The Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Board of Education voted at their February 25, 2019 meeting to approve the hiring of Mark “Brad” Skertich as the new superintendent of schools effective for the 2019-20 school year.
Skertich will follow Dr. Robert Green who is retiring at the end of the 2018-19 school year.
“Hiring a superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities that a school board has,” said Board of Education President Gary Peccola. “Over the last eight months the board has devoted a significant amount of time to finding the right person to lead our district after Dr. Green’s retirement.”
“We were pleased to have a number of highly qualified candidates apply for the position, but Brad stood out to all of us from the beginning. The more we learned about him, the more we felt his experience, qualifications and personality were what we were looking for,” added Peccola.
Skertich is a “Student-Centered” Educator
Skertich has been superintendent of Southwestern Community Unit School District #9 since 2010. Southwestern serves the Illinois communities of Brighton, Medora, Piasa and Shipman in Macoupin, Jersey and Greene counties.
Skertich is a “student-centered educator” with more than 20 years’ experience as a teacher, principal and superintendent. He began as a mathematics teacher at Triad (IL) Middle School and served as principal of Wolf Ridge Education Center and Meissner Junior High in Bunker Hill, Illinois before becoming a superintendent.
“Throughout my career, I have devoted the majority of my time working with parents, district employees, the Board of Education and the community to create a diverse learning environment for all students, maintaining financial stability and upholding proud academic and extracurricular traditions,” said Skertich.
“I am excited to be relocating to Collinsville – personally and professionally – to experience the many opportunities the community offers,” he said.
Skertich’s wife Stacy and eleven-year-old daughter, Olivia, will be joining him in the move to the Collinsville area.
“My family means the world to me and I needed to make sure a career change will be good for my wife and daughter, too,” said Skertich, “The Collinsville School District’s academic offerings, traditions, service opportunities and wide-ranging extracurricular activities are appealing to me as an educator and a parent.”
Skertich’s parents are both retired educators. He graduated from Staunton (IL) High School and was a member of their 1993 Class A State Championship Basketball Team. He says he’s ready to show some Purple Pride and start cheering for the Kahoks.
Skertich’s Core Beliefs
Skertich is looking forward to working with CUSD 10’s diverse student population and thinks relationships are important. “We don’t just educate kids, we help raise them,” he said.
Skertich has several core beliefs: “I believe in open lines of communication, transparency and collaboration. Every decision should be in the best interest of students and we should celebrate every student.”
In May 2019, Skertich expects to complete his doctoral studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. This means he will officially be Dr. Skertich as he begins his work with CUSD 10 on July 1, 2019.
“We believe he will be a good fit for our community, and most importantly, for our students and staff,” added Peccola, “We are excited and are looking forward to working with Brad in the years to come.”