As we prepare to welcome students and their families back for the 2025–2026 school year, we would like to share a few changes that you will notice. While many familiar policies and benefits remain unchanged—such as the district’s dress code and free student admission to KCPS athletic events—there are a few important updates driven by new state legislation.
Two-Way Traceable Communication: Senate Bill 181
The most significant change is the implementation of Senate Bill 181, which requires all school-related communication between staff and students or guardians to be traceable and archived. As a result, Knox County Public Schools is now fully transitioning to ParentSquare, a secure and user-friendly communication platform for all district-related messaging.
Over the summer, coaches and extracurricular sponsors have successfully test-piloted ParentSquare during athletic activities, with positive feedback from families and staff. Starting this school year, all school-related communication—such as schedule changes, fundraiser flyers, game announcements, and other important updates—will be sent through ParentSquare and all two-way communication. Regular announcements will also be posted on typical sites such as website and social media.
Key features of ParentSquare include:
-
Instant alerts for families
-
App access on iPhone and Android devices
-
Web-based view for desktop users
-
Chat-like text messaging between staff, students, and guardians
-
Full visibility by the district to ensure accountability and transparency
Families who wish to allow certain communications with their child outside of the ParentSquare system—such as with a trusted coach or volunteer—must submit written consent to authorize that communication.
Moment of Silence: Senate Bill 19
Also new this year, Senate Bill 19 mandates that schools observe a daily moment of silence or reflection. Each school day will now begin with a quiet time lasting between one and two minutes. During this time, students will remain seated and silent, free to meditate, pray, or engage in any other non-disruptive activity of their choice.
This practice supports personal reflection and provides a calm, respectful start to each day.
Updates to Electronic Device Use
Minor wording changes were also made at the state level regarding student cell phone and electronic device use during the school day. These updates closely align with Knox County Public Schools’ existing policies. As such, families and students will see no major changes in this area.
Sexual Extortion
Senate Bill (SB) 73 , related to sexual extortion, was recently passed by the legislature and requires the district to provide the following information about sexual extortion to help ensure that parents/guardians have the resources they need to support their student(s) and protect them from being victimized (KRS 531.125).
Sexual Extortion is defined as:
- A person is guilty of sexual extortion when he or she communicates, through any means, a threat to:
(a) Injure the property or reputation of another person or commit violence against another person with the intent to coerce that person to:
- Engage in sexual conduct; or
- Produce, provide, or distribute any matter depicting that person engaging in sexual conduct or in a state of nudity or semi nudity; or
(b) Distribute any matter depicting another person engaged in sexual conduct or in a state of nudity or semi nudity with the intent to coerce that person to:
- Engage in sexual conduct;
- Produce, provide, or distribute any matter depicting that person engaging in sexual conduct or in a state of nudity or semi nudity;
- Provide the payment of money, property, services, or any other thing of value to the perpetrator; or
- Do any act or refrain from doing any act against his or her will.
The Kentucky Department of Education references these as two resources for parents and students:
What Parents Should Know About Sextortion
Take It Down – Remove Explicit Images
Student Handbook
All students and families will receive a copy of the official student handbook/code of conduct for the upcoming year either prior to or on the first day of school. It is important that you review this handbook with your child as it contains attendance policies, grading, positive behavior expectations, and other information to make their year a successful one.