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By Chris Mitchell '95

Every Friday throughout the 2026-27 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week's staff spotlight features Brad Smith.

Smith serves as the Technology Director for GCSD9 and is currently in his 20th year with the district. He began his GCSD9 career as Technology Coordinator at Granite City High School, where he led the district's building technology technicians. He later transitioned to Systems Administrator, focusing on server and network infrastructure while continuing to support the technology staff across the district.

In his current role as Technology Director, Smith oversees all aspects of the district's technology operations, combining his previous responsibilities with expanded leadership and administrative duties.

Smith discusses the day-to-day responsibilities of leading GCSD9's technology department, the lasting impact of COVID-19, the importance of customer service, keeping pace with ever-changing technology, and his vision for the future of technology in the district.

What does a typical day look like for you as GCSD9's Technology Director, and what are some of the biggest responsibilities that people may not realize happen behind the scenes?
A typical day for the technology team can vary greatly depending on if something is down. We work off of a ticketing system where staff can submit tickets for issues with equipment, it can be anything, maybe a problem with an app, someone not being able to print, or a problem within Google Workspace, Skyward, etc. . Things that happen behind the scenes are all about security and making sure that the network, servers, students and staff stay safe.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change your job, and what technology improvements or practices have remained in place since then?
The pandemic changed everything about technology. For our team, the challenge was adding devices for all students and providing a safe and secure experience at home. Making sure that all students and staff could work from home with the ability to do everything just as if they were in their classroom and/or be in their classroom with students at home. Before COVID all of our devices were in carts in classrooms and not enough for every student.

We added over 3,000 Chromebooks in order to become one-to-one with devices and distributed them to families in parking lots at buildings which was another level of logistics. Several times I was directing traffic making sure that lines of cars were not backing up onto the streets from buildings.  Everything we use now such as Google Workspace, wireless technology, security measures, devices, insurance all changed with the pandemic and are still mostly in place.

Technology is constantly evolving. How do you balance keeping the district's technology current while also ensuring students, teachers, and staff have reliable tools they can count on every day?
I am very fortunate to have a great technology team, the people that I work alongside are the ones that keep the balance. Technology can change rapidly sometimes without much warning. An update may automatically take place that makes something not work correctly, across all devices. The team goes to work to assess what is going on and figure out a solution. 

A big part of your job is helping students teachers, staff, and administrators when technology issues arise. How important is customer service and building relationships in a role that's often focused on computers and technology?
I would say that customer service is crucial, without students and staff the technology department essentially would not exist. We strive to provide the best customer service that we can in every situation.  

Looking ahead, what emerging technologies or initiatives are you most excited about bringing to GCSD9, and how do you see technology continuing to enhance teaching and learning for our students?
Currently AI is the big topic, how will it change in the next year, 5 years, 10 years? I think it will be interesting to see what happens, much like when the internet came out. Technology will continue to grow and change, the teaching and learning process will continue to evolve around it as needed. 

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net

Granite City, Ill., July 9, 2026 – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 is underway with hiring for the 2026-27 school year, and currently has full-time, part-time and substitute openings:

• Substitute Administrador
• Substitute Administrative Assistant
• Substitute Café
• Substitute Custodian
• Substitute Nurse
• Substitute Paraprofessional
• Substitute Teacher

GCSD9 Employment Opportunities: https://www.gcsd9.net/employment

GCSD9 District Application: https://granitecitycusd9il.tylerportico.com/portal/launcher/

For additional information, please contact GCSD9 Human Resources at (618) 451-5800, Ext. 2004 or 2005, or visit our website at: www.gcsd9.net.

Granite City, Ill., July 8, 2026 – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 is partnering with the Madison County Health Department to host a pair of Back to School Physical and Immunization Clinics on Thursday, July 30 and Thursday, August 6 from 1-4:30 p.m. at the Granite City High School Annex Gym.

This event will be held to help protect students and others by meeting school and sports physical requirements. All incoming kindergarteners, 6th graders and high school freshmen are required to have a school physical and updated shot records.

