Community News
Gillespie edges toward $10 million water project; approves $15 million appropriations ordinance
City Treasurer Dan Fisher summarized details of the new appropriation.
The Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved a $15 million appropriations ordinance—up about $10 million from last year—for the fiscal year that began May 1. City Treasurer Dan Fisher said the new appropriation, which sets annual spending limits for specific funds, is markedly larger than last year’s appropriation because it includes $10 million of expenditures in anticipation of undertaking a project to replace water lines throughout the city, as well as $200,000 to retire an existing loan before taking on the new debt. In a separate discussion, Fisher distributed to council members and financial analysis indicating the city could service the $10 million loan without raising water and sewers beyond the rate of inflation.
Approval of the appropriations ordinance followed a 10-minute public hearing prior to the regular council meeting during which City Treasurer Dan Fisher summarized details of the new appropriation. Excluding the $10,200,000 in anticipated expenditures for water system infrastructure improvements, the appropriation totals about $5 million—up about $300,000 from last year’s appropriation. While not technically a budget, the appropriation does set the maximum amount the city can spend from specific funds without amending the appropriation. Realistically, Fisher said the city’s operating budget amounts to about $3.2 million, though the appropriation provides a significant cushion in spending authority for most funds.
The Water Department accounts for the lion’s share of the appropriation total. Excluding the anticipated infrastructure expenditures, $1,687,750 is appropriated for the Water Department—up about $7,000 from last year. With the $10 million for the anticipated water system project included, this year’s Water Department appropriation comes to $11,8937,750. Other substantial appropriations include $780,500 for the Police Department (up from $754,000 last year), $489,660 for the Sewer Department (up from $487,660 last year), and $258,900 for General Administration expenses (up from $240,125 last year).
Fisher distributed to council members and financial analysis indicating the city could service the $10 million loan without raising water and sewers beyond the rate of inflation.
On the recommendation of council members, the ordinance was amended to include $100,000 each for the construction of a new city garage and the purchase of a dump truck for the Street Department, bringing the total Street Department appropriation to $740,000, compared with $477,000 last year,
Additionally, the new appropriation sets spending limits of $39,820 for Elective and Appointed City Official salaries, compared with $37,700 last year; $57,000 for the Municipal Administrative Building, compared with $52,100 a year ago; $403,300 for City Lakes and Parks, compare with $398,800 for last year; and $21,000 for Emergency Services and Disaster management. The Public Library appropriation is unchanged from last year at $38,270. Likewise, the appropriation for Parks and Recreation Areas is the same at $43,500. A total of $3,000 is appropriated for the Municipal Band, $90,000 for participation in FICA, and $50,000 for Liability Insurance, all of which are unchanged from the previous year.
A total of $150,000 in expenditures is appropriated for the Motor Fuel Tax Fund, and $215,000 in expenditures is authorized from the Tax Increment Finance fund. Both are unchanged from the previous year.
“Most of the increases are largely due to what we foresee either through contracts, increases in salaries or increases in insurance,” Fisher noted.
With the inclusion of an additional $200,000 for the Street Department, the appropriation was unanimously approved later in the regular meeting on a motion by Ald. Steve Kluthe, seconded by Ald. Dave Tucker.
Following a presentation by Fisher, the council voted to retain the city’s outside auditing firm to review financial data to confirm the feasibility of the city’s ability to take on $10 million in debt to replace water lines city wide on a motion by Ald. Jim Anderson.
“I really think we should have outside eyes look at this,” Alderson said. “Forty years is a long way to look into the future. I would like to have our auditors look at this and make a 40-year projection. I think that would be prudent and I think it would be well spent.”
The action followed an extensive presentation by Fisher during which he reiterated his position that the city is in the position to borrow the money and undertake the project without having to raise water rates “for the foreseeable future” to service the debt. Fisher said his position is based on an analysis of the Water Department’s financial data and is contingent upon current interest rates. The city currently has the ability to borrow the money through the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program at an interest rate of two percent and with a payback period of 40 years. However, Fisher warned, interest rates could be increased as soon as next month, which would “derail” his projections for servicing the loan.
We have the ability to do a $10 million project without having an impact on our rates for the foreseeable future.
