Community News
Anticipating $680,000 windfall, school board posts vacancies for multiple positions
GHS student Chance Reiniesch and MPACT’D/SADD group sponsor Jennifer Brown briefly addressed the board about a Whistle Stop/Is It Worth It program the group is sponsoring Wednesday evening at the Gillespie Civic Center.
Expecting an additional $680,000 in new state funding this fiscal year, the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night posted vacancies for the coming school year for a student services coordinator, a Response to Intervention coordinator, a music teacher position and a middle school social studies teaching position — all of which are either new positions or vacated positions the district had previously left unfilled.
The action followed a marathon executive session of more than 90 minutes during which Supt. Joe Tieman and four members of the board discussed personnel issues. The meeting was attended by Board President Mark Hayes and members Don Dobrino, Bill Carter and Were Schmidt—the minimum number required for a quorum. Peyton Bernot, Dennis Tiburzi and Jenni Alepra were absent.
According to Tieman, some of the personnel items approved Monday night resulted directly from confirmation that the district will receive $680,000 in additional funding as a result of the state’s new Evidence Based Funding (EBF) legislation, which is designed to address funding disparity statewide. The money is expected to arrive in six monthly payments of about $113,333 each. Tieman confirmed that the first payment to CUSD 7 has arrived and has been deposited. The EBF funding is in addition to the regular state aid the school district is allotted, and the state presumably is committed by law to maintain the current level of funding at a minimum in subsequent fiscal years.
A provision of the law requires local school districts to spend EBF funding on new initiatives aimed at school improvement. The new dollars cannot be used to pay for existing bills or existing programs, Tieman said.
The new dollars cannot be used to pay for existing bills or existing programs, Tieman said.
“It’s designed to supplant, not supplement, programs,” he noted.
The student services coordinator and Response to Intervention coordinator are both newly created positions if the board ultimately votes to hire candidates for them. Response to Intervention refers to students who need intervention or additional services to ensure academic success. Tieman said the middle school social studies position is a position that was left vacant after it was vacated due to a teacher’s retirement. Likewise, the music teacher position, if filled, is a chorus position that would restore the complement of district music teachers to three.
“In some cases, just because we are posting a position doesn’t necessarily mean we will hire someone for that position,” Tieman noted. “Some of that will depend on the candidates we get for them.”
Tieman said the board’s action Monday night might seem counter-intuitive to district residents in view of district efforts within the last three years to cut more than $400,000 in deficit spending. “We wanted to make sure you didn’t think that we’d lost our minds in posting all these positions just three short years after we cut $700,000 in spending,” he said.
The previous cuts, he said, were necessitated by shortfalls in the amount of state aid the district received.
The previous cuts, he said, were necessitated by shortfalls in the amount of state aid the district received. The underfunding, he said, amounted to about $4.5 million over the past decade.
“The $680,000 in additional money this year is good, but it pales in comparison to the $4.5 million we lost in the last 10 years,” Tieman said.
Later in the meeting, the board accepted job descriptions for district certificated personnel. Such job descriptions are subject to review by the teachers’ union, Tieman noted, adding that job descriptions for the new positions approved by the board Monday night will be submitted to union leadership for approval.
In other personnel action, the board posted vacancies for two elementary summer school teaching positions and two middle school teaching positions. Tieman said the new positions were made possible as a result of a grant recently secured by the district that will help pay the teacher salaries for the summer “allowing us to offer something for kids who need additional help.” He thanked principals and staff who helped with writing the grant proposal.
The board also posted a vacancy for a district math teacher. While it’s unusual to post for a position without designating the grade level, Tieman said: “math teachers are hard to come by.” He said the district wanted to open the position for applications as soon as possible and will make a grade level assignment based upon the qualifications of the candidates who apply for the job. “At this point, it is a district posting,” he said.
In other personnel action, the board:
- Hired Ashlee Gibbs as a high school summer school math teacher for this summer.
- Hired Amy Goldasicch as a high school summer school English teacher for this summer.
- Hired Stuart Ringer as a high school summer school consumer education teacher for this summer.
