Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 Superintendent Mark B. Skertich said on Apr. 28 that the district remains committed to student safety following extended tornado and storm warnings earlier in the week.
The statement addresses families’ concerns about emergency procedures, emphasizing the importance of communication and cooperation during severe weather events. Skertich said staff and administrators prioritized student safety throughout the incident, while families showed patience as schools sheltered in place.
Skertich said, “First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of our staff and administrators to keep our students safe during Monday’s extended tornado and storm warnings. Our primary commitment is the safety of our students, a priority that remained at the forefront of our team’s efforts during the prolonged weather warnings.” He added thanks to families for their trust while sheltering was underway.
The district reported no significant damage from the storms. Leadership conducted a debrief session to review their response and identify areas for improvement should similar situations arise again.
Communication with parents will continue through ParentSquare alerts if local sirens are activated or transportation changes occur due to shelter-in-place orders. The district also shared guidance on differentiating between tornado watches—when conditions are possible—and tornado warnings—when immediate action is required because a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar.
During shelter-in-place situations, school staff act in loco parentis for discipline, supervision, and safety. Students cannot be checked out until an all-clear is given by the superintendent; buses will not operate until it is safe. The district asks parents not to come to schools during such emergencies as it could endanger themselves or others and disrupt protocols.
The Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 represents Madison and St. Clair counties, serving multiple elementary schools as well as middle and high schools according to Illinois Report Card. The district enrolled 6,169 students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade during the 2019-2020 year according to Illinois Report Card.
There are 418 teachers in Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 with an average salary of $60,392 before pension contributions; most teachers are women according to Illinois Report Card. The student body is composed of approximately 56 percent White students, with Black students making up just over fourteen percent and Hispanic students about twenty-four percent according to ISBE.
District spending per student was $16,872 in 2020 for a total expenditure exceeding $104 million according to Illinois Report Card. Chronic truancy affected three percent of enrolled students in that year—a rate lower than state averages—with chronically truant defined as missing five percent or more days without valid excuse according to Illinois State Board of Education.
Skertich concluded his message: “As we enter the final three weeks of the school year, we hope to avoid further weather disruptions. However, spring weather is unpredictable. We will continue to stay vigilant and prepared to keep our school community safe.”
