Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Chief School Business Officer Uta Robison retired in July 2021 after 21 years of service in our business department. Her dedication to our students and staff leaves an admirable legacy in CUSD #10.
Dr. Robison grew up in West Germany and moved to the United States in 1979. She joined the district in May 2000 as an accounting supervisor. She had an undergraduate degree in mathematics with a minor in economics, as well as a Masters in Accounting. She remembers interviewing with then Chief School Business Officer Jeff Endres and Superintendent Dr. Dennis Craft. Having several education courses on her transcript made her a valuable addition to CUSD 10’s business office.
“My dad had a saying: ‘Plan your work and work your plan,'” says Robison. Shortly after she was hired by CUSD 10, she set a goal to attain certification to become a Chief School Business Officer (CSBO). When her predecessor retired in 2007, Robison became the district’s first female CSBO.
“It was my pleasure recommending Uta to the Board of Education 14 years ago for the Director of Business position,” said retired CUSD 10 Superintendent and current Treasurer of the Board of Education Dr. Dennis Craft, “Uta has an excellent work ethic. There were many nights and weekends she stayed and worked in her office to make sure the job was done correctly and on time. Her knowledge of school finance is outstanding and on many occasions was able to propose viable options to solve problems. Collinsville Unit 10 School District was fortunate to have such an individual as Uta Robison as the Director of Business.”
A self-proclaimed “life-long learner,” Robison recently completed requirements for a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from SIUE.
She had responsibility for managing the district’s $70 million budget. In addition, her duties included oversight of payroll and accounts payable; preparing and presenting financial reports to the Board of Education; coordinating bond issues; creating and keeping track of the district’s annual budgets; monitoring compliance with laws and regulations; responsibility for insurance matters; overseeing the school lunch program and district wellness policy.
Board of Education President Gary Peccola said, “The board is definitely going to miss Uta and her dedication to the district. She consistently made sure the board had all of the information we needed when it came to budgets, negotiations, bond issues and anything else to do with the district’s finances. If we asked for it, she got it for us. Uta was very helpful to me when I was a new board member. She always took the time to answer my questions and help me learn more about the district’s finances. I will always be grateful for her assistance then and through the many years that followed.”
Dr. Robison said her long work hours meant the district office became an extension of her home. She looks forward to spending more time with her husband, Rob, a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and Administrative Law Judge, as they pursue their many hobbies.
“As many of us know, Uta has a wide range of skills, talents and interests outside of finance that will undoubtedly make retired life interesting for her and Rob,” added Peccola, “The board would like to congratulate Uta and wish her all the best in her future adventures.”
Her interests and passions are well-known to CUSD 10 staff, especially her colleagues in the Administration Building. Dr. Robison is a self-proclaimed artist who creates projects from upcycled materials. She has a passion for creating something useful from discarded objects and many of her works were displayed in her office. She also collected student art from CUSD 10 schools and showcased it in the business office.
Dr. Robison is a licensed private pilot and escaped to the sky on many occasions to alleviate stress from her demanding job. She also enjoys welding/blacksmithing, horses, farming, windsurfing, kiteboarding and other water sports. Already fluent in German and English, she is learning Spanish in her spare time. She and Rob have plans to build a home on property that will include their own private airstrip.
“I’m grateful for every day. I am going to enjoy life, stay healthy and busy,” said Robison. “I look forward to new adventures and learning new things.”
“I was here to help educate kids and support teachers. I enjoyed working with people to get our mission done; being part of a community focused on kids.”
Collinsville CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Brad Skertich said, “I want to wish Uta nothing but the best in retirement and hope she enjoys her time in the air or on the farm. The Collinsville School District was fortunate to have access to her wealth of knowledge related to school finance, Excel and her ability to analyze financial matters. Thank you Uta!”