- Hired Jennifer Brown as a high school summer school drivers’ education teacher for this summer.
- Posted a vacancy for a district special education teacher.
- Posted a vacancy for an elementary school computer teacher.
- Posted a vacancy for an elementary school teaching position for the 2018-19 school year.
- Hired Penny Feeley and Janice Hammann as summer school food service workers for this summer.
- Accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Amy Baker, effective immediately. Baker was working as a classroom aid at Gillespie Middle School.
- By a vote of 3-1 voted to hire Barbara Turner as a district custodian for the 2018-19 school year, pending a background check. Board President Hayes cast the sole dissenting vote.
Later in the meeting, Tieman explained the posting for an elementary computer teacher is related to a district-wide computer initiative to “at least explore the idea of a one-to-one program” that would make classroom computers available to individual students. He said the program is being developed by a technology committee that includes Tieman, Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto, Middle School Principal Jill Rosentreter, High School Principal Shane Owsley, and Mark Carpani and Steve Compton, technology coordinators.
Tieman said the committee initially would like to implement a pilot program at the fourth grade level with a mobile computer lab with up to 30 devices to be used by individual students in the classroom. As part of the program, teachers would be required to tailor the curriculum to computer-based teaching. Professional development to equip teachers to incorporate computer technology into their teaching strategies is expected to start as early as this summer, Tieman said.
Ultimately, the pilot program will provide a basis for administrators to determine the value of a one-to-one computer program.
Ultimately, the pilot program will provide a basis for administrators to determine the value of a one-to-one computer program, Tieman said, and “whether we want to start implementing it one grade at a time.” The board’s action giving the district the ability to hire an elementary computer teacher, he said, dovetails with the program’s objectives, providing an opportunity for the district to hire someone to teach keyboarding skills at the elementary level.
Tieman said there was no need for board action at this time and that he would present budget information and an implementation strategy as the program develops. He said he wanted to present the preliminary information Monday night in the event any board members had questions or concerns.
BUS PASS POLICY
On Tieman’s recommendation, the board unanimously approved a revised bus pass policy to take effect with the 2018-19 school year, which will require parents of “bus eligible” students to designate two locations where their children will be allowed to get off the bus they normally ride. One of those designated departure locations must be the family home, with the second location being a day-care provider chosen by the parents. Tieman said “daycare provider” doesn’t necessarily mean a daycare facility, but can be the home of a grandparent or relative selected by the parents to supervise their children after school.
Bus eligible students are students who live 1.5 miles or more from the school building. Parents of non-eligible students can designate a daycare provider as a location where their children will be authorized to get off the bus.
Tieman said the policy will eliminate chaos in the office and on bus routes that can be created when students are given permission to get off the bus with a friend or at some location other than their regular departure point.
“It’s a nightmare for our building secretaries and our building principals between 2 o’clock and 3 o’clock,” Tieman said. “It’s creating an essence of efficiency but more importantly it’s creating an issue of safety. We want parents to know that short of an emergency, there will be no exceptions.”
TRACK RESURFACING CONTRACT
On a motion by Schmidt, seconded by Carter, the board voted unanimously to accept a bid of $76,131 from Fisher Tracks, headquartered in Boone, Iowa, to resurface the district’s all-weather track. Tieman said Fisher was the company that installed the track originally eight years ago and was the lower of two bidders to offer proposals for the project.
Tieman said the district actually had gotten about two years more life out of the original surface than what is normally recommended. The resurfacing is expected to be good for 12 to 15 years. In addition to resurfacing the track, Tieman said the project will include replacing much of the long jump area and pole vault area.
Earlier in the meeting, Tieman announced the John Schmidt Family Foundation, a frequent benefactor of the school district, donated $5,000 to assist with the cost of resurfacing the track. The Foundation was a major supporter of the track’s original construction. In addition, Tieman said the community All-Weather Track Committee will subsidize $32,000 for the resurfacing project’s cost.
Board members also accepted a contract totaling $19,830.81 to replace carpeting in the high school/middle school library. Quality Flooring, Gillespie, will provide materials and Fox Flooring will provide labor for installation. Work on the project is expected to start in July.
