Knox County Schools releases budget with increase to teacher wages to align with new state law
By Erin Rogers – Published: May. 1, 2025 at 10:32 AM CDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Following the approval of the Knox County Schools annual budget, there has been much conversation surrounding the teacher salary increase.
The Teacher Paycheck Protection Act, a law signed by Governor Bill Lee in 2023, aims to raise teacher salaries to a minimum of $50,000 a year by the 2026-27 school year. It’s prompted school systems to boost teacher pay across the state.
Previous coverage: Knox County Schools passes $700M budget proposal that includes millions for teacher salaries
And because of this law, Knox County allocated 67% of the $700.5 million budget to salaries and wages for those who work for KCS.
Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee JC Bowman said this is a step in the right direction for educators, adding that the increase is hopefully going to make an impact on staffing and retention for teachers across the state.
“Teachers who stay long, the kids do better. Getting them into the field is one thing, keeping them there is the next thing,” Bowman said.
“People come in, they teach for two or three years and then they get out of the field,” Bowman said, addressing current teacher hiring. “So, by the time they are broadening their craft and learning how to be a teacher, they are leaving the field. And that hurts kids and that hurts progress for children.”
However, the increase was not all he had hoped for.
“The state has done a great job at trying to increase [salaries], but they have not kept up with the rate of inflation over the years,” Bowman said.
Bowman said the increase, while beneficial, would attract more candidates if it were higher.
“We’re grateful for it, but we also look at other professions and wait a minute, they’re doing better, why are we still behind?” Bowman said.
Another cost to teachers: school supplies.
The Knox County budget also included a section designated to “Supplies and Materials.” That portion, 4% of the overall budget, doesn’t necessarily go to classroom supplies, however. The bulk of the allotted money however goes towards utilities such as gas and electric.
Bowman said that Professional Educators of Tennessee has performed studies on the amount spent by on supplies, much of it coming from the teachers own pocket.
“One of the studies, if I recall, was like $1,200 out of pocket. We only get $200 from the state. I mean, it’s nowhere near enough to cover it,“ Bowman said.
