Registered voters don’t have to wait until November 4 to cast a ballot! 🗳️
In-person absentee voting is now available through your county auditor’s office weekdays during regular business hours until November 3. A valid ID is required.
Registered voters who wish to receive a mailed absentee ballot can complete a request form and return it to their county auditor’s office until October 20. Ballots must be received by the auditor’s office before the polls close on election day to be considered for counting.
On the ballot is a $12.4 million general obligation bond for KCSD. If approved by voters, these funds would be used to build a new school in the Veterans District to replace Northstar Elementary.
Learn more: https://www.knoxvillebond.org
The estimated cost of building a new school to replace Northstar Elementary is $34 million.
On November 4, KCSD residents will consider approving a $12.4 million general obligation bond. The remaining two-thirds of the project cost would be funded by borrowing against future state sales tax revenue we receive from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education fund (SAVE).
By using a combination of general obligation bonds and SAVE revenue, we can complete this project and only place a fraction of the financial burden on KCSD residents.
See architect renderings and learn more about the bond referendum at https://www.knoxvillebond.org.
Since 2019, we have invested more than $527,000 in basic maintenance projects at Northstar Elementary. However, the school was built in the 1960s, and as it ages, it becomes more costly to maintain.
A building assessment completed by architects and engineers in 2024 identified more than $22.5 million in deficiencies at Northstar that require repair within the next five years. By comparison, the estimated cost of a new school is $34 million.
The School Board and administration believe investing limited financial resources in Northstar is not a sound long-term solution. A new school will provide our students with a safe and modern learning environment in line with our Strategic Plan.
You can find answers to FAQs and more information about the November 4 bond issue by visiting https://www.knoxvillebond.org.
On November 4, KCSD residents will vote on a $12.4 million general obligation bond that, if approved by at least 60% of voters, will allow us to build a new school to replace the outdated Northstar Elementary.
Finding a long-term solution to the challenges at Northstar is the next major project in our Strategic Plan, which guides our facility planning. We would use bond revenue and state sales tax funds to pay for the proposed project.
The new elementary school would be located in the Veterans District, and Northstar would not be demolished. We intend to sell the school after it’s vacated, allowing it to be redeveloped for a new use (such as housing).
Architect renderings, answers to FAQs, and more information about the bond issue are available at https://www.knoxvillebond.org.
More celebrations this Friday: our incredible Information Technology team! From keeping our devices running smoothly to solving tech troubles big and small, they make sure our staff and students are always connected and supported. We appreciate all they do every single day!
It's Friday! Let's celebrate our amazing custodial team! Their hard work keeps our school safe, clean, and welcoming for students and staff every single day. We are so grateful for all they do behind the scenes to make a big difference!
Interested in being part of the cast? Mark your calendar for October 13 and attend the auditions at Celebrate Community Church!
The maximum possible tax impact from an approved bond issue in November would be $0.43 per $1,000 of taxable property value. For a home in the Knoxville Community School District worth $200,000, this would amount to approximately $38.71 per year.
The goal of the School Board and administration is for the proposed bond to be tax-neutral, which is in line with current financial projections.
You can find a property tax calculator and more information about the potential tax impact at https://www.knoxvillebond.org/taxes.
We’re hosting a community meeting TONIGHT to provide information about the November bond referendum to replace Northstar Elementary with a new school. 📣
The meeting will begin at 6:00pm at Northstar. Tours of the school will be available at 7:00pm.
The proposed plan to build a new school for students in grades 2-5 is the result of a planning process that included an assessment of Northstar by architects and engineers, along with the creation of an advisory task force that included community members.
Learn more about the bond issue on the November 4 ballot and the possibilities it presents at https://www.knoxvillebond.org.
Please make plans to attend our next community meeting on Wednesday, September 24, and learn more about KCSD’s proposal to build a new school to replace Northstar Elementary.
The meeting will begin at 6:00pm at Northstar with tours available at 7:00pm. This will be an opportunity to learn about the challenges our students and staff face each day at Northstar and ask questions.
Northstar Elementary has proudly served generations of students for 65 years, but facility assessments identified more than $22.5 million worth of deficiencies on site. With an approved bond on Tuesday, November 4, KCSD would build a new facility for grades 2-5 in the Veterans District.
More information about the bond proposal, including answers to FAQs, can be found at https://www.knoxvillebond.org
2025 Homecoming 🖤💛
Just wanted to send out a reminder and invitation about upcoming Homecoming events this week -
Thu, Sep. 18
* 615 PM: Pep Rally/Coronation/Powderpuff Football/Ironman Volleyball
We will also have the kick-off to the Knoxville Cancer Relay! There will be food trucks on Panther Drive at approximately 500 PM.
The barricades that are normally up on Panther Drive for home football games will be set out at 300 PM.
Fri, Sep. 19
* 300 PM: Homecoming Parade
* 445 PM: 9th grade football game
* 610 PM: Panther Walk
* 700 PM: Homecoming Court recognition
* 730 PM: Varsity football game
A reminder that students 5th grade and younger coming to the football games (and all home KCSD activity events) need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian/adult.
Go Panthers!
Ryan Paulsen
Activities Director
Knoxville Community Schools
🎟 Ticket Punched!! Congratulations to Bridgette Liston & Jordyn Counts on qualifying for the Class 1A State Tennis Tournament! 🎾🏆
They will be in the Doubles Bracket in Iowa City October 1-2!
West Elementary is looking for a special education associate/paraeducator to join their team! Please visit the following website to apply:
https://knoxville.schoolspring.com/#aJobListings
In the Knoxville Community School District, we follow our Strategic Plan when it comes to making improvements to facilities. The list of projects completed in recent years includes:
✅ Building a new middle school
✅ Improving and expanding West Elementary
✅ Updating security and mechanical systems at KHS
✅ Renovating Randy Wilson Track
✅ Upgrading the baseball and softball complex
✅ Constructing new tennis courts
On Tuesday, November 4, KCSD residents will vote on a $12.4 million bond referendum. If it’s approved by at least 60% of voters, these funds will support a plan to construct a new school in the Veterans District to replace Northstar Elementary.
More details about this proposal are available here: https://www.knoxvillebond.org
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, residents of the Knoxville Community School District will consider approving a $12.4 million general obligation bond referendum. These funds would be used to build a new school to replace Northstar Elementary.
The school would be located in the Veterans District, providing closer proximity and access to other schools, community parks, athletic fields, and new housing developments.
Northstar Elementary would not be demolished under this proposal, allowing it to be sold and continue serving the community in a new way.
Find answers to frequently asked questions and more information by visiting https://www.knoxvillebond.org.
KCSD is looking for compassionate, dedicated individuals to join our team as Special Education Associates & Associate Substitutes! These important team members support students with unique needs and help create a positive, inclusive learning environment. If you’re ready to make a meaningful difference each day, apply today!
Have you or your business ever wanted to be a part of a parade? Well, here is your chance! The Knoxville Student Senate Members and their fearless leaders, Rhonda and Whitney, are inviting you to participate in the 2025 Homecoming Parade!
If interested please fill out THIS FORM.
Deadline is Wednesday September 10th.
If you have any questions (or need a pdf version of the form) please email student.senate@kcsd.k12.ia.us.
We look forward to another great event this year!🖤💛🖤