Tieman said the carpeting now in the facility was installed when the building was constructed. In 1993, the library was flooded and the carpeting had to be dried out to salvage it.
“We’ve been living on borrowed time,” Tieman said. He said he initially recommended replacing the flooring with tiling but was convinced by the librarian and building/maintenance supervisor that carpeting would be a more appropriate choice for a library because of concerns about sound absorption. Base on a recommendation by district architect Tom Hyde, the carpet will be replaced with carpet “tiles” that can be replaced individually in the event of damage or staining.
Tieman also reported that Middle School Principal Rosentreter and middle school teaching staff had met with Hyde to select furnishings for a planned new Middle School science lab. Work on that project is expected to begin in June after the end of the current school year, with a target completion date in mid- to late-October.
WHISTLE STOP PRESENTATION
GHS student Chance Reiniesch and MPACT’D/SADD group sponsor Jennifer Brown briefly addressed the board about a Whistle Stop/Is It Worth It program the group is sponsoring Wednesday evening at the Gillespie Civic Center. Reiniesch said the event will focus on substance abuse and the impact alcohol and/or drug abuse can have on the well-being of students and adults. Two sessions are scheduled—one offering hot dogs and chili for dinner at 5 p.m., with presentations set from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and one providing dinner at 6:30 p.m., with presentations set from 7 to 8 p.m.
Reiniesch said the group has enlisted the participation of local law enforcement officials, paramedics, prosecutors and Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Deihl. Sessions will be tailored for students, parents, and youngsters in the eighth grade and younger
For parents, Reiniesch said, a mock bedroom will be set up on the south side of the Civic Center where parents will be invited to “see if they can identify any drug paraphernalia” or other signs their son or daughter may be involved with drug use. Information also will be presented concerning opioid abuse and other issues.
Brown said the group also plans to push awareness of the “social host law” that holds adults responsible for injuries or deaths resulting when they allow teens to drink in their homes. “A lot of people aren’t aware of it,” she said.
Brown said attendance is not limited to CUSD 7 residents. “Whoever wants to come is more than welcome,” she said.
The Whistle Stop is a new initiative of the Students Against Drunk Driving organization.
“Our school and a school in Chicago are the only ones doing it in Illinois this year,” Brown said.
She said the Macoupin County Anti-Meth Coalition is helping sponsor the event by providing funding for food.
The board also heard from Marine Staff Sgt. Jared Hohmeier, a recruiter who has worked frequently with GHS students bound for military careers. Hohmeier reported to the board about a program sponsored by the Marine Corps that allows schools to send educators to the Marine Corp training facility in San Diego. The program allows educators to view Marine Corp training programs and learn about career and education opportunities available to high school seniors who join the Marines.
The cost of the program is paid for by the Marine Corp.
“Basically what it cost the school is finding someone to cover their class for a week,” Hohmeier said.
SCHOOL CALENDARS
The board approved a revision to the 2017-18 school calendar that pushed the last day of student attendance to May 18, slightly more than a week earlier than originally scheduled. The change is possible because the district used only three of 10 emergency days built into the calendar at the beginning of the year.
The board also approved the 2018-19 school calendar calling for the school year to start about a week later than usual in August. Tieman said the school altered its starting date in deference to the Bunker Hill School District which has a construction project underway and “asked us to start three or four days later.” CUSD 7 cooperates with Bunker Hill on special education services and other programs.
“Through our problems with tornados and such, they’ve honored our requests to start later in the past and we want to honor that for them this year,” Tieman said.
To keep the late start date from pushing the last day of school deeper into the summer, Tieman said the calendar reduces the number of emergency days from 10 to five. The calendar also adds additional afternoon for school improvement and calls for the Thanksgiving holiday to start on Wednesday rather than Thursday.
In other action, the board also approved renewing the district’s membership in the Illinois Elementary School Association.
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The Wilsonville Progressive Club will celebrate and host a 90 year Anniversary Party on Saturday, May 11. The party will include a catered dinner, a live band, and fireworks.
