Kahok educators gathered at Fletcher Gymnasium to mark the start of the 2025-26 school year. District administrators provided updates and recognized staff achievements and years of service. A video introducing new certified staff was also shown.
Superintendent Dr. Skertich and Assistant Superintendent Brad Hyre addressed attendees, highlighting the importance of teachers in encouraging students’ personal growth. The district’s updated mission, vision, values, and Portrait of a Graduate were discussed, with “Envision. Empower. Achieve.” introduced as the new guiding phrase.
Educators are spending two days in meetings and presentations before students return on Wednesday.
The event included recognition for staff reaching thirty years of service and highlighted recipients of the 2025-26 Paraprofessional Kahoks Teaching Kahoks Scholarships. Joshua Scrum from Summit Elementary and Viridiana Perez from Collinsville Middle School each received a $1,000 scholarship toward becoming certified teachers in the district. The “Grow Our Own” program began in 2021 to encourage high school students and paraprofessionals to pursue teaching careers within Collinsville Community Unit School District #10, funded by donations, fundraising efforts, and payroll contributions through the Collinsville Area Community Foundation.
According to https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/, Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 serves schools across Madison and St. Clair counties including Summit Elementary School—where one scholarship recipient works—and Collinsville Middle School—where another recipient is based.
Illinois State Board of Education data shows that the district employs 418 teachers with an average salary of $60,392; most are women (81 percent), with no teacher exceeding ten absences annually (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student population is made up of 56 percent White students, 14.1 percent Black students, 24.1 percent Hispanic students, and 0.5 percent Asian students (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
In 2020, per-student spending in the district reached $16,872 for a total expenditure over $104 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
“Envision. Empower. Achieve.” is now our mantra,” according to district leadership during today’s gathering.
