Lake County Gazette

Granite City Community Unit School District 9 (GCSD9) has started the 2025-2026 academic year with a new education delivery model for Pre-K through sixth grade. The district aims to create a more cohesive and supportive learning environment for its youngest students, according to Superintendent Donald J. Harris.

In a message to families, Harris stated, "Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! On behalf of the entire staff, I extend a warm welcome to both returning and new families. We are incredibly excited to begin this new school year and welcome your children back into our classrooms."

The superintendent highlighted that the shift in educational structure may bring changes in school assignments and schedules for some families but emphasized its goal of strengthening educational offerings and providing a more personalized approach. "Please be assured this new structure is designed to strengthen our educational offerings and provide a more personalized approach to learning. We are confident these changes will have a positive impact on student success," Harris said.

Harris also reiterated the district’s commitment to partnership with families and student safety: "Our commitment to your child’s success is unwavering. We believe that educational excellence is achieved through a strong partnership between the school district, our dedicated staff, and you, our families. Your involvement is crucial, and we look forward to working together to support every student's growth and development. We are also deeply committed to the safety and well-being of all students. We have rigorous procedures in place to ensure our schools are secure and nurturing places where children can thrive both academically and personally."

He encouraged ongoing communication between parents, teachers, and administrators: "As we embark on this new year, I want to emphasize the importance of communication. We encourage you to stay connected with your child's teachers and school administrators. Our staff is here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and celebrate your child’s achievements."

Families were directed to visit the district website at https://www.gcsd9.net/net for information such as supply lists, bus routes, and event calendars.

Granite City Community Unit School District 9 serves Madison County schools including Coolidge Junior High School, Frohardt Elementary School, Granite City High School, Grigsby Intermediate School, Maryville Elementary School, Mitchell Elementary School, Prather Elementary School, and Wilson Elementary School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), GCSD9 employs 320 teachers with an average salary of $67,898 before pension contributions; women make up 77 percent of faculty while men account for nearly 23 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district's student body is approximately 65 percent White, 16 percent Black, nearly 12 percent Hispanic, and less than one percent Asian (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In fiscal year 2020 GCSD9 spent $17,739 per student for a total expenditure exceeding $106 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

"I wish you all a successful and rewarding school year. Thank you for entrusting us with your children's education. We can't wait to see what this year holds for our students," Harris concluded.