Fire damages Cope School, officials plan for continued student learning

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (KBSI) — A fire broke out early Tuesday at Cope Alternative School on Shomaker Drive, causing significant damage but sparing some of the building’s technology and classroom materials.

Firefighters responded to the scene around 5:45 a.m., quickly containing the blaze to the south end of the building. Despite their efforts, the structure sustained substantial damage. Officials credited a staff member who arrived early for work and promptly reported the fire, allowing emergency crews to respond quickly.

The Murphysboro Fire Department was assisted by the Murphysboro Police Department, Murphysboro Emergency Management, and the Jackson County Ambulance Service. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

With two classrooms impacted by the damage, school officials are working on a plan for students’ temporary relocation. Matthew Hickam, regional superintendent of schools, said remote learning will be used in the short term, though the upcoming spring break will provide additional time to arrange alternative classroom space.

“Right now, we’ll just be operating with students, working with technology, working remotely for as short a period of time as possible,” Hickam said. “Fortunately, our program has a spring break coming up next week, so that’ll give us a little extra time where hopefully we’ll come up with a backup plan for alternative locations.”

Hickam noted that the affected building had only two classrooms, serving approximately 20 students. Officials were able to recover most of the school’s technology before it was destroyed.

School administrators expect to finalize relocation plans in the coming days, with the goal of resuming in-person learning after spring break.