GHS News
Letter to the Editor – Harry Cavanaugh
Since I will be unable to attend the “meet and greet” sponsored by the teachers’ union on March 20th because of a family obligation, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself and share my thoughts and reasons for running for the Board of Education.
For the past 41 years, I have been involved in public education. I began my career as a business education teacher in the fall of 1969 in the Bunker Hill school system. I subsequently went on to become high school guidance counselor and principal, spending a total of 30 years in the district. In 1999, I was given the opportunity to become principal of Gillespie High School. I left the position after 5 years to assume the superintendency of the Lebanon Community Unit School District 9. I retired in June of 2010. I believe my background and experience will offer some depth to the board.
Although each district has its unique characteristics, the issues facing their respective Boards of Education are very similar. They must deal with students and staff, parents, test scores, monetary problems caused by dwindling resources at the local and state level, legal issues, transportation, food service, athletics, as well as problems specific to their districts. Board members have a responsibility to deal with these issues from an informed, objective and rational perspective. For the most part, the information used to reach these decisions come from the superintendent who provides the board members with his recommendation backed up by his rationale for the recommendation. However, it is also the member’s responsibility to go beyond the mere dissemination of information and research the issue, not to just accept things at face value, but to look below the surface and to question the recommendation when it is necessary. They are elected to represent the taxpayers who elected them. It is their duty and responsibility to exercise due diligence when it comes to making decisions that affect the district.
There must be accountability at all levels. Board members are ultimately accountable to the people who elected them. They can be voted out when they fail in the public’s opinion. They in turn should expect and demand the same level of accountability from the administration. There is no excuse for mediocrity in education. We owe it to our students to give them a quality of education with dedicated professionals at the helm. The board doesn’t have the luxury of voting our staff who fail to adequately perform, but they can and should send the message through administrators who are responsible for evaluating their performance. It may be difficult, but it certainly isn’t impossible to remove staff members who fail to deliver the services for which they were hired. Unfortunately, tenure laws have allowed under performing staff members to cruise along until they decide to retire. But tenure laws cannot protect these teachers when administrator’s evaluations properly reflect their performance and necessary steps are taken to remediate them or dismiss them.
An educated, fiscally responsible board that is receptive and accountable to the needs of the communities they represent is our best hope of having a district that will deal with all issues facing it in the most informed, efficient manner. In order to achieve this, I would encourage ALL board members to take advantage of workshops offered by the Illinois Association of School Boards. The law requires our teacher and administrators to keep current by annually attending professional development workshops and/or classes. Why should any less be expected of the people responsible for running a million-dollar business? Blindly playing follow the leader can find you at the bottom of the cliff.
Our physical plant has been vastly improved. A new building is in the works. It is now time to address our curriculum. The Illinois State Board of Education has once again changed the rules. The Learning Standards are out and a new mandate is being implemented. We need to be exploring ways to address the never-ending problem of test scores. I think it is time to reevaluate our priorities and to consider allocating some of our resources to hire a curriculum director. In December, the board decided to withdraw from Region III Special Education Cooperative in what they claimed was a move to save money. The money that was supposedly saved could be used to create this position. Money was spent to create a new administrative position, with the explanation that they wanted to start mentoring administrators so that the “revolving door” that was predominant years ago wouldn’t happen again. If so, why wasn’t this implemented then, when the district was in a state of flux, rather than when it is stable? The administrators who have been hired under this umbrella all have roots in the community. I think that if you asked any one of them if they had an intention of leaving the district, you would quickly discover that they are all happy where they are and have no intention of leaving. The money being spent on this mentoring program could go on for as long as three years. Once the funds for the construction of the new building are gone, where will the money come from to fund this initiative? Why not use those funds to pay for some of the programs and personnel that were cut last year? Or it could be used to relieve the parents of the burden of providing funds for certain sports. Is this the best way to serve the needs of our students? Is this fiscal responsibility? You can decide on April 5th when you cast your ballot.
Much has been done but there still remains a lot to be accomplished. I now have the time and experience to give back to the community. My family has benefited from the education we received in the Gillespie and Benld school systems. We have all been successful, productive members of society. I want the same for all of the students of Community Unit School District 7. I would like to use my experience to help make our district the best that it can be. I encourage you to vote and I ask for your support on April 5th.
