Community News
School board approves $16.6 million budget
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night unanimously approved a $16.6 million budget for the 2021 fiscal year which began July 1.
The newly approved budget exceeds last year’s budget by about $700,000, and projects ending the year $205,000 in the black. Both Supt. Shane Owsley and school board members, however, acknowledged the fairly rosy financial projections are due largely because of substantial increases in federal funding resulting from temporary programs designed to mitigate against the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The biggest difference you’ll notice between this year’s budget and past years is the increase in federal funding,” Owsley told the board during a brief state-mandated budget hearing. The local school district is receiving upward of $1.8 million in additional federal funding as a result of the CARES Act and two rounds of Elementary and Secondary School Relief (ESSR) payments.
Owsley noted that any salaries the district underwrites with ESSR money now will become district liabilities when the funding runs out in two to three years.
Board member Weye Schmidt noted that while the budget projects ending the year in the black, the expiration of nearly $2 million in additional federal funding will leave a major hole in future budgets. “Our surplus is only $205,000 and we’ve got $2 million extra dollars that won’t be there in two or three years,” Schmidt commented. “That’s a lot to make up.”
The fiscal 2020 budget, which lacked the additional federal funds, projected deficit spending in excess of $755,000.
Owsley told the board some aspects of the budget are “guesstimates” and are subject to change. Non-certificated district employees, for example, have yet to ratify a new contract, requiring Owsley to speculate on the total amount the district will spend on salaries. Likewise, Owsley said he increased his estimate for revenue resulting from the county’s School Facilities Sales Tax. Last year, he reduced the estimate by 25 percent, anticipating a drop in retail sales due to the pandemic. At the end of the 2020 fiscal year, however, sales tax distributions to CUSD 7 actually exceeded revenue from the previous year.
Owsley also said he is seeking confirmation on whether or not ESSR dollars can be used to purchase a new bus. If not, he said, budget figures for Transportation will require adjustment.
Projected revenues exceed anticipated expenditures in all but one of the district’s operating funds. Capital Projects shows a deficit of $52,700 with revenues estimated at $23,300 and expenses projected at $76,000. The budget anticipates $399,591 in revenue from School Facilities Sale Tax collections. A total of $23,300 will be assigned to Capital Projects, with the remaining $376,591 shifted to Debt Service to pay down debt on last year’s construction of a Middle School STEM lab and to fulfill the board’s pledge to use 20 percent of sales tax revenue to pay down construction bonds on the BenGil Elementary School.
In total, the budget anticipates $16,843,123 in revenue with expenditures projected at $16,637,805. The Education Fund accounts for the lion’s share of the budget on both the revenue and expenditure sides. Revenue for the Education Fund is expected to come in at $13,370,415. At 21 percent, the federal share of revenue for Education is substantially larger than last year due to ESSR grants. State funding accounts for 65 percent of revenue for Education. The state will contribute about $8,726,277 for Education, of which Evidence-Based Funding will account for $359,368.50. The local share of revenue, primarily from property tax collections, is expected to total $1,844,582. Expenditures from the Education Fund, 64 percent of which are for direct instruction-related expenditures, are expected to total $13,258,230, leaving $112,186 on the table at the end of the year.
Debt Service is the second largest segment of the budget with revenue projected at $1,213,159 and expected expenditures of $1,212,016—a difference of $1,143.
Projections for other funds are as follows:
- Operations and Maintenance: Revenue of $692,156 with expenditures of $691,765, leaving $391 to the good.
- Transportation: Revenue of $889,755 with expenditures of $817,152, leaving $72,603 to the good.
- Working Cash: Revenue of $33,173 with no expenditures, leaving a positive budget balance of $33,173.
- Tort: Revenue of $188,431 with expenditures of $150,000, leaving $38,341 to the good.
With a positive budget balance for fiscal 2021, the district’s total cash reserve is expected to grow from $8,610,292 at the end of fiscal 2020 to $8,815,610 at the end of fiscal 2021. The fund balance for Capital Projects is expected to fall from $748,753 to $545,603 as a result of dipping into existing funds to cover the $52,700 budget shortfall for 2021. Starting the year with a balance of $4,061,500, the Education Fund is expected to end fiscal 2021 with a balance of $4,173,686. Operations and Maintenance started the year with $318,500 cash on hand and will end fiscal 2021 with $381,891. With a starting balance of $62,023, Debt Service will grow to $217,116 at the end of fiscal 2021. The fund balance for Transportation is expected to grow from $331,512 to $404,115, while Working Cash is expected to grow from $2,572,922 to $2,606,095 with the injection of $33,173 in new money. The Tort Fund is expected to expand from $260,577 to $299,008, and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund/Social Security is expected to grow from $254,505 to $254,596 at the end of fiscal 2021.
PERSONNEL
Following a 90-minute executive session, the board voted unanimously to increase administrative salaries by 3.75 percent, the same increase approved for certificated teachers under a recently approved union contract.
Board members also voted unanimously to hire Korbin Clark as a seventh-grade boy’s basketball coach for the 2021 school year and approved maternity leave for Birth-3 educator Jennifer Lubrant from Nov. 12 this year to Feb. 13, 2022.
The board accepted the resignation of Dan Edgerton as a freshman boy’s basketball coach and posted the position as vacant.
EXHAUST FANS
Board members voted unanimously to accept a bid of $68,440 from Henson-Robinson Co., Springfield, to replace an exhaust fan in the Gillespie Middle School/High School building, plus an alternate bid of $28,640 to replace an exhaust fan in the kitchen.
INSURANCE BID
The board voted unanimously to renew a policy with EMC Insurance for general liability, automobile insurance, employment liability and other risks with a subsidiary policy for workers compensation provided by Zenith Insurance. The total annual premium is $219,070—nine dollars less than last year’s premium.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
Comments
-
Community News4 weeks agoSchool district apparently eyeing food management service
-
Police News4 weeks agoGillespie Police Report: March 17-23, 2024
-
High School Sports3 weeks agoAnother strong week for Gillespie softball
-
High School Sports3 weeks agoGillespie baseball steamroll Nokomis and fall to New Berlin