A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
In the Knoxville Community School District, our mission is to provide every student with an exceptional learning environment with the resources they need to fulfill their potential and pursue their highest aspirations.
In recent years, we have followed a five-year Strategic Plan as a roadmap for improvements to our facilities, helping make the Knoxville community an even better place to call home.
The list of accomplishments completed in recent years includes:
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Building a new middle school
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Improving and expanding West Elementary
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Updating security and mechanical systems at Knoxville High School
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Renovating Randy Wilson Track
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Upgrading the baseball and softball complex
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Constructing new tennis courts
The next major project identified in our plan is addressing the many facility challenges that students and staff face every day at Northstar Elementary School.
EXPLORING SOLUTIONS
Northstar Elementary first welcomed students in 1960. In the decades since, the school has proudly served the community and undergone expansions and updates to become the 45,000 square-foot building we know today.
In 2024, district officials tasked Boyd Jones Construction with conducting a comprehensive facility assessment to determine the best course of action to address the challenges at Northstar. More than $22.5 million worth of deficiencies were identified as necessary for the school to meet current code requirements, including several that require repair within the next 1-5 years.
An advisory task force that includes community members was organized by the district to study the issues at Northstar. This group met multiple times throughout the spring and examined three options for the aging elementary school.
The first option was simply addressing the highest-priority needs at Northstar. The second option was a full-scale renovation of the school, with an addition that includes a gymnasium and classrooms.
The task force ultimately favored a third option: Sell the Northstar building and construct a new elementary school on undeveloped property in Knoxville’s Veterans District, at an estimated cost of $34 million.
Northstar has proudly served our community and educated generations of students. However, a new school will provide our young learners with a safe and exceptional environment that is conducive to 21st century education, continue to meet the vision outlined in our Strategic Plan, and enhance an area in our city targeted for development.
OUR PROPOSAL
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, voters who reside in the Knoxville Community School District will consider approving a $12.4 million general obligation bond referendum.
If the question on the ballot receives supermajority support of at least 60%, these funds will be used to construct a new school in the Veterans District for grades 2-5 and replace Northstar Elementary.
The proposed location of the new school would provide closer proximity and easier access to other KCSD facilities, community parks, athletic fields, and new housing developments.
The target size for the new school will be approximately 74,000 square feet. The school would also feature a new gymnasium that will be designed to provide community access outside of school hours and capable of accommodating youth events, tournaments, and more.
The transition to a new elementary school would also free up space at West Elementary for preschool students, allowing the district to eliminate the need to use portable buildings for our youngest learners in the future.
Northstar Elementary would not be demolished under this proposal, allowing it to be sold and continue serving the Knoxville community in a new manner. Among the options for redevelopment are senior or multi-family housing.