Harry Cavanaugh
Comments
Gillespie High School announced on Monday the students who achieved honor roll during the fourth quarter of the 2022-2023 school year.
Class of 2023
High honor roll
Bailey Cartwright, Jenna Clark, Adylin Drewel, Brayden Fee, Macy Fosnock, Hailey Hughes, Ethan LaRoche, Emily Schoen, Alyssa Schuette, Macy Shuey-Warford, Darci Wolber
Honor roll
Allison Andrews, Courtney Bertolis, Ian Brown, Harry Bultema, Keegen Bussmann, Reese Bussmann, Regan Bussmann, Joie Cox, Chloe Fellin, Shelbee Geisler, Zachary Haas, Chloe Hedden, Hayden Helmkamp, Chase Helvey, John Herron, Payton Horn, Jaiden Johnson, Eve Kaduk, Makayla Kirby, Erik Kravanya, Kamryn Link, Rueben McMillin, Ronald Monke, Peyton Montes, Alyssa Muir, Cadyn Oberkfell, Collyn Oberkfell, Harrison OBrien, Mason Osborne, Franklin Parnell, Megan Rife, Vincent Rolando, Ava Ronald, Cadence Schmitt, Ragen Sloan, Graycee Springmeyer, Viola Stangle, Xavier Steward, Benjamin Thompson, Lukas Trumpy, Hernando Walker
Class of 2024
High honor roll
Michael Bertetto, Alexia Emelander, Graciella Koch, Elizabeth Lambert, Kolton Lowry, Leo Page, Ryleigh Phillips
Honor roll
Jaydon Baker, Isabelle Balzraine, Jesse Berry, Lauren Bertagnolli, Logan Bethard, Skye Boedecker, Lily Brown, Bryce Buhs, Mattelynn Clark, Cole Conner, Rebecca Crays, Trinity Curry, Ean Davis, Makayla Dunaway, Paris Friesland, Erika Gill, Emma Gipson, Rebecca Hill, Bryce Hohnsbehn, Jessika Hupp, Geonnah Johnson, Drew Koniak, Ryder Koniak, Ian Lewis, Kaeleb Lowry, Alicia Mason, Ethan McFadden, Dalton Overmeyer, Kacie Reisinger, Wrigley Releford, Isabella Segarra, Aliyah Smith, Travis Steward, Tristen Wargo, Daniel Wolber
Class of 2025
High honor roll
Quinn Beechler, Rhiannon Black, Bailee Borror, Kennedy Helmkamp, Landon Higginbotham, En Li, Haylie Otten, Braden Rauzi, Kaitlyn Spencer, Ellie Wilson, Macie Wright
Honor roll
Maria Alger, Madison Barrios, Owen Baugh, Zoey Bergen, Mia Brawner, Aidan Brennan, Ian Brennan, Alexander Clark, Gabriel Clotfelter, Reanna Compton, Landen Emelander, Corinne Fellin, John Halteman, Eva Hedden, Jack Kaylor, Haeden Kellebrew, Austin Klose, Rya Lewey, Emma Luckshis, Traegen Madeline, Mason Miller, Keegan Moles, Mckenna Montoro, Joseph Morgan, Owen Pau, Elissa Plasters-Cline, Christian Rife, Abby Robbins, Alex Savant, Rylan Schuette, Owen Schweppe, Andrew Sellers, Abigail Sharp, Caleb Siar, Gryffin Smith, Colin Snyder, Delaney Taylor, Vincent Tesio, Jack Voyles, Avery Young
Class of 2026
High honor roll
Emily Bergen, James Girdner, Madyson Grogg, Roadie Jackson, Lucas Rosenthal, Luke Schuckenbrock, Brody Shaw, Carter Sies, Hailey Young
Honor roll
Anthony Amoroso, Jacob Baglin, Ceanna Bearden, Payton Bertolis, Edin Compton, Carson Cooper, Addison Cox, Jackson Crook, Brookelyn Crotchett, Brayden Enslow, Hank Fletcher, Marshall Garwood, Katherine Gerdes, Carson Hailstone, Sofia Hedrick, Hunter Hegel, Bryce Helvey, Jersey Helvey, Kayden Koelker, Kyle Kottman, Dawson Lancaster, Sophia Lewis, Aiden Manley, Jessalyn McElyea, Douglas Neverdowski, David Norville, Chaz Oberkfell, Tyler Palmer, Ava Parish, Kori Petersen, Zachary Phillips, Makayla Price, Ava Rakers, Paxton Reid, Sean Roach, Alexis Schardan, Ava Segarra, Brock Sherman, Sadie Sholtis, Sierra Steelman, Nevaeh Thomas, Whelen Walker, Claire Wallace, Teagan Welch
Comments
Gillespie High School announced on Monday the students who earned an academic award during the second semester.