“We have the ability to do a $10 million project without having an impact on our rates for the foreseeable future,” Fisher said. He acknowledged, however, that his analysis is based on current revenues and expenditures; declining revenue and/or increasing costs in the future could require a rate increase as early as 2024 or as late as 2026. To mitigate against that contingency, he suggested the possibility of adding a surcharge of 25 cents to 35 cents to customer water bills at the front end of the payback period.
“I’m not talking about 25 cents or 35 cents per 1,000 gallons, I’m talking about 25 cents to 35 cents period,” he said. A surcharge, he said, could generate about $50,000 per year to devote to debt service. “I think most people would be comfortable if we told them, ‘We’re going to replace all the water lines in the city and it’s going to cost you maybe 35 cents per month.”
Using a spread sheet based on last year’s operation, Fisher said the Water Department had $1.3 million in revenue, with about $913,000 in expenditures. About $203,000 of those expenditures—about 22 percent—were for servicing an existing Illinois Environmental Protection Agency loan. The Water Department currently has sufficient funds to retire the IEPA loan with a single payment of $482,511, according to Fisher, and still end the fiscal year with more than $700,000 in the bank.
“Before this council took over, we lived a lot of years with less than $700,000 in the bank,” Fisher said. “I’m not suggesting that we go back to that.”
Annual payments on the USDA loan would amount to about $402,000 annually. For the first two years of the loan, however, the city would pay interest only of about $200,000 per year. The savings of $202,000 per year for the first two years basically would cover the cost of paying off the existing IEPA loan early, according to Fisher.
“It’s basically a wash,” he said.
Again, based on current numbers, Fisher said the Water Department would net about $80,000 per year while still making its loan payments to USDA.
“That’s with no rate increase,” he reiterated.
Using figures from the city’s annual audit, Fisher said the Water Department has netted $85,000 to nearly $230,000 per year after paying expenses since 2011. Paying off the IEPA loan would free up $128,000 per year that’s now directed to debt service.
“What I’m telling you is that five years ago, we could have funded this project,” Fisher said. “But we’ve lost five years.”
Going a step further, Fisher ran profit and loss scenarios based on a 3.5 percent increase in Water Department expenditures. If revenue remains stable over the next 40 years, Fisher said the city would not be forced to raise rates until 2026 even if the cost of operation increases by 3.5 percent per year. Under the same circumstances, the city would not have to consider raising rates until 2024 if revenue started to decline at a rate of one percent per year.
“I’m showing you this to show you that when I say something like we can fund a $10 million project without raising rates, I’m telling the truth—for now,” Fisher said. “But down the road we will have to do something.”
Fisher warned that the feasibility of financing the project could change dramatically in as little as a month. In July, USDA starts “pooling money,” Fisher said, meaning that the agency calls in all unused money from each state to go into a pool for redistribution. Sometime after the pooling, he said, interest rates are likely to be adjusted. The current rate is two percent and even a slight increase in the rate on a $10 million loan could push the city’s annual obligation significantly upward.
“If interest rates go up from two percent to 2.5 percent, that is $50,000 a year more we’d have to pay,” he said. “That’s a lot of money.”
Fisher tried to allay the concerns of nervous aldermen by noting the USDA will vette the city’s finances before approving the loan.
In addition to acquiescing to Ald. Alderson’s recommendation to seek a second opinion from the city’s auditors, Fisher tried to allay the concerns of nervous aldermen by noting the USDA will vette the city’s finances before approving the loan. The Rural Development program has an extensive underwriting process to determine whether a municipality can afford a loan and whether or not its water rates need to be raised to service the debt. By contract, the city will agree to raise rates if it becomes necessary during the life of the loan. He also said USDA will “keep on top of” the city to ensure it applies for the loan in a timely manner to get the best interest rate possible.
POLICE INVESTIGATOR
By a vote of six-to-one, the council agreed to let Police Chief Jared DePoppe appoint a Police Investigator on a six-month trial basis. DePoppe and Ald. Kluthe, Police Committee Chair, first presented the idea last month.
“I believe it is needed and I think it is in the best interest of the city,” DePoppe told the council Monday night. DePoppe reportedly plans to appoint Lori Gerdes to the investigator’s post. Under the proposal, she will be on patrol eight hours a week and work 32 hours per week as an investigator. As an investigator, she will not only be responsible for interviewing witnesses and suspects, but also handling paper work, managing evidence and preparing criminal cases for presentation to the State’s Attorney for prosecution. Ultimately, DePoppe and Kluthe said, the system will free up time for regular patrol officers and reduce the amount of overtime the department logs.
