With more than 120 armed uniformed officers, the KCS school safety department is one of the largest in Tennessee. The team is headed by Chief of Security Carlo Granillo, who reports to Assistant Superintendent of Operations Dr. Garfield Adams.
Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk assembled the leadership team for school safety at a back-to-school press conference. Video here.
Rysewyk said the department follows three key strategies:
- Placing a highly-trained, armed safety officer in every school;
- Developing individualized safety plans that reflect the unique needs of each school; and
- Taking every threat seriously – and encouraging every student, staff member and family to speak up if they see something concerning.
“Our work is ongoing, with a constant focus on preparation, awareness and the safety of every school in the district.”
Law enforcement partners include the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the Knoxville Police Department, the TN Highway Patrol, the FBI, the state and federal departments of homeland security plus others.
Hero’s Hill opens Thursday
Glenn Jacobs
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs will host a ribbon-cutting for one of his signature projects – Hero’s Hill, tiny houses for unhoused veterans. The event is 11 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Public Defender’s Office, 1101 Liberty Street.
Speakers include: U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett • KCS Superintendent Jon Rysewyk • VA Associate Director of Operations Jonah Seymore • VA Commissioner Tommy Baker • TDEC Commissioner David Salyers • HUD Director Walter Perry • Knox County Public Defender Eric Lutton • and KCDC Executive Director Ben Bentley.
When Jacobs launched the initiative in August 2025, he said 140 military service veterans are experiencing homelessness in Knox County. His goal was to create up to 20 tiny homes and a community center to serve as the heart of the development.
Knox County Schools pitched in through various high schools’ 865 Academies. Our story about Farragut High’s program is here. Through this effort the students gained real-world construction skills. Building supplies were donated by D.R. Horton and others. In fact, Jacobs exceeded his goal of $1.2 million that bought appliances for the community center and the tiny homes; computer lab and fitness center; garden space and landscaping; outdoor pavilion with furnishings; furniture and soft goods for each home; and a veterans’ ongoing support fund. The community kicked in $1.3 million.
In memoriam
Today we note three retired educators who passed away recently. If a reader knows of others, please drop us a note at news@knoxtntoday.com/.
Rikki Alexander
Rikki Ella Roach Alexander of Lenoir City passed away on August 17, 2026, at age 76. Rikki graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s, master’s, and 45 hours of her doctorate degrees, all in English. She taught students at all levels from elementary grades to junior college in Alabama to high school in South Carolina. Locally, she taught at West Valley Middle School and Tusculum College. Services were held on August 22 in Loudon. Obituary is here.
Brenda Liford
Brenda Mae Liford of Knoxville passed away on August 19, 2026, at age 70. She taught at Riverdale Elementary, Ramsey Elementary, Carter Elementary, Carter Middle and Karns Middle schools. She was also the assistant principal at Karns Middle School. She was preceded in death by her spouse of 39 years, Tom Liford, and is survived by her special friend, Jeanni Griggs. Services were August 25 at Woodlawn Cemetery. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home. Obituary is here.
Evelyn Reagan
Mary Evelyn Reagan of Sevier County passed away on August 22, 2026, at age 83. Hers is a remarkable story. After losing her mother at age 12, she was placed in a home for children in Cleveland, Tennessee. She then managed to work through Berea High School in Kentucky, two years at Hiwassee Junior College, and then Tennessee Tech for a degree in education. Along the way, she moved to Gatlinburg and met Herbert Reagan. The two were married after her graduation and remained wed for 60 years, with two sons and two grandchildren. Ms. Reagan taught second grade in Sevier County for 38 years. During her tenure she earned post-graduate degrees from LMU and Tusculum College. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 27, from 3:30-5:45 p.m. at Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville. The funeral will follow at 6 p.m. Obituary is here.
Notes & quotes
Laura Pinkston, independent candidate for Tennessee governor, will host a family-friendly back-to-school picnic at West Hills Park today (8/26/26) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and share the issues that matter most to them. The free event will include food, face painting and shaved ice and is open to the public.
Masters Masonic Fish Fry is Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 4 p.m. until all the fish is gone. Meal includes fried fish, baked beans, hush puppies and more. Cost is $12; children 12 and younger eat for free. University of Tennessee basketball legend Tony White will be on hand for photos and autographs. Powell Lodge #244 is at 7700 Fersner Road, Powell.
Knox Asian Festival is Sunday, August 30, 2026, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at World’s Fair Park. Tickets and details here.
Outdoor Knoxville lists hundreds of activities, many free, all outdoors.
Quote: “I never, ever get involved in politics. With politics you are not allowed to be honest. I don’t have time to deal with that. I would rather work with kids.” – Dolly Parton, who founded Imagination Library and donated enough to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital to get her name on the building.
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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes daily at KnoxTNToday – the Let’s Talk series includes topics of law, neighbors, schools, leaders and outdoors. Enjoyed this article? Read more Let’s Talk – Schools .
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