Class of 2023
Courtney Bertolis, Ian Brown, Harry Bultema, Regan Bussmann, Bailey Cartwright, Jenna Clark, Joie Cox, Adylin Drewel, Brayden Fee, Chloe Fellin, Macy Fosnock, Shelbee Geisler, Zachary Haas, Hayden Helmkamp, Chase Helvey, John Herron, Payton Horn, Hailey Hughes, Jaiden Johnson, Bryan Jubelt, Makayla Kirby, Erik Kravanya, Ethan LaRoche, Kamryn Link, Ronald Monke, Peyton Montes, Cadyn Oberkfell, Collyn Oberkfell, Harrison OBrien, Franklin Parnell, Megan Rife, Ava Ronald, Cadence Schmitt, Emily Schoen, Alyssa Schuette, Macy Shuey-Warford, Ragen Sloan, Graycee Springmeyer, Viola Stangle, Benjamin Thompson, Lukas Trumpy, Owen Turcol, John VanDoren, Hernando Walker, Darci Wolber
Class of 2024
Jaydon Baker, Isabelle Balzraine, Jesse Berry, Lauren Bertagnolli, Michael Bertetto, Logan Bethard, Skye Boedecker, Bryce Buhs, Tenley Bussmann, Mattelynn Clark, Kyle Cordie, Rebecca Crays, Trinity Curry, Makayla Dunaway, Alexia Emelander, Paris Friesland, Erika Gill, Emma Gipson, Rebecca Hill, Bryce Hohnsbehn, Jessika Hupp, Geonnah Johnson, Logan Keils, Graciella Koch, Drew Koniak, Ryder Koniak, Elizabeth Lambert, Kaeleb Lowry, Kolton Lowry, Alicia Mason, Ethan McFadden, Dalton Overmeyer, Leo Page, Ryleigh Phillips, Wrigley Releford, Isabella Segarra, Aliyah Smith, Travis Steward, Tristen Wargo, Daniel Wolber
Class of 2025
Maria Alger, Owen Baugh, Quinn Beechler, Zoey Bergen, Rhiannon Black, Bailee Borror, Mia Brawner, Alexander Clark, Gabriel Clotfelter, Reanna Compton, Landen Emelander, Corinne Fellin, John Halteman, Eva Hedden, Kennedy Helmkamp, Landon Higginbotham, Jack Kaylor, Haeden Kellebrew, Austin Klose, Rya Lewey, En Li, Emma Luckshis, Traegen Madeline, Kylee Means, Mason Miller, Keegan Moles, Mckenna Montoro, Haylie Otten, Owen Pau, Elissa Plasters-Cline, Braden Rauzi, Logan Rhodes, Christian Rife, Abby Robbins, Rylan Schuette, Andrew Sellers, Caleb Siar, Gryffin Smith, Colin Snyder, Kaitlyn Spencer, Delaney Taylor, Vincent Tesio, Jack Voyles, Ellie Wilson, Macie Wright
Class of 2026
Anthony Amoroso, Jacob Baglin, Paul Balestri, Ceanna Bearden, Emily Bergen, Edin Compton, Carson Cooper, Addison Cox, Jackson Crook, Brookelyn Crotchett, Hank Fletcher, Marshall Garwood, Katherine Gerdes, James Girdner, Madyson Grogg, Sofia Hedrick, Hunter Hegel, Bryce Helvey, Jersey Helvey, Roadie Jackson, Kayden Koelker, Dawson Lancaster, Sophia Lewis, Mylee Mckee, Douglas Neverdowski, David Norville, Chaz Oberkfell, Tyler Palmer, Ava Parish, Kori Petersen, Zachary Phillips, Makayla Price, Ava Rakers, Paxton Reid, Sean Roach, Elijah Roberts, Lucas Rosenthal, Luke Schuckenbrock, Ava Segarra, Brody Shaw, Brock Sherman, Sadie Sholtis, Carter Sies, Sierra Steelman, Nevaeh Thomas, Whelen Walker, Claire Wallace, Teagan Welch, Hailey Young
Comments
Eight athletes of Gillespie High School were named to the 2023 All-South Central Conference softball rosters that were released on Thursday.