WHEN:
• Thursday, July 30, 1-4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, August 6, 1-4:30 p.m.

WHERE:
• Granite City High School Annex Gym, 3101 Madison Ave.

INFORMATION:
• Who is eligible: Preschool-12th graders
• Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome
• Patient’s Insurance including public insurance (Medicaid) will be billed for services
• No out of pocket fees for those who are eligible
• If you do not have insurance or have questions about vaccines, please call 618-692-8954, Ext. 2

WHAT TO BRING:
• Child with their parent or guardian
• ID of parent or guardian
• Shot/Immunization Record
• Insurance Card 

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT:
• https://form.jotform.com/261866598756177

For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net.

By Chris Mitchell '95

Every Friday throughout the 2026-27 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week's staff spotlight features Carrie Wallace.

Now in her first year as Executive Secretary to Superintendent Dr. Donald Harris, Wallace has served GCSD9 in a variety of roles since being hired full-time in 2011. She started out as a paraprofessional before taking on a new role as administrative assistant in Student Services before assuming her current position in 2026.

Wallace discusses her transition into the Superintendent's Office, the importance of creating a welcoming first impression, the behind-the-scenes work that goes into preparing Board of Education meetings, her induction into the Granite City Sports Hall of Fame, and her commitment to serving the GCSD9 community.

You recently transitioned from Student Services to serving as Executive Secretary to the Superintendent. What excited you most about taking on this new role, and what has the transition been like?       
It has been a whirlwind, but in the best way possible! Dr. Harris, the Board members, and the entire team at the Administration Office—honestly, everyone across the district—have been incredibly welcoming and helpful. I’ve found that my existing knowledge of the district has been an invaluable asset during this transition, helping me hit the ground running. 

You spent several years as an Administrative Assistant in Student Services, working closely with students, families, and staff. How has that experience prepared you for your new position in the Superintendent's Office
I actually started as a Paraprofessional, working inside many of our district's schools. Because of that, when I transitioned to Student Services, I already understood how a lot of our programs ran and knew so many staff members across the district. When our department first launched, that foundational knowledge allowed me to deeply support our families and confidently answer their questions. Every step of my career here has built the perfect foundation for this new role.   

For many parents, staff members, and community members, you're the first person they meet or speak with before visiting with the Superintendent. How important is it to create a positive first impression and help people feel welcome?
It is extremely important. Whether a family, a local business partner, or a colleague is coming to see Dr. Harris—and whether they are arriving under positive circumstances or a tough situation—I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable. My goal is always to make them feel genuinely welcome. Even on challenging days, I make it a priority to stay positive and greet everyone with a warm smile.

One of your biggest responsibilities is preparing the agenda and supporting the materials for the monthly Board of Education meetings. Can you give us a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into that process and why attention to detail is so important?
When I first stepped into this position, I had never actually been involved in the mechanics of a Board meeting. I had seen the agendas before, but I didn't fully realize the immense amount of preparation that goes into them. Now, I am becoming much more comfortable with the process and really understanding the "why" behind how things are done. Attention to detail is everything when ensuring our leadership team has what they need to make informed decisions.  

You were inducted into the Granite City Sports Hall of Fame in 2025 for your accomplishments as a student-athlete. What did that honor mean to you, and how did your experiences at Granite City High School help shape who you are today?  
It was such an incredible honor to be inducted. Growing up, I always felt that competing in sports in Granite City was something special—making a high school team here meant you were part of a truly dedicated athletic community. Being able to take that passion to the collegiate level, and later coach for a few years, was an amazing journey. Those experiences and the mentors I had along the way taught me how to be a leader, how to be versatile, and how to think outside the box to solve problems. 

As someone who has served GCSD9 in multiple roles, what would you like students, families, staff, and the Granite City community to know about the work that happens behind the scenes to support our schools?
If there is one thing I want everyone to know, it's that the staff at the administration office truly care. Every single day, the team is working hard behind the scenes because they genuinely want the absolute best for each and every student, staff member, and community partner in Granite City.  

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net