LM Jan 2024

Education Elevat g

Skertich ... cont’d. IASA COVID-19 Transition Team, which provided advice, templates and resources for superintendents across the state during an unprecedented period. “We were building the plane as we were flying,” Dr. Skertich said. “I’m proud of the opportunity to serve alongside tremendous colleagues and help superintendents across the state try to navigate uncertain times and do what’s best for their students and communities.” Dr. Skertich also currently serves on the Vision 2030 Workgroup, which is in the process of developing a new advocacy framework that will serve as a blueprint for public education in Illinois. He’s also been an active advocate for the state increasing career and technical education funding for schools. The latter coincides with Collinsville CUSD #10 building a 45,000-square foot expansion to the Collinsville Area Vocational Center, which will serve at least nine school districts. The renovation is being made possible through a $25 million state appropriation for facility improvements. The current facility and expansion will host numerous CTE programs, including auto body and auto mechanics, welding, nursing, construction, urban agriculture, construction trades, machining, electronics, culinary arts, criminal justice and education as a profession while adding aviation, HVAC and renewable energies once construction is complete. “We recognize that not every student plans to attend college,” Dr. Skertich said. “This facility will be a game changer for our region. Students can get training and skills for careers that offer competitive wages, insurance and benefits. We’re also going to drive jobs to the Metro East and be a pipeline for the workforce.” In Collinsville CUSD #10, Dr. Skertich has expanded internet connectivity and technology access. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped facilitate the construction of an internet service tower and acquired hot spots to make sure every student had access to the internet. He also pushed the district to transition to 1:1 and provide all students with computer devices. In addition, Dr. Skertich is overseeing the construction of a new elementary school in nearby Caseyville and pushed for the launch of the “Kahoks Teaching Kahoks” program, a “Grow Our Own” Future Teacher Program to encourage current high school students to become educators in the district.

Garcia-Sanchez ... cont’d.

Garcia-Sanchez said. “If you look around the state of Illinois, there are not enough leaders who look like the children we’re serving.” At DeKalb CUSD #428, Dr. Garcia-Sanchez implemented an educator pipeline program and was at the forefront of conducting an Equity Audit, a study of the fairness of an institution’s policies, programs and practices. What’s unique about DeKalb CUSD #428 is that it leveraged the Equity Audit to help rebrand a Diversity Plan, which is now incorporated into the district’s overall Strategic Plan. In addition, she has sought to expand social-emotional learning supports for students, provide more resources for trauma and oversaw the transition to a curriculum that is more inclusive and promotes a better understanding of other cultures. Dr. Garcia-Sanchez has presented on the district’s work around equity at statewide conferences and through the Illinois State Board of Education. “We try to do everything in our power to make sure all students have access to the same opportunities,” Dr. Garcia Sanchez said. At DeKalb CUSD #428, Dr. Garcia-Sanchez has been a champion of promoting student voice. The district has a student board member who leads a cohort that provides feedback on everything from the dress code, principal evaluation to the food served at lunch. “It’s important we build in opportunities to hear directly from our students, even the ones who tend to get in trouble at school and learn how we can change school experiences, so they feel more engaged and connected,” she said. Dr. Garcia-Sanchez has also been active in improving district facilities. The district is in the process of relocating the special education program—which supports those ages 18 to 22— from its current location at DeKalb High School. The new facility will resemble a single-family home and help students with intellectual and developmental disabilities make the transition to adulthood. In addition, DeKalb CUSD #428 will eliminate an education desert in the North Corridor community, and significantly reduce the amount of time students ride a bus, when a new elementary school opens in August of 2025. “Instead of waiting outside in the cold and traveling 20–40 minutes on a bus, we’ll have students who can simply walk across the street to go to school,” Dr. Garcia-Sanchez said. “That will be a game changer in terms of improving attendance, lowering truancy and promoting community engagement.”

“We want our high school students to come back to our community and teach our future generations,” Dr. Skertich said.

15 LM January 2024