Doors will open at 2 pm with a catered dinner being served at 4 pm. The Shane Kessinger Experience (live band) will play at 5 pm, and a grand fireworks display will be held at dusk.
The Progressive Club was originally established in 1934 by the Progressive Miners and was located on the northwest side of Wilsonville’s main street. The Club moved to their new building in January of 1949 and today this is still the current location at 212 Wilson Street in Wilsonville.
Wilsonville was founded in 1917 when Superior Coal Co. Mine No. 4 was sunk and this was the most modern mine in the Superior field. At that time, the little settlement which grew up around the mine was called Wilson. One day a worker paused and asked, “What are we going to name this town?” President Wilson was in office, thus the town was then and there named Wilson until 1919 when it was incorporated and the name expanded to Wilsonville.
The Wilsonville Progressive Club is operated and maintained by an elected panel of trustees and loyal members. The Club is open to the public and membership is always welcome. The large outdoor covered pavilion and manicured grassy side lot offer an attractive and convenient venue for any event along with inside facilities.
If you are interested in renting for any kind of event, call 217-835-3122 during open hours which are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 4 pm to close, and Sunday doors open at 2 pm. Every Sunday afternoon at 4 pm is the Queen of Hearts drawing and the Club is on Facebook as well.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Oak Street in reference to a dog bite.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street to pick up a found item.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Chestnut Street in reference to a burglary.
An officer was out in the 200 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to a motorist assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Schmidt Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 1st Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Horizon Street in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a theft in the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Osie Street in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
Nicholas O. Landolt, 36, of Gillespie was arrested on multiple warrants including one out of St. Clair County for possession for methamphetamine, a second one out of Montgomery County for failure to appear for driving while license was revoked, and a third out of Macoupin County for failure to appear for methamphetamine.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical alarm.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 200 block of West Oak Street.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal damage to her property.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft.
An officer spoke with a female in the 100 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Southern Street in reference to a suspicious person.
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property. Melissa J. Hughes, 49, of Benld was arrested on a Montgomery County warrant for theft/larceny.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Francis Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 700 block of Rose Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Pine Street to assist the Department of Children and Family Services.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Broadway Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud in the 200 block of South Macoupin.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 and Staunton Road in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to High Street and Gillespie Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of High Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was flagged down at Elm Street and Clinton Street and spoke with an individual in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a suspicious circumstance.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a panic alarm sounding.
An officer was dispatched to the 1300 block of South Second Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Osie Street in reference to a dog bite. Heather L. Kimberlin, 47, of Gillespie was issued a citation for dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was out with a suspicious vehicle in the alley in the 500 block of Park Avenue.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut and South Main Street in Benld in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the Veterans Memorial Park in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle that had been parked there for a couple of days.
Gillespie Police Department was requested for traffic control by the Gillespie Fire Department for a fire on Eagarville Road.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Street in Gillespie in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a suspicious person at the storage units. Kathy J. Henderson, 49, of Sawyerville was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for bad checks
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Maple Street and Macoupin Street. Kenny L. Fults, 18, of Belleville was issued a citation for possession of cannabis.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Burton Street in reference to an animal complaint.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespassing. Timothy J. Dalpozzo, 57, of Benld was arrested for criminal trespassing to residence and a Macoupin County warrant for criminal trespassing to a residence.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at South Street and Chestnut Street and charges are pending crime lab results.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to Macoupin Street and Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Osie Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a medical call.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to an ordinance issue.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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LITCHFIELD, Ill. — HSHS St. Francis Hospital is offering service opportunities to area teens this summer through the 2024 Junior Volunteer Program. Applications are being accepted now through May 1.
Applicants must be high school students maintaining at least a “C” average, be a minimum of 14 years of age by June 1 and be willing to volunteer at least two hours per week during the summer program. Junior volunteers will perform a variety of duties in various hospital departments.
Registration materials are available on the hospital’s website volunteer page at https://www.hshs.org/st-francis/community/volunteer.
All participants in the program will be required to present proof of immunizations for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and Varicella (chicken pox). An additional requirement includes attendance at a hospital orientation.
A limited number of positions will be available. For more information, contact HSHS St. Francis Hospital at 217-324-8200.
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