Richland County CUSD 1 superintendent cites record student growth, lays out 2025 priorities

Richland County Community School District 1 Superintendent Mr. Fox reported to the board that student growth on the Illinois Assessment Readiness tests at Richland County Elementary and the middle school was the highest in five years and that Richland County Elementary earned the Illinois State Board of Educationtop rating of "exemplary," placing it among the top 10% in the state.

Mr. Fox said the district earned other recognitions in 2024, including an Accelerate Gold award for the Richland County Early Learning Center preschool and the introduction of new manufacturing courses at the high school. He described several facility and staffing changes completed last year: a redesigned south parking lot at the high school, accessibility improvements in the commons, LED lighting work started at the middle school, additional administrative and nursing positions, and purchase of a building to house a district-run alternative school.

"Richland County Community School District number 1 is a district that is committed to academic excellence," Mr. Fox said, reading his prepared remarks. He characterized 2024 as a "progressive" year and said the district's staff and administrators drove the improvements.

Looking to 2025, Mr. Fox outlined initiatives the district plans to implement or continue: creating advanced coursework at Richland County Middle School for students who are excelling; opening the Rise Up alternative education program to serve up to 30 middle and high school students; adopting a formal curriculum review and replacement schedule; building a manufacturing lab at the high school with 3D printers, CNC machines and robotic arms; adding counselors (a third counselor at Richland County Elementary and a second counselor at Richland County Middle School); completing the middle school LED lighting project; installing a new elementary playground and a parent pick-up canopy; investigating and pursuing up to two community solar fields to supply electricity and lease revenue; and beginning replacement of outdated mechanical automation systems in district buildings.

Mr. Fox said the additional school resource officer and new administrative staffing at the elementary school had allowed administrators to focus on building programs instead of only operations. He thanked teachers, support staff and janitorial staff for their contributions to the progress the district reported.

A board member who spoke after the report praised the district's staff "from the bus driver" through the custodial staff and thanked Mr. Fox and the administrative team for their work.

The district distributed materials on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Vision 2030 initiative and plans to bring a resolution supporting that initiative for the board to consider at a future meeting.