CUSD4 Board Advances Construction, Expands CTE Opportunities at February Meeting

The Columbia Community Unit School District 4 Board of Education moved efficiently through a full agenda Thursday night, February 19, approving staffing updates, school calendars, construction progress milestones, and several governance items during a meeting that concluded just after 8:30 p.m.

Staffing Updates and Approvals

The board began by approving a consent agenda that included multiple staffing changes. Among the resignations were middle school paraprofessional Emma Zika, who is leaving to become a nanny; CMS Student Council sponsor Nicole Avise-Rouse; bus monitor Kelli Graves; and Scholar Bowl sponsor Christel Hughes, who is retiring at the end of the school year. Jill Dickerson also submitted her intent to retire, creating a vacancy for a 10-month high school secretary position.

Several employment updates were also approved. Steven Price, currently a bus monitor, is working toward earning his CDL to transition into a driver role. Whitney Rodenberg was granted maternity leave. Jeanne Reis and Nicole Avise-Rouse will serve as co-sponsors for Scholar Bowl next year, and Chloe Alexander will return as a volunteer high school cheer coach for the 2026–27 school year. Ellen Russell-Frederking was promoted to a tier two bus driver after two years of service.

All consent agenda items were approved unanimously.

Construction Progress at Columbia High School

Ryan Fuhler, project director with Poettker Construction, provided an update on the ongoing high school construction project.

Phase One is nearing completion, with final punch list items addressed in classrooms and the auditorium. Preparations are underway for the spring musical, Mamma Mia, scheduled for March 26. A community open house is planned for March 24 to showcase the new facilities ahead of the performance.

Phase Two continues to move forward, with the gym floor poured and the roof completed. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations are ongoing, and roofing work continues along the west corridor.

Phase Three, which includes asbestos removal, is scheduled to begin during April’s spring break while students are out of the building.

District leaders described the project as progressing smoothly despite early challenges, crediting strong project management and careful phasing that allows school operations to continue safely.

Student Success and School Highlights

Eagleview Elementary recently hosted its first “Caring Olympics,” featuring eight countries represented through class activities, parades, skits, and even a teacher bobsled race. An awards ceremony is set for February 27.

The school also celebrated strong academic growth, particularly in math benchmark data from fall to winter assessments, with increased movement into higher performance tiers.

Kindergarten enrollment for 2026–27 is now open, with community outreach efforts underway to support staffing projections.

At the high school level, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming continues to expand. Workforce Wednesday Lunch & Learns are drawing strong attendance, including 57 students at a recent session featuring a welder from Luhr Brothers.

The district is building partnerships with area employers, including David Mason and Associates, to support CAD instruction and internship opportunities. Micro-internships with Luhr Brothers will offer hands-on experience in diesel mechanics, welding, electricity, automotive work, and more. Discussions are also underway with the Collinsville Area Vocational Center to potentially expand programming beginning in the 2027–28 school year.

District leaders emphasized a focus on preparing students for real-world workforce entry through interview preparation and practical experiences offered year-round.

Calendar and Governance Actions

Board members unanimously approved an amended 2025–26 school calendar reflecting two snow days. The adjustment allows the last day of school to remain a half day on May 22, avoiding make-up days after Memorial Day.

The board also approved the 2026–27 school calendar. Highlights include parent-teacher conferences during the week of October 19, a full comp day on October 23, a full spring break week, and a teacher institute day following winter break. Board meeting dates for 2026–27 were also approved.

An updated intergovernmental agreement with Dupo School District was approved to continue electrical pathway coursework under new instructional staffing. Additionally, revised job descriptions for several district office roles were adopted following legal review.

Two midyear graduates who had been inadvertently omitted from December’s list were formally approved.

The board conducted a first reading of PRESS Issue 120 policy updates, flagging three policies for closer review before final adoption.

Executive Session and Personnel Action

Following executive session discussions related to personnel and student matters, the board unanimously approved the dismissal and non-renewal of a probationary teacher effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Overall, Thursday’s session reflected steady progress across facilities, academics, workforce development, and governance, as the district continues to balance growth, construction, and student opportunity.