Columbia CUSD 4 board approves personnel items, renews IHSA membership and engages GRP Wegman for energy work

The Columbia CUSD 4 Board of Education approved a package of routine personnel and operational items at its March meeting, including resignations and recommended hires, renewal of athletic association membership and a performance contract for energy and lighting improvements.

The amended consent agenda, which administration presented to cover multiple staff resignations and recommended certified hires, passed on a roll‑call vote with one member absent, according to the board clerk. Administration also recommended — and the board approved — keeping student fees at the same level for the 2026–27 school year after the administration reported there was no need to increase fees this cycle.

Assistant Superintendent (speaker 9) reviewed tenure timing under state law and presented the list of teachers progressing toward tenure; the board voted to approve the non‑tenure/tenure list as presented. The administration also recommended renewing the district’s Illinois High School Association (IHSA) membership for 2026–27; that motion passed.

Board members approved a resolution to engage performance contractor GRP Wegman for lighting upgrades at the high school and a combined lighting and solar installation at the middle school. Superintendent (speaker 5) said the district would fund the work from working cash to avoid borrowing and that projected payback from energy savings would be roughly eight years; board members discussed roof suitability and cost‑benefit and emphasized not increasing the tax rate.

All motions described above were made, seconded and approved by roll call with one absence noted. An anticipated action resulting from a later executive session was tabled.

Next steps: administration will proceed with the GRP Wegman contract process and follow up on personnel hires and the IHSA renewal as part of routine operations.