Knox County Profile

Knox County, Tennessee, was established in 1792. Knoxville, the county seat, was founded a year earlier in 1791 where the French Broad and Holston Rivers converge to form the Tennessee River. Knoxville is the largest city in East Tennessee and is the third largest in the state. It is located in a broad valley between the Cumberland Mountains to the northwest and the Great Smoky Mountains to the southeast. These two mountain ranges help provide a moderate, four season climate, with an annual average temperature of 58 degrees. There are 99.4 square miles in the City of Knoxville and 526 square miles in all of Knox County. Downtown Knoxville is 936 feet above sea level.

Agriculture, industry (including over 800 firms manufacturing such products as apparel, chemicals, food, machinery, and metals), tourism, and education provide employment for Knox County citizens. Major influences for growth and development include Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Atomic Energy Commission at nearby Oak Ridge, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the main campus of the University of Tennessee. Above all, Knox County’s single largest enterprise is its public school system.

A favorable cost of living, affordable housing, excellent health care, a low crime rate, cultural events, and a pleasant climate with nearby lakes and mountains contribute to making Knoxville an attractive place to settle.

Board Of Commissioners

Fiscally, the Knox County School System is dependent on the 19-member Knox County Board of Commissioners. Districts elect them for four-year terms. Their constituency includes all Knox County residents. Each year this body sets the county tax rate and officially adopts a school budget. This is normally accomplished by the fourth Monday in June. The Commissioners do not administer this budget or formulate school policy. Policy is made by the Board of Education and administered by the Superintendent of Schools and the administrative staff.

Board Of Education

The Knox County School System operates within policies set by a nine-member Board of Education. Board members are elected by district to four-year terms. Their constituency includes residents within Knox County (including the municipalities of Knoxville and Farragut). This body gives direction and leadership for all public schools within the county. The Board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Main Assembly Hall of the City/County Building, 400 Main Avenue, Knoxville. There are two monthly work sessions, the first is the Monday before the regular Board meeting and the second is the mid-month meeting which is held the 3rd Monday, both meetings begin at 5:00 p.m. and are held in the 1st Floor Board Room of the Andrew Johnson Building, 912 South Gay Street, Knoxville. Special meetings are scheduled as needed, and all meetings are open to the public.