We’re looking at this as a trial basis.
“We’re looking at this as a trial basis,” Ald. Kluthe said. “I want to see if there is a need for this, too.” He said the committee plans to revisit the issue in six months and make determination at that time about how well the program is working and whether or not it should be continued. A decision probably would be made at that time about whether or not to hire an additional patrol officer.
“My understanding is that you’re creating a position, not adding an employee?” Ald. Alderson asked.
“The position has always been there,” Kluthe said. “It’s just that Jared has being doing it.” When the Department’s former investigator resigned, Kluthe said, DePoppe took over the investigative duties. Kluthe said investigative duties place a large demand on DePoppe’s time.
“Jared is handling more than 20 cases himself,” Kluthe said. “That’s sex abuse cases, thefts, forgeries and a whole gamut of felonies being handled on top of his regular duties.”
Ald. Jan Weidner asked about how the investigator’s hours will be distributed. When DePoppe said the tentative schedule calls for the investigator to patrol for eight hours per week with 32 hours devoted to investigative duties, Weidner expressed some surprise that Gillespie would require that many hours for investigative work.
“That’s not just investigating,” DePoppe said. “That’s case management, going up to the State’s Attorney’s, and so forth. There’s a lot of paperwork. There’s a lot that goes into investigating apart from interviewing.”
Both DePoppe and Kluthe indicated the hours assigned for investigative work could be flexible, depending upon case loads and what is learned from the six-month trial period. The officer appointed as investigator will receive a 25-cent per hour raise. If Gerdes is appointed, DePoppe said, she actually will take a slight decrease in wages because she currently gets a 35-cent shift differential.
Brought to a vote, the measure to appoint an investigator on a trial basis was approved with Ald. Weidner casting the sole negative vote.
Kluthe also reported to the council that the Police Department needs a replacement squad car.
Kluthe also reported to the council that the Police Department needs a replacement squad car for the vehicle Police Chief DePoppe currently is using.
“Between January and today, it has cost us $2,100 for repairs,” Kluthe said. “It’s nickel and diming us to death. We need to get rid of it now.”
He said he Morrow Brothers Ford, the vendor that supplies police cars under state contact, is looking for a used squad car for the city. Kluthe said he will return to the council with pricing for a replacement vehicle at a later date.
“I’ll try to be as frugal as a I can,” he said.
DePoppe reported to the council that a memorial for county law enforcement officers and firefighters is being planned for the Macoupin County Courthouse lawn throughout the efforts of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department. The monument will honor the memory of four police officers and one firefighter who have lost their lives in the line of duty in Macoupin County, he said.
“They’re hoping to raise at least $3,000,” DePoppe said. “Of course, the more money they raise, the nicer the monument.”
DePoppe said local officers plan to raise funds for the monument and he encouraged the council to consider making a donation on behalf of the city.
DRAINAGE ISSUE
Mayor John Hicks referred to committee the issue of addressing reported drainage problems at 311 Adams Street. The action followed a brief, sometimes heated, discussion between owner Ray Litzau and city aldermen.
Litzau arrived in the council chambers a few minutes late and after the time allotted for public comment. At the end of the meeting, Hicks told the council it was up to the aldermen to decide whether or not to allow Litzau to speak. After council members agreed to hear him, Litzau renewed his complaints about drainage at his property which he claims resulted from an alley adjacent to his property being too high. He said city workers addressed the issue by grinding down some of the alley surface near its intersection with the street and placing a culvert under the alleyway.
Monday night, Litzau said he is afraid truck traffic using the alley will cause the six-inch culvert to collapse and again divert water to his property. In addition, he said the alley remains too high south of Adams Street, causing water to enter his building on the east side. “I had to mop up mud in that room,” he said. “That room has never had water in it before.”
“You can see the hump in the alley,” he said. “I’m asking that you please make that go away, which is the city’s legal obligation. I’m trying my damnedest to make this work.”
