Community News
Board votes to re-open schools for in-classroom learning
Community Unit School District 7 students will have the option of attending in-person classes when the winter break ends on Monday, Jan. 11 as a result of action taken by the Board of Education during a special meeting Thursday night.
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Jenni Alepra, the board voted unanimously to re-open district schools for in-classroom learning on the same four-day schedule that was in place when the schools were closed Nov. 30 in response to increasing numbers of COVID-19. Reading from a prepared statement after the vote, Supt. Shane Owsley said the district may consider restoring a five-day schedule as of Jan. 25. The five-day schedule, if approved, will have an early dismissal for students at 1 p.m. Online learning will remain available for parents who are uncomfortable with sending their children into the classroom.
All seven of the board’s elected members were physically present in the Gillespie Middle School cafeteria, along with Owsley and other “essential school district personnel” to keep the number of persons present under 10 individuals. Members of the public and media were allowed to observe the meeting via the Zoom teleconferencing system. Owsley said the protocol was put in place to comply with COVID-19 mitigation orders put in place by Gov. JB Pritzker.
Owsley said the measures ensured that members of the public were treated equally. “The district does not want to be placed in a position where it must pick and choose which members of the public can attend in-person versus which members must attend remotely,” Owsley read.
Following the vote on returning to the hybrid learning plan, Owsley read from a statement that will be sent to district parents and guardians to announce the return to in-person/remote learning.
The hybrid learning plan complies with Tier 3 COVID-19 mitigations imposed by the state, Owsley said.
“Tier 3 mitigations are scheduled to expire on Jan. 9,” Owsley said. “At this point there is no word on whether these mitigations will be extended or relaxed.”
There also have been no updates from IHSA/IESA regarding athletics, Owsley noted, but an IHSA meeting is scheduled Jan. 13. “Once further information is provided,” Owsley said, “it will be provided to our coaching staffs and families.”
Owsley also reminded the community that the district could return to remote learning “at a moment’s notice” if circumstances change.
“A return to remote instruction may be caused by an outbreak within a classroom or building, a high percentage of students or staff having to be quarantined, or simply not having enough substitutes to cover our classes,” Owsley said. “A return to remote instruction may also be necessary if the positivity rate of our county would again return to an alarming rate. The safety of our students and staff will always be our primary focus.”
Owsley acknowledged that teachers will again be expected to provide meaningful instruction for both in-person and remote access students. “The administration team and Board of Education understand what a challenging task this is and have full faith that the staff at CUSD 7 is once again up for the challenge,” Owsley said. In November, building principals reported to the board that about 30 percent of the district’s enrollment opted to attend in-person classes at that time.
Additionally, Owsley announced the district is eyeing implementing a five-day schedule starting Jan. 25 with an early dismissal each day.
“I will continue to be in close contact with the Macoupin County Health Department to monitor the positivity rate within our county,” Owsley concluded. “It is my hope that we’ll begin seeing a decrease in the positivity rate within our county and that the educational world can once again return to something that resembles normal.”
Before the board voted on returning to in-classroom learning, Michelle Smith, president of the teacher’s union spoke on behalf of the union, urging the board to approve the proposal. She also asked the board to set forth a clear plan and timeline for responding to the pandemic over the next several months, and to communicate with teachers, students and community members about future plans. The union opposed, she said, changing plans with no more than one business day’s notice.
Smith outlined four priorities upon which the union agreed moving forward—education, safety, consistency and planning. Smith said the union’s position is that students perform better when they are able to attend in-person classes with certified teachers and support staff. Additionally, due to the continuing pandemic, limited quantities of vaccine and the appearance of a new, more transmissible strain of the COVID virus, Smith said it is important to continue “certain safety guidelines set forth by the CDC, IDPH and Macoupin County health department” to reduce the risk of exposure among students and staff.
Regarding consistency and planning, Smith said the union encourages consistent communication with staff and students so that everyone knows what is expected of them and why. “Even though this past year has been anything but consistent, we feel, as educational leaders, (consistency) is extremely important in maintaining student engagement,” Smith said.
Thoughtful planning is needed, she said, so students, teachers, staff, administrators and members of the community have time to “plan and consider a straight path back to full in-person learning and back to our number one priority (education) to take its rightful place again.”
There were no comments from the public.
The next regular meeting of the board is set for Monday, Jan. 25.
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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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