Alcoa City Schools are the first in our area heading back to school Monday morning. They are followed soon after by Maryville City Schools.
Many of those families were out shopping for school supplies Sunday evening.
Even though It's only July, they are already in back to school mode.
When you've got three kids, like the Riley family, those supplies add up.
"Around 400 dollars by the time we finish with everything," said Betsy Riley, while shopping for school supplies Sunday.
The Riley family said they wish they could save nearly 10% during the Sales Tax Holiday the first weekend in August, but they can't wait until then.
"We actually have three children and it's a lot to get done," Riley said.
The Anderson family is in the same boat.
"It doesn't help me because the tax free [holiday] is usually after he's already started school. It benefits me to do it prior to," said Beth Anderson, parent of a Blount County School's student.
Both families think the tax break should be earlier.
The state law requires the holiday fall on the first weekend of August.
Middle Tennessee State Representative Mike McDonald (D-Portland) is pushing to move it to the last weekend in July instead.
The Rileys think it should be even sooner than that.
"Mid-summer, first of June that area," said Riley.
"I just like to be prepared and send him in with what he needs the first day," said Anderson.
So far, the effort in the Legislature hasn't gained traction to move the holiday sooner. But with Nashville Metro schools also starting before the first weekend in August, it's growing in popularity.
The tax free weekend is Friday, August 3 to Sunday, August 5.
The break applies to clothes and school supplies less than $100 and computers less than $1,500.