Litzau has approached the council on several occasions in the past to register complaints about the drainage issue. On Monday night, Ald. Jerry Dolliger bristled at Litzau’s suggestion that he trespassed on Litzau’s property in Litzau’s absence to investigate the issue. Dolliger also questioned where mud would have come from to enter Litzau’s property, saying the city installed rock on the alley and if there was mud in the building, it came from Litzau’s own property.
LIBRARY BASEMENT
Steve Joyce, head librarian for the City Public Library, also addressed the council concerning and issue with water entering the library basement during periods of heavy rainfall. He said the city previously agreed to split the cost of resolving the issue. However, city workers were unable to use city equipment to jet the drains, but a private contractor was able to partially jet the pipes. That jetting demonstrated the drains are clear but only to a certain point.
“When water comes in, it can’t get out,” Joyce said. “We can’t have water in the library” because of potential damage to books and documents. In addition to the faulty drains, Joyce said an artificial swale at the back of the library also appears to be diverting water toward the building and further exacerbating the problem. The proposed solution, he said, is to cut out both drains, replace them with new drains and install road pack at the back of the building to divert water away. The total cost of the project won’t be known until the drains are removed and workers can determine how far they have to got to get past the blockage.
Mayor Hicks advised Joyce to have the preliminary work done with the provision the city will share the cost. If the cost appears to be becoming excessive, Hicks asked Joyce to return to the city with a more complete estimate.
DERELICT PROPERTIES
Council members briefly discussed abandoned and derelict properties in the city, citing several properties where grass and weeds have been allowed to grow, and abandoned properties that pose a hazard to the public.
“I hope the aldermen are paying attention to this,” said Mayor John Hicks. “This is what you should be doing in your wards. Take a drive around your ward on a Sunday and make a note of tall grass, junk cars and mattresses in the yard.”
Ald. Kluthe said he had received complaints about an abandoned residence in his ward that apparently is attracting snakes and vermin.
City Attorney Kevin Polo said the city can pursue nuisance actions against such properties, but said the council should be aware that such actions will cost the city some money upfront. Successful actions could result in the city ending up owning the very properties the city wanted cleaned up. In some cases, ownership can be difficult to determine and in some cases no one will take responsibility for ownership.The house Kluthe cited “technically is owned by a couple of people who have been dead for three decades,” Polo noted. Pursuing a nuisance action against that home, he said, would require tracking down heirs of the deceased owners and since the couple was unmarried, city officials essentially would be looking for members of two extended families. In the meantime, he said, the house has never gone up for a tax deed sale because some of the heirs have continued to pay property taxes on the home.
For some other derelict houses, Polo said it’s hoped the abandoned properties eventually will be acquired by responsible owners through tax deed sales. That process, however, takes three years of delinquency before the property can be sold.
“It’s too bad it takes so long,” said Ald. Alderson.
PONTOON BOAT FOR LAKE
The council voted unanimously to purchase a used pontoon boat at a cost of $1,700 from Tom Bauer of Gillespie for use by Gillespie Lake personnel. The 1997 boat is 28 feet long and is equipped with a 90-horsepower Johnson outboard motor. It also has been stripped down to basically a deck, which is what lake personnel need, according to Ald. Kluthe and lake employee Gary Thornhill.
“It’s a safety issue,” Kluthe said. He said lake workers currently use a patrol boat for such tasks as placing buoys, driving pilings and removing debris. “Someday we’re going to have an accident out there.”
OTHER ACTION:
In other action, the council:
- Agreed to make a donation to the Macoupin County Safe Families program in the same amount as last year’s contribution.
- Approved a lake lot lease transfer from Greg Dolliger to Kendall Lowery at No. 370 on the New Lake. The lot is one of the new lots created by council action earlier this year. Ald. Dolliger voted present on the transfer because Greg Dolliger is his son.
- Voted to implement a previously approved salary increase for the City Clerk and City Treasurer, retroactive to the April consolidated election. The measure raises pay for the offices from $200 to $230 per meeting, bringing their stipends to the same level as city aldermen’s wages.
- Approved issuance of business licenses for Reids Service at 805 South Staunton Street and Elite Technology at 204 West Eastland Street. Reids, moving into the former location of Bank of America, provides electrical and heating, air conditioning and ventilation services. Elite Technology is a graphic design company owned by Douglas Heyen. The firm has two employees and provides computer services, web design, screen printing and other services.
