Schools across the state have been stepping up to provide assistance to flood relief efforts in East Tennessee after flooding from Hurricane Helene left at least 15 people dead and many others homeless throughout the region. 

When Tennessee Governor Bill Lee unveiled the details of the $100 million Helene Emergency Assistance Loans (HEAL) Program in a press conference Thursday afternoon, a reporter asked whether he might be willing to dip into the unused funding for his vouchers program. The Governor did not seem interested despite $144 million in voucher funding sitting unused.

Knox County Schools (KCS) leaders continued to hear from parents about school safety concerns at Thursday’s regular Board of Education meeting, following last month’s threats against the East Tennessee school district.

Knox County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk announced Monday that the district will provide assistance to school systems impacted by flooding from Hurricane Helene.

Learn more about how the Tennessee school district plans to help neighboring districts: