Message from the Superintendent - Part 4
Illinois has historically lacked consistent funding systems to make school building maintenance and replacement as manageable as it should be. While neighboring states like Missouri, Iowa, and Indiana have long had more proactive approaches in place, Illinois has only recently begun to offer alternative funding opportunities.
The Knoxville High School, which opened in 2012, is an example of how multiple funding sources can come together to make a project possible. A state construction grant originally applied for in 1998 rose to the top of the list in 2010 and provided critical funding for the project. That grant contributed approximately $19 million, or about 58% of the total construction cost. Although detailed records are limited, the current junior high building was likely constructed through a similar program in the 1970s. That construction grant program is no longer funded, but it played a significant role in helping districts modernize their school buildings.
Around the same time the new high school was constructed, voters across Knox County approved a 1% sales tax on retail purchases. This tax is collected locally and distributed to school districts based on student enrollment. The Knoxville School District currently receives approximately $80,000 per month from this source. These funds are restricted to facility-related expenses and cannot be used for staffing or curriculum. Since implementation, the district has annually applied approximately $700,000 of these funds toward bond payments, significantly reducing the burden on property taxpayers.
Like most Illinois communities, Knoxville relies heavily on property taxes to fund its schools. At the same time, current taxpayers have carried relatively little of the original construction costs for the district’s existing buildings due to the prior grants and 1% sales tax funds.
So, what does this new construction project mean for Knoxville property taxpayers?
The district has taken several steps to minimize the impact on taxpayers:
Utilizing facility sales tax revenue: The Board remains committed to using these funds to offset what must be levied through property taxes. Currently, about $700,000 of the projected $1.375 million annual payment is covered this way, though that amount may fluctuate year to year.
Securing grant funding: The district has obtained two federal grants totaling $1 million to help reduce the overall cost of the project.
Locking in favorable financing: The district was able to secure a strong interest rate, lowering the total cost of borrowing over time.
For property taxpayers, the combined impact of new borrowing and refinancing existing debt is estimated to result in approximately a $0.50 increase to the tax rate.
It is also important to note that without this project, the district would need to invest approximately $15 million to bring the existing Mable Woolsey School building up to code. In either scenario, the district would incur significant costs and take on additional debt. This project not only modernizes district facilities, but it is also expected to generate long-term savings through improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.
Illinois has historically lacked consistent funding systems to make school building maintenance and replacement as manageable as it should be. While neighboring states like Missouri, Iowa, and Indiana have long had more proactive approaches in place, Illinois has only recently begun to offer alternative funding opportunities.
The Knoxville High School, which opened in 2012, is an example of how multiple funding sources can come together to make a project possible. A state construction grant originally applied for in 1998 rose to the top of the list in 2010 and provided critical funding for the project. That grant contributed approximately $19 million, or about 58% of the total construction cost. Although detailed records are limited, the current junior high building was likely constructed through a similar program in the 1970s. That construction grant program is no longer funded, but it played a significant role in helping districts modernize their school buildings.
Around the same time the new high school was constructed, voters across Knox County approved a 1% sales tax on retail purchases. This tax is collected locally and distributed to school districts based on student enrollment. The Knoxville School District currently receives approximately $80,000 per month from this source. These funds are restricted to facility-related expenses and cannot be used for staffing or curriculum. Since implementation, the district has annually applied approximately $700,000 of these funds toward bond payments, significantly reducing the burden on property taxpayers.
Like most Illinois communities, Knoxville relies heavily on property taxes to fund its schools. At the same time, current taxpayers have carried relatively little of the original construction costs for the district’s existing buildings due to the prior grants and 1% sales tax funds.
So, what does this new construction project mean for Knoxville property taxpayers?
The district has taken several steps to minimize the impact on taxpayers:
Utilizing facility sales tax revenue: The Board remains committed to using these funds to offset what must be levied through property taxes. Currently, about $700,000 of the projected $1.375 million annual payment is covered this way, though that amount may fluctuate year to year.
Securing grant funding: The district has obtained two federal grants totaling $1 million to help reduce the overall cost of the project.
Locking in favorable financing: The district was able to secure a strong interest rate, lowering the total cost of borrowing over time.
For property taxpayers, the combined impact of new borrowing and refinancing existing debt is estimated to result in approximately a $0.50 increase to the tax rate.
It is also important to note that without this project, the district would need to invest approximately $15 million to bring the existing Mable Woolsey School building up to code. In either scenario, the district would incur significant costs and take on additional debt. This project not only modernizes district facilities, but it is also expected to generate long-term savings through improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.
Attention: We will be hosting the Bullet Invite Track Meet next Monday, April 20th. Field events will begin at 4pm. This is a also Senior Night for our Senior Track athletes. The Senior Night ceremony will take place at the conclusion of the field events between 5-5:30pm. The ceremony will take place on the track in front of the home bleachers.
The KHS Boys track team will participate in the R.-W. H.S. Cougar Invite. The meet will begin at 3:30 p.m.. R-M H. S. 346 E. ROVA Drive Oneida, IL 61467
KHS Varsity baseball is at home this afternoon against West Prairie High School. 4:30 p,m. start time.
KHS Softball is at home this afternoon against the North Fulton. 4:30 p.m. start time for the Varsity, JV game to follow.
Attention: Todays JV baseball game originally scheduled to be played at ROWVA High School will now be played here in Knoxville. 4:30pm start time.
The KHS Track teams are at the Titan Invite this afternoon in Monmouth, IL. Field events will be begin at 3:45pm. The meet will take place at Carol F. “CP” Pullen Track, 500 South Sunny Lane, Monmouth, IL. 61462
KHS Softball is at home this afternoon against Brimfield High School. 4:30 p.m. start time for the Varsity, JV game to follow.
UPDATE: The KHS JV Baseball team will play R-W today at HOME at 4:30 p.m.. The game will be played Billy Notz Field 701 Mill St. Knoxville , IL 61448.
KHS Varsity Baseball will play a doubleheader with R-W H.S. tomorrow starting at 11 a.m.. The games will be played at Williamsfield H.S. 325 Kentucky Ave. Williamsfield, IL 61489.
KHS Track teams travel to the Lee Calhoun Invitational at Western Illinois University today. Field events begin at 11:30. Running events begin at 1 p.m.. This track meet will take place at W.I.U.'s Hansen Field 673 W. University Drive Macomb, IL 61455
Attention: The KHS baseball and softball games will be played at the Galva Park District fields at 213 SE 6th St, Galva, IL 61434.
The KHS Varsity Softball team plays Galva High School today at 4:30 p.m.. The softball games will be played on the field by the road at the Galva Park District 213 SE 6th St, Galva, IL 61434
KHS Baseball teams travel to Galva H. S. today. Varsity begins at 4:30 p.m. . JV game will follow. The baseball game will be played on the field near the swimming pool at the Galva Park District 213 SE 6th St, Galva, IL 61434.
Congratulations to KHS Senior Natalie Harshbarger on signing with John Wood Community College to continue her basketball career.
The KHS Varsity Baseball team will take on Kewanee H.S. today in Kewanee, IL . Game time will be 4:30 p.m.. The game will be played at Northeast Park, 1100 N Main St, Kewanee, IL 61443.
The KHS Varsity Softball team will take on Peoria Notre Dame H.S. today . Game time will be 4:30 p.m.. The game will be played at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex 8400 Orange Prairie Road Peoria, IL 61615.
KHS Coed Track & Field teams travel to the Wethersfield H.S. Meet today. The meet will begin at 4 p.m.. Wethersfield H.S. 439 Willard St. Kewanee, IL 61443.
Attention: Due to the poor field conditions, todays home baseball game against B-PC has been cancelled. An update will be sent out if a make-up date is found.