- Approved the purchase of 10 outdoor lighting fixtures for the water treatment plant at a cost not to exceed $500. Ald. Tucker said the lights are not working and are needed for safety.
- Adopted a state-mandated prevailing wage ordinance requiring the city to use contractors who pay their employees at least the prevailing wage as determined by the Department of Labor. Municipalities are required to adopt a prevailing wage ordinance every year.
Comments
Representatives of a food management company pitched their vision for reshaping school lunch and breakfast offerings at Community Unit School District 7 schools during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education. Later, however, the head cook at BenGil Elementary School expressed doubts about what the company promised to deliver. “They make it sound like it’s all a gravy train,” said Jackie McKinney. “It’s not.”
No action followed a 20-minute presentation by Bill Fritcher, Business Development Associate, and Angie Eden, a food service worker, from Opaa! Food Management, Inc., Chesterfield, Mo. There was no clear indication whether the board or district administration is leaning toward contracting with the company.
Founded in 1978, Opaa! Provides food management services to more than 800 schools in 250 school districts spread out over seven states. The company serves 21 schools in Illinois, including the nearby Staunton, Litchfield, Jersey and Nokomis school districts. The company claims a 97 percent retention rate among its client schools.
Fritcher, a former administrator in the Neoga school district, said the company emphasizes home-cooked foods made from scratch. Opaa! provides both hot and cold entrees, and schools can tailor offerings to meet their needs and budgets. Hot entrees include items such as roast turkey, meatloaf, cheeseburgers, pizzas and spaghetti. The company also serves a variety of cold sub sandwiches. Again, depending upon the details of its contract with a school district, the company can provide a salad bar, along with fresh fruit.
Breakfast offerings can include hot or cold cereal, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast burritos. Some client schools offer a “breakfast on the go” option where students can grab a breakfast item during the mid-morning hours of the school day. As part of its service, Opaa! would provide an all-day “Gulp Station” with dispensers of lemonade, iced tea and water.
“There’s a lot of local control over menu items,” Fritcher said. “If a school doesn’t want us serving coffee to students, we don’t serve coffee.”
Fritcher said the school district would continue to set pricing for school lunches and breakfasts, collect payments and control the revenue stream. The district also would continue to own food service equipment and facilities. At a minimum, Opaa! would place it’s own employee as a food service manager, but other food service workers can be either Opaa! employees or employees of the school district. In either case, the school district would have final say over who is allowed to work in the school district.
“You’d have control of who is working in the school and is around your kids,” Fritcher said.
According to Fritcher, the company emphasizes presentation.
“We want the food to look good so kids will eat it,” he said. “We strive to make it enjoyable for the kids.”
Client schools submit photos of daily offerings to the home office for approval, Eden said. As an example, she cited an instance when she submitted a photo from Neoga that included broccoli as a side item. The home office said the broccoli looked too brown and demanded it be replaced with fresher produce.
Fritcher said the company employees an executive chef to create recipes and standards for food served to students. The chef has created a number of streaming videos used to train on site staff.
Key to the operation is a computer program for food management. Eden said the program monitors what food the district has in the freezer and pantry, and adjust menus to best utilize resources on hand. The program also provides a portal parents and students can access to see weekly menus.
A food management contract would be subject to state bidding requirements, according to Fritcher. To start the process, the district would create a Request for Proposals to solicit bids. If Opaa! Is the successful bidder, the company would offer a five-year fixed price agreement, renewable on an annual basis. Either party would be able to end the contract upon a 90-day notice.
During a public comment period, McKinney alleged Opaa!’s promises have not matched reality in nearby school districts. The head cook at Litchfield, she pointed out, quit soon after Opaa! took over. Pizzas and some other food items, she said, do not match the company’s claims.
“We were told this is not about the money, it’s about the choices,” she said. “If you want more options, someone needs to tell us.”
McKinney said she has been employed by the district in food services since 2002. The proposal to hire an outside food management company, she said, comes as “a slap in the face.”
McKinney predicted problems if the district contracts with Opaa!, particularly in the elementary school.
“I don’t see how our kindergarteners are going to be able to carry their own tray and serve themselves,” she said. “They’re going to drop their trays. We get our kids through the serving line in five minutes so they have time to sit down and eat. When they have to make their own tray, how long do you think that’s going to take?”
