Retaining Control

Classroom chairs

A bill with major Republican support would modify the third-grade retention law but still threaten many students with being held back.

Broom Brigade

Photo of a person using a wetvac to clean a floor.

Facing a chronic custodian shortage, Knox County Schools aims to hire $1 million worth of outside help. But what’s the long-term solution?

Retention Rate

Lissa McLeod

A state law could lead to more than 2,500 Knox County third-graders being held back because of a single reading score.

Multiple Traumas

Evetty Satterfield and Jennifer Owen

While planning for emergence from the pandemic, the school board confronts the aftermath of another student’s violent death.

School Board Mulls Masks

Susan Horn and Virginia Babb

As some parents ask for an end to face coverings for students, most board members are wary of making changes.

Mixed Signals

Hugh Nystrom and Kyle Ward

In County Commission and school board primaries, voters ousted two incumbents and kept three more.