Due to the poor road conditions, especially in the rural areas, there will be NO SCHOOL Tuesday - March 17, 2026 for Knoxville CUSD #202. Please stay safe!
Due to the predicated weather conditions, there will be NO SCHOOL tomorrow, Monday, March 16th for Knoxville CUSD #202.
Message from the Superintendent
The Knoxville Community Unit School District will soon embark on a new era. In August of 2023, the district architect at the time performed what is called a “Ten Year Health and Life Safety Survey”. These surveys, as the name indicates, are state mandated every ten years to ensure that public schools maintain healthy and safe environments for students. These inspections cover every inch of the buildings and often bring to light issues that teachers and administrators don’t know or think about. Buildings can be “grandfathered” to code changes based on their age and purpose. It is important for districts to maintain and keep their buildings in great shape - there is seldom, if ever, a greater one time investment for a school district than its physical buildings.
Mable Woolsey Elementary School was built in 1962 to serve the community of Knoxville. At the time, the district also was home to the Gilson Elementary, Delong Elementary, Appleton Elementary, and at some point Raymond Marquith Elementary schools. All of those buildings are long since off the district’s roll. Realize too that Mable Woolsey was built at a time when 2 electrical outlets and air conditioning in a room were “extras”. There was no internet to communicate with parents, staff, and the world. There were only a handful of special education spaces needed, We had no full time nurse, counselors, or interventionists. The building went through several updates and transformations with the original kindergarten addition taking place at the end of its first decade, the West end kindergarten/media center addition in 2001, and the addition of the East end 4th grade wing in 2009. As great and functional as those additions were at the time, they too have reached peak potential in many ways.
Upon completion of the inspection, a 10 year survey amendment was filed with the Illinois State Board of Education. That amendment lists all of the work items/violations of code and attaches an estimated cost. Upon the filing in August of 2023, Mable Woolsey Elementary needed a facelift to the tune of $14,000,000. Items on the list are ranked into 3 categories based on how urgent they need to be completed. Many of the items were obligated to be completed within 5 years. So, if no items were to be addressed at all, the district would be expected to close the building at the beginning of the 2029-2030 school year.
Given the amount of major items within that list, the administration and the board at the time realized that putting that kind of money into an already aging building wouldn’t avoid another huge price tag after the next 10 years were up. So, the district responsibles sought to find a way to replace our outdated and suffering elementary fixture. She served us well, but her time to retire is soon upon us. Over the last year, the board has met with architects, construction managers, financiers, teachers and staff to determine what the best course of action might be for the future of Knoxville Elementary students.
In short, the Knoxville CUSD 202 is going to build a new school building and demolish the Mable Woolsey Elementary School. Over the next few weeks, we’ll share with you the steps and processes that the administration and board have gone through to begin to make this concept of replacement a reality. We’ll then show you what decisions have been made and where we stand in the design phase of this project as well as how it will impact the community and the taxpayer. Finally, we’ll lay out the timeline for construction and how the students will be introduced into their new spaces.
The Knoxville Community Unit School District will soon embark on a new era. In August of 2023, the district architect at the time performed what is called a “Ten Year Health and Life Safety Survey”. These surveys, as the name indicates, are state mandated every ten years to ensure that public schools maintain healthy and safe environments for students. These inspections cover every inch of the buildings and often bring to light issues that teachers and administrators don’t know or think about. Buildings can be “grandfathered” to code changes based on their age and purpose. It is important for districts to maintain and keep their buildings in great shape - there is seldom, if ever, a greater one time investment for a school district than its physical buildings.
Mable Woolsey Elementary School was built in 1962 to serve the community of Knoxville. At the time, the district also was home to the Gilson Elementary, Delong Elementary, Appleton Elementary, and at some point Raymond Marquith Elementary schools. All of those buildings are long since off the district’s roll. Realize too that Mable Woolsey was built at a time when 2 electrical outlets and air conditioning in a room were “extras”. There was no internet to communicate with parents, staff, and the world. There were only a handful of special education spaces needed, We had no full time nurse, counselors, or interventionists. The building went through several updates and transformations with the original kindergarten addition taking place at the end of its first decade, the West end kindergarten/media center addition in 2001, and the addition of the East end 4th grade wing in 2009. As great and functional as those additions were at the time, they too have reached peak potential in many ways.
Upon completion of the inspection, a 10 year survey amendment was filed with the Illinois State Board of Education. That amendment lists all of the work items/violations of code and attaches an estimated cost. Upon the filing in August of 2023, Mable Woolsey Elementary needed a facelift to the tune of $14,000,000. Items on the list are ranked into 3 categories based on how urgent they need to be completed. Many of the items were obligated to be completed within 5 years. So, if no items were to be addressed at all, the district would be expected to close the building at the beginning of the 2029-2030 school year.
Given the amount of major items within that list, the administration and the board at the time realized that putting that kind of money into an already aging building wouldn’t avoid another huge price tag after the next 10 years were up. So, the district responsibles sought to find a way to replace our outdated and suffering elementary fixture. She served us well, but her time to retire is soon upon us. Over the last year, the board has met with architects, construction managers, financiers, teachers and staff to determine what the best course of action might be for the future of Knoxville Elementary students.