McKinney also predicted issues with food sanitation when young children with runny noses and/or dirty hands are expected to serve themselves from the food line.
McKinney said an outside company cannot be expected to know local students like local food service workers know them.
“I watch for a little boy who comes through my line every day because I know he doesn’t get food at home like he does here,” she said. “We’re here for the kids and I don’t think these people are.”
In a somewhat related matter which could facilitate transitioning to an outside food service, the board accepted with “regret” the retirements of head high school/middle school cook Penny Feeley and GHS/GMS cook Janice Hammann, both effective on June 30.
PERSONNEL
The board took action on a number of personnel issues following an executive session of about one hour.
In separate actions, the board voted unanimously to rehire the following fourth-year teachers and grant them tenure for the 2024-25 school year: Nikki Jenner, Katie Lievers, Alex Newton, Pete Visintin and Jacob West.
The following non-tenured staff were hired for the 2024-25 school year: school nurse Rachel Bouillon, fifth grade teacher Radeana Gentzyel, speech pathologist Kaylee Collins, special education teacher Jaiden Braundmeier, kindergarten teacher Jessica Yeager, fist grade teacher Sydney Owsley, band teacher Brad Taulbee, chorus teacher Ben McCullough, Tim Biggs, special education teacher Cory Bonstead, and Dalton Barnes.
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Mark Hayes, the board rehired the following tenured teachers for 2024-25: Lorraine Strutner, Jody Dunn, Melissa Bussmann, Tracy Hostettler, Darrick Urban, Kara Saracco, Kelly Lyons, Holly Nejmanowski, Jennifer Parker, Anastasia Hobaugh, Cate Plovich, Amy Price, Nickie Barrett, Jessi Luketich, Mindy Savant, Karissa Smith, Beth Sees, Valerie Jubelt, Carrie Scott, Dana Tieman, Marcia Johns, Colleen Favre, Celia Jubelt, Jamie Schmidt, Nancy Schmidt, Lori Emmons, Vanessa Barrett, Amy Geddes, Lisa Ballinger, Amber Allan, Kim Henderson, Christina Blevins, Chase Peterson, Jessica Kelly, Tammy Garde, Nate Heinrich’s, Casey Edgerton, Kyle Lamar, Stephanie Wilson, Elizabeth Thackery, Shanna Conner, Matthew Browner, Jeremy Smith, Rachelle Prough, Jarrod Herron, Jill Stole, Korben Clark, Kayla Wills, Nikki Browner, Kevin McNichols, Katie Orange, Robert Macias, Casey Sholtis, Jennifer Brown, Jeff Nelhs, Mark Goldasich, Troy Barker, Michelle Smith, Holley McFarland, Michael Bertagnolli, Mary Schuette, Nichole Stoecker, Amy Goldasich, David Edgerton, Ashlee Gibbs, Stuart Ringer, Kelly Bully, Whitney Page and Stephanie Bray.
The board accepted “with regret” the retirement of BenGil Elementary teacher Dana Tieman, effective at the end of the 2027-28 school year. The board also accepted “with regret” the resignation for purposes of retirement of GMS paraprofessional Ella May Roemer, effective at the end of the 2024 fiscal year, and posted the position as vacant.
Board members accepted the resignation of high school paraprofessional Darian Gill, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted Gill’s resignation at the GHS/GMS cheerleading coach and posted that position as vacant.
Board members unanimously agreed to post vacancies for the following summer school positions: high school math, English and drivers’ education; middle school math, English and science; and six elementary positions. Additionally, the board posted two summer school food service positions.
The board accepted “with regret” the resignation of long-time GHS head women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted the resignation of Korbin Clark as GMS seventh-grade basketball coach and posted the position as vacant.
The board voted unanimously to appoint Elizabeth Eaker as a volunteer assistant dance coach, pending verification of certification and a background check. In separate actions, the board agreed to appoint Foley Seferi and James Bryant a volunteer assistant high school football coaches, pending verification of certification and a background check.
By a unanimous vote, the board accepted the resignation of district custodian Owen Parker, and posted the position as vacant. The board also voted to post vacancies for two full-route bus drivers for the 2024-25 school year, and hired Billie Bowles as a substitute bus driver, pending verification of certification and a background check.
