Knox County Schools to Reopen After Winter Storms, but Safety Remains a Priority
Knox County Schools will be closed again on Tuesday, February 4th, with a two-hour delay for students. This decision comes as a result of the lingering snow and ice on roads and sidewalks, particularly on hills, shaded areas, and bus routes. The weekend storm brought heavy snowfall, ranging from 4 to 6 inches, and while main roads are clear, secondary streets remain icy in some areas.
The safety of students and staff is paramount, and the school district's spokesperson, Carly Harrington, emphasized the importance of addressing the remaining snow and ice. She stated that maintenance and custodial teams will report to work on a two-hour delay to clear snow and ice from parking lots, sidewalks, entrances, and bus loading areas, ensuring the schools are safe and ready for operation.
Knox County provides essential materials, such as bulk salt, to the school district when requested. However, the district has a robust maintenance force capable of clearing school sidewalks and parking lots independently. This approach allows Knox County teams to focus on clearing main roads, with the district handling the right-of-way areas.
According to Jim Snowden, the county Engineering and Public Works Director, the main roads are in good shape, and approximately 80% of the major collectors are clear. However, residential streets still pose challenges, with around 30-40% covered in snow and ice. The city of Knoxville's snow-clearing plan, as explained by Public Service Director Rachel Butzler, focuses on treating all roads in an organized manner, but parking lots are not included.
Knox County Schools employs a blanket approach to school closures, prioritizing the safety of the approximately 30,000 students who rely on school buses. This will be the fourth snow day for the district, which allocates eight days in its calendar for weather-related issues. Many other East Tennessee school districts are also closed, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville has resumed normal operations after virtual classes on January 26-27 and February 2.
Keenan Thomas, the higher education reporter for Knox News, encourages readers to support local journalism by subscribing to the website. The school district's decision to close again highlights the ongoing challenges posed by winter storms and the importance of prioritizing student safety during such events.