In short, the Knoxville CUSD 202 is going to build a new school building and demolish the Mable Woolsey Elementary School. Over the next few weeks, we’ll share with you the steps and processes that the administration and board have gone through to begin to make this concept of replacement a reality. We’ll then show you what decisions have been made and where we stand in the design phase of this project as well as how it will impact the community and the taxpayer. Finally, we’ll lay out the timeline for construction and how the students will be introduced into their new spaces.
Due to a bus driver shortage today, Friday - March 13th, students that ride Bus #20 will be dropped off approximately 20-25 minutes late. Sorry for the inconvenience and have a great weekend.
Just a friendly reminder - Early Dismissal on Friday, March 13th!
Due to the potential for severe weather this evening, the CCLC after school program has been CANCELLED for today. Thank you!
As a reminder, Miles of Smiles permission forms are due tomorrow, February 17th. Please ensure your child's form is signed as needed.
The deadline for Miles of Smiles consent forms has been extended to February 17th!
Attached is the updated 2025-2026 district calendar to reflect the three (3) emergency days that the district had to utilize. As of today, January 27th, the last student attendance day for the 25/26 school year will be May 28, 2026.
Knoxville CUSD #202 is hiring!
Please visit www.bluebullets.org to gain access to the online application and job descriptions.
Please visit www.bluebullets.org to gain access to the online application and job descriptions.
Due to the dangerously cold temperatures expected for tomorrow, Knoxville CUSD #202 will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026. Please stay safe and stay warm!
Our messaging system is currently experiencing some delays with phone alerts, which means you might receive your notification a little later today than usual.
Due to the extreme forecasted temperatures, Knoxville CUSD #202 will be closed on Friday, January 23, 2026. Please stay safe and stay warm!
Below is a list of the Knox County Warming Centers:
**Knoxville Fire Station - 137 N. Public Square, Knoxville
**Galesburg Public Library - 264 W Main St., Galesburg (Fri & Sat 9am-5pm)
**Knox County YMCA - 1324 W Carl Sandburg Dr., Galesburg (Fri 6am-5pm, Sat 6am-5pm)
**Knox County Housing Authority Shelter - 525/527 Iowa Ct., Galesburg (Daily: 24 Hours)
**Galesburg Public Safety Building - 150 S. Broad St, Galesburg (Daily: 24 Hours)
**The Bridge - 510 N Kellogg St, Galesburg (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
**Williamsfield Fire Station - 200 E. Gale St, Williamsfield (Fri 1/24 - Sun 1/25: 24 Hours)
**Oneida Fire Station - 210 N. Sage St, Oneida (Thurs 1/22 - Sun 1/25: 24 Hours)
**Wataga Fire Station - 310 W. Willard St, Wataga (Thurs 1/22 - Sun 1/25: 24 Hours)
Below is a list of the Knox County Warming Centers:
**Knoxville Fire Station - 137 N. Public Square, Knoxville
**Galesburg Public Library - 264 W Main St., Galesburg (Fri & Sat 9am-5pm)
**Knox County YMCA - 1324 W Carl Sandburg Dr., Galesburg (Fri 6am-5pm, Sat 6am-5pm)
**Knox County Housing Authority Shelter - 525/527 Iowa Ct., Galesburg (Daily: 24 Hours)
**Galesburg Public Safety Building - 150 S. Broad St, Galesburg (Daily: 24 Hours)
**The Bridge - 510 N Kellogg St, Galesburg (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
**Williamsfield Fire Station - 200 E. Gale St, Williamsfield (Fri 1/24 - Sun 1/25: 24 Hours)
**Oneida Fire Station - 210 N. Sage St, Oneida (Thurs 1/22 - Sun 1/25: 24 Hours)
**Wataga Fire Station - 310 W. Willard St, Wataga (Thurs 1/22 - Sun 1/25: 24 Hours)
Check your students' belongings for Miles of Smiles permission forms. If your student has not yet received one, a form should go home with them before the end of the week. Miles of Smiles is a free dental service offered to all students. The service will be available for Knoxville Students May 12-13 and will take place at Mable Woolsey. Forms need to be returned by Friday, February 6th. Please call or email nurse Jessica if you have any questions.
Please see the update from Nurse Jess regarding current student illnesses.
https://www.canva.com/design/DAG_FFZtobE/l8mZQ0xCLdCXaH47ZVgJEw/view?utm_content=DAG_FFZtobE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h9741751514
The Knoxville Board of Education has approved the 2026-2027 district calendar.
All Knoxville School District buildings will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026 in observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Please be advised that Knoxville High School will be closed tomorrow, December 30, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM as local emergency personnel conduct a training on campus.
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our local police departments for their continued support and dedication to keeping our schools and community safe. We appreciate their partnership and commitment to safety.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we support this important safety initiative.
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our local police departments for their continued support and dedication to keeping our schools and community safe. We appreciate their partnership and commitment to safety.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we support this important safety initiative.
Due to poor driving conditions, especially secondary roads, there will be NO SCHOOL for Knoxville CUSD #202 today, Friday December 12, 2025.
The Knoxville Booster Club will meet this Sunday, December 7th at 6pm in the Community Room at Big Catz. They are looking for new members to help with not only the Knoxville student athletes but also student activity groups such as: Drama, FCCLA, FFA, etc.