REPAVING
The board awarded a $62,524 contract to DeLaurent Construction Co., Inc., Wilsonville, to repave five district parking lots. DeLaurent was the low bidder for the project. The contract will be paid from proceeds of a $1.6 million alternate revenue bond sale for capital projects.
Supt. Shane Owsley reported that he is starting to gather estimates for other upcoming projects to be underwritten with bond revenue, including a project to refinish the high school gym floor, a project to reline the all-weather track and a major HVAC project.
SURPLUS WEIGHT ROOM EQUIPMENT
On Owsley’s recommendation, the board accepted a list of surplus weight room equipment and agreed to offer the equipment for sale via sealed bids. The equipment, which includes stationary bikes, running machines, free weights, benches, dumbbells and racks, was replaced with new equipment as part of a recently completed project to renovate and re-equip the weight room.
EARLY GRADUATION REQUESTS
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board unanimously approved early graduation requests for Maria Alger, Eliana Barrios-Madison, Owen Baugh, Gage Bonds, Abby Carter, John Q. Halterman, Eva Hidden, Felicia Lambert, Emma Luckshis, Ashley Markulakis, McKenna Montoro, Kaden Reiffer, Abigail Sharp, Jayden Stangle, Cooper Wentler, Ashton Whitlow and Avery Young. The students will be allowed to graduate at the end of their eleventh year of high school at the end of the current school year, provided all graduation requirements have been met.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, the board recognized high school women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, who is retiring after a career of 16 seasons. High School Principal Jill Rosentreter noted that Gray led this year’s team to the Sectional Tournament in Beardstown after winning their first regional championship since 2012. The team also won its first County Tournament since 2002, and celebrated 26 wins—the most ever.
During the Carlinville Rotary’s All-Star Game, Gray was named Rotary’s Coach of the Year.
“On behalf of CUSD 7 and all you former players, we express much gratitude for your many years of service, dedication, leadership, wisdom and professional demeanor on and off the court,” Rosentreter told Gray.
Also during the District Focus, a group of fifth graders told the board about their recent field trip to Busch Stadium, where they learned about practical math applications and other subjects.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Gave final approval to the 2024-25 school calendar, calling for the first day of school attendance on Aug. 14 with the last day of school set for May 29, or earlier if no emergency days are used.
- Approved a schedule of board meeting dates for the coming year. The board will meet in executive session at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month with the open session beginning at 7 p.m. The December meeting is set one week earlier on Dec. 16 to avoid conflict with the winter break.
- Awarded the annual bid to supply fuel to low bidder M & M Service Co., Carlinville.
- Voted to renew the district’s annual membership in the Illinois High School Association.
- Rescheduled the April board meeting from Monday, April 22, to Tuesday, April 23, to avoid a conflict.
Comments
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to child abuse.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was out in the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a security check.
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 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 LJ Avenue in reference to a domestic battery. Regan M. Treadway, 22, of Hillsboro was arrested for domestic battery.
Gillespie Police Department assisted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department with a criminal investigation.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Burton Street in reference to an ordinance issue of illegal burning. Charles H. Daubman, 62, of Gillespie was issued a citation for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer during normal patrol in the 100 block of South 7th Street in Benld noticed a trunk open on a vehicle. The officer made contact with the owners and they secured the trunk after checking it.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to illegal dumping.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Hickory in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 2nd Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Easton Street in reference to a civil standby.
The School Resource Officer called in requesting assistance in reference to a female student that had left the school.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 by the nursing home to check on a person on a bike with no lights.
An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Route 138 in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to an animal complaint.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Benld. Logan G. Lawson, 22, of Roodhouse was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 200 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare. David E. Schmidt, 46, of Staunton was issued citations for speeding, expired registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Spruce Street in reference to illegal parking.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Jersey Street in reference to an open line 911 call.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Candace N. Carlen, 36, of New Douglas was issued a citation for speeding.
