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Board discusses remote-education option as a last-resort pathway; administration to return with costs and union input
Summary
The Granite City CUSD 9 board reviewed a proposed remote education program intended only for students who exhaust in-person and alternative options. Board members pressed administration on costs, union negotiations and enrollment projections; administration said costs will be finalized after state approval and bargaining discussions.
At the April 28 meeting the Granite City CUSD 9 administration proposed a remote education program designed as a final option for students who have not succeeded in traditional, alternative, or county safe‑school placements.
The administration described the program as limited to students who previously participated in the district's day program, had been in the district's alternative education program, and had attended the county's safe‑school program but were subsequently removed. The proposal emphasized that the remote option would be used only after exhausting other in‑person supports and that it is intended to provide academic progress, credit recovery and a pathway to graduation while maintaining accountability and access to services.
Board members asked detailed operational and budget questions. One board member asked whether the district knew the cost; administrators replied that final cost figures would depend on how many students ultimately enroll and that the district would negotiate staffing/compensation with the union. The administration said the program would likely be staffed by existing district teachers where possible, use online coursework (six courses), and include a teacher meeting period to provide support. "We would have to come up with an item to discuss after state approval," an administrator stated, noting that the program requires submission to the state and subsequent local decisions about cost and staffing.
Board members expressed concern about approving new programs while the district faces budget pressures and discussed possible savings if the district used existing personnel rather than hiring new staff. Administrators said they would return with more precise cost projections and union negotiations before any substantive budget vote.
The board moved and approved the administration to pursue the program submission and next steps; the motion included direction to report back with cost and staffing details. The approval at the meeting authorized the district to submit the program for state review and to return to the board with implementation specifics.
