Lake County Gazette

Granite City Community Unit School District #9 has announced a public hearing scheduled for November 18, 2025, regarding its e-Learning Plan for the school years 2025-2026 through 2027-2028.

The district will implement an approved e-Learning Program in accordance with Section 10-19.05 of the Illinois School Code. Each student participating in an e-Learning Day will be required to engage in at least five hours of instruction or schoolwork. The district states, "The purpose of e-Learning Days is to provide continuity of instruction when school attendance is not possible due to weather, emergencies, or other approved circumstances—ensuring that learning continues without extending the school calendar."

e-Learning Days allow students to complete their work from home during situations such as dangerous travel conditions or extreme weather. These days are counted as regular school days and do not extend the end-of-year calendar.

Communication about e-Learning Days will be delivered through the district’s usual channels, including automated phone calls, text alerts, email, and updates on its website and social media. Teachers are expected to communicate learning expectations and assignments by 9:30 a.m., specifying where assignments can be found (such as Google Classroom), estimated time requirements, and assignment due dates.

According to the plan, "Students who cannot access materials during the e-Learning Day will receive printed or digital copies upon returning to school." The primary platform for e-Learning is Google Classroom, where assignments and announcements will be posted unless otherwise specified.

Teachers will be available via email and Google Classroom from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for academic assistance. Additionally, each teacher will host a one-hour optional Google Meet session for further support; details will be shared in morning emails.

For attendance procedures in grades 1–12, teachers will post an attendance question in Google Classroom for each course or homeroom. Students must respond by midnight on the e-Learning Day or participate through submitting assignments or joining virtual sessions to be marked present in Skyward the following day. For Pre-K and Kindergarten students, attendance is based on completion of provided “Blizzard Bag” materials.

Homebound services on e-Learning Days begin after 2:00 p.m., while Evening Academy students receive instructions from teachers by 4:00 p.m.

The district certifies that its plan meets all state code requirements and ensures equitable access for all students—including those with disabilities—and provides professional development for staff on digital tools and instructional delivery.

Granite City Community Unit School District #9 serves several schools within Madison County, 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 data from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), there are 320 teachers employed by Granite City CUSD #9 with an average salary of $67,898 before pension contributions; about three-quarters are women (77.1 percent) while men make up just under a quarter (22.9 percent). The ISBE also reports no teachers with more than ten absences annually at this district (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

Student demographics indicate that Granite City CUSD #9 is composed of approximately 65 percent White students; Black students make up nearly 16 percent; Hispanic students represent almost twelve percent; Asian students comprise less than one percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

Financially, Granite City CUSD #9 spent $17,739 per student in fiscal year 2020 with total expenditures reaching over $106 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

"Granite City Community Unit School District #9 certifies that this e-Learning Plan meets all requirements of Section 10-19.05 of the Illinois School Code," according to district documentation.