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 was dispatched to the 200 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to West Dorsey Street and South Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to a medical assist.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Esha V. Bhatt, 30, of Edwardsville was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Nicole L Richey, 34, of Wilsonville was issued a citation for speeding and expired registration.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of 9th Street in Benld in reference to a suicidal subject
An officer was out with a suspicious person at Main Street and Spruce Street in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Elm Street. Walter L. Vester, 29, of Gillespie was arrested on a Glenn Carbon warrant for larceny.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Jordan L. Jett, 23, of Hillsboro was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to aggravated assault. Levi T. Kroll, 34, of Carlinville was arrested for aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, and operation of a vehicle with suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a theft.
An officer was dispatched to LJ Avenue where multiple vehicles were parked in a no-parking zone. After multiple announcements asking them to move, two vehicles remained and received citations. Jeromy J Moore, 47, of Greenfield and Matthew E. Raffety, 52, of Bunker Hill were issued citations for parking in a no-parking zone.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a domestic battery. Mitchela P. Zbornak, 34, of Gillespie was arrested for domestic battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Oak Street in reference to an ordinance issue for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Oak Street in reference to a possible burglary.
The School Resource Officer called in reckless driving in the high school parking lot.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to retail theft and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Illinois Street and Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a loud vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to a suspicious person.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a 911 hang-up call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Oak for a 911 untraceable call the officers checked the area and were unable to find an emergency.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to down wires at Dorsey Road and 1st Street in Mt. Clare. Ameren was contacted to remove the wiring.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Community News
Denby wins judicial nomination in three-way race; Trump, Biden top choices for Macoupin voters
Carlinville attorney Thomas Denby easily sailed to victory in a three-way race to be nominated as the Republican candidate for Resident Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Judge in Macoupin County in Tuesday’s Primary Election balloting.
Denby captured 63.26 percent of the Republican vote, easily besting Jonathan Verticchio’s 23.46 percent and Aaron Bellm’s 13.28 percent. In terms of raw vote numbers, Denby landed 2,534 votes to Verticchio’s 940 votes and Bellm’s 532 votes.
There were no judicial candidates for the race on the Democrat side of the ballot.
As a result of Tuesday’s election, Denby is likely to step into the office being vacated Resident Circuit Judge Kenneth Deihl, who was first elected as a Democrat in 2006, when he narrowly defeated Republican nominee Kevin Polo. It’s unclear whether or not the Democrat Central Committee can legally name a candidate to run against Denby in the General Election this fall, meaning Denby is the likely successor to Deihl.
There were no surprises locally in the Presidential races. Macoupin Democrats favored incumbent Joe Biden with 89.62 percent of the vote, while Republicans cast 83.39 percent of their votes for former President Donald Trump.
Although no longer a candidate, Nikki Haley gained 12.18 percent of the Republican vote. Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Ryan Brinkley each took less than three percent of the Republican vote. On the Democrat side, Biden’s support was eroded by 10.28 percent of the vote shared by Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson and Frank Lozada.
A total of 5,741 voters cast votes in the Macoupin Primary, representing 18.67 percent of the county’s 30,757 registered voters. That could indicate a softening of interest in the Biden/Trump rematch. In 2016, when Trump and Hilary Clinton were nominated, a stunning 45.82 percent of Macoupin’s voters cast ballots in the primary election. Four years later, 23.54 percent of the county’s voters participated in the primary, despite restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the Republican nomination for U.S. Congressional Representative for the 13th District, Joshua Loyd took 57.28 percent of the Macoupin vote, compared with 42.72 percent for Thomas Clatterback. The Congressional vote mirrored voting district-wide in which Loyd took the nomination with 55.9 percent of the total vote. Loyd will take on freshman Representative Nikki Budzinski on the Democrat side, who ran unopposed for the nomination.
A number of county races were unopposed. On the Democrat side, incumbent Jordan Garrison took 1,387 votes for State’s Attorney, while incumbent Coroner Anthony Kravanya took 1,471 Democrat votes. On the Republican side Amy J. Ashby took 3,448 votes to be nominated for Circuit Clerk. Ashby becomes the likely successor to Democrat Lee Ross who is stepping down.
Though not likely, both parties could name candidates to run for county offices in November. Otherwise Garrison, Kravanya and Ashby will run unopposed for the General Election. A win by Ashby would make her the second Republican constitutional officer in the Courthouse. Two years ago, County Treasurer Amber McGartland became the first Republican elected to a Courthouse office since A.C. “Julie” Bartulis served as Treasurer in the 1960s.
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