Hamilton County students are selling Kids First Coupon Books again.
For the next two weeks, elementary school students will be selling the $10 booklets with more than 200 pages packed with deals from local businesses.
This is the 31st year of the an initiative, launched by the nonprofit Hamilton County Schools Fund for Excellence, which puts money toward local schools.
The schools keep $7 from each coupon book sold, which pays for technology upgrades, art supplies, playground equipment, and library books.
The remaining $3 goes to the Fund for Excellence, and covers program expenses and the nonprofit's other projects and annual honors banquet.
"Unlike other school fundraisers, the Kids First Coupon Book sale is produced in-house by the nonprofit Fund for Excellence, so all of the proceeds stay in Hamilton County for the benefit of our children and schools," said Superintendent Bryan Johnson in a statement. "The coupon book sale is an important fundraiser for the schools, enabling them to purchase important learning tools and school equipment."
The program has raised more than $15 million over the past 30 years for Hamilton County schools.
The 2018 book features deals from auto repair shops, restaurants, and even buy one, get one free coupons for several local attractions including the Creative Discovery Museum, the Hunter Museum and Rock City.
In 2016, Red Bank Elementary School principal Haley Brown said the program raised enough funds to replace a worn out public address system.
Fund For Excellence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity founded in 1988 to support public schools through fundraising and charitable contributions.
"I hope the community will join me in supporting our coupon book sale and make it a great success for our children this year," Johnson added.
Contact staff writer Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.