two-thirds of its campuses are safe for students to return to, but it's still waiting for the rest to thaw out.
"The majority of our main roads aren't clear. However, student access to bus stops are typically not on main roads," said Dr. Garfield Adams, KCS Assistant Superintendent of Academics.
A parent in Knox County said between an extended weekend and eight inclement weather days, his children have not had a place to go. He also said after 12 straight days off from school, his kids are eager to return to class.
"Between grandmother's house and they're hanging out with me working from home., that's pretty much what it's been last week," said Anthony Cespedes. "Later on in the week, he was getting bored of the snow. He was like, 'Oh my gosh, I want to go back to school.'"
At the same time, he said he understood KCS' decision to keep schools closed.
"While West Knoxville might look all wonderful on the roads, the schools are halfway plowed. North Knoxville, East Knoxville probably don't have that luxury. So, I would hate for a bus full of kids over in Powell to run off the road because of a patch of ice," he said.
KCS staff said with all inclement weather days now used up, they will present a plan to the Board of Education on how they can make up the days without affecting families.