Miners being named to the all-conference rosters included Emma Gipson, Regan Bussmann, and Eve Kaduk as first-team; Ava Parish, Megan Rife, Macie Wright, and Sadie Sholtis as second-team; and Delaney Taylor as third-team.
Gillespie’s season ended in the regional semi-final with an overall 25-4 record and 9-0 in the conference. The team loses three seniors including infielder Regan Bussmann, outfielder Eve Kaduk, and outfielder Megan Rife.
The entire list of honorees is below.
First team
- Emma Gipson (Gillespie, junior, pitcher)
- Hannah Gibson (Carlinville, sophomore, pitcher)
- Abby Hendricks (North Mac, junior, catcher)
- Isabella Tiburzi (Carlinville, sophomore, infielder)
- Shelby Ashcraft (Pana, sophomore, infielder)
- Ele Feldmann (Staunton, sophomore, infielder)
- Regan Bussmann (Gillespie, senior, infielder)
- Eve Kaduk (Gillespie, senior, outfielder)
- Olivia Kunz (Carlinville, junior, outfielder)
- Hallie Lomelino (North Mac, junior, outfielder)
- Kylie Lucykow (Staunton, junior, outfielder)
- Anika Camp (Hillsboro, sophomore, utility)
Second team
- Josie Patterson (North Mac, senior, pitcher)
- Grace Strohbeck (Southwestern, sophomore, pitcher)
- Addison Ruyle (Carlinville, sophomore, catcher)
- Makenah Dugan (Carlinville, sophomore, infielder)
- Kennedy Bowker (Pana, freshman, infielder)
- Ava Parish (Gillespie, freshman, infielder)
- Taylor Nolan (Staunton, junior, infielder)
- Gracie Philpot (Vandalia, senior, infielder)
- Megan Rife (Gillespie, senior, outfielder)
- Macie Wright (Gillespie, sophomore, outfielder)
- Maddy Fenstermaker (Southwestern, sophomore, outfielder)
- Sam Anderson (Staunton, sophomore, outfielder)
- Maddie Lupton (Vandalia, sophomore, outfielder)
- Sydney Valdes (Southwestern, sophomore, utility)
- Sadie Sholtis (Gillespie, freshman, utility)
Third team
- Shelby Ashcraft (Pana, sophomore, pitcher)
- Gracie Philpot (Vandalia, senior, pitcher)
- Hallie Gibson (Carlinville, freshman, pitcher)
- Delaney Taylor (Gillespie, sophomore, catcher)
- Bella Roach (Litchfield, junior, catcher)
- Hannah Potthast (Greenville, senior, infielder)
- Braley Wiser (Carlinville, sophomore, infielder)
- Taylor Keirs (North Mac, sophomore, infielder)
- Vivian Zurheide (Southwestern, freshman, infielder)
- Korryn Keehner (Staunton, sophomore, infielder)
- Delaney Kopp (Vandalia, senior, infielder)
- Karly Tipps (Carlinville, junior, outfielder)
- Haylee Clark (Greenville, freshman, outfielder)
- Lilly Troeckler (Staunton, sophomore, outfielder)
- Lauren Johnson (Vandalia, freshman, outfielder)
- Anna Osbourne (Vandalia, senior, utility)
Comments
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