Community News
City eyes replacing water line on Elizabeth Street, approves backhoe lease and hires Street Dept. worker
Public Works Chair Ald. Jerry Dolliger displayed a section of deteriorated pipe recently removed from the Elizabeth Street water line.
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night took under advisement the possibility of replacing a deteriorating water line that supplies water to about eight homes in a two-block area on the northeast side of the city.
“This is what we are dealing with,” said Public Works Chair Ald. Jerry Dolliger, displaying a section of deteriorated pipe recently removed from the water line. He said city workers have had to install multiple clamps to repair water line breaks and keep water flowing to residences on Elizabeth Street. He said the committee is leaning toward replacing the line with a four-inch water main and using city workers to do the work.
Mayor John Hicks and several aldermen, however, cited several issues with the plan. A primary concern is the cost of the project, which has not yet been estimated.
“What’s going to be more expensive,” asked Nathan Thornhill, a Street Department employee, “replacing the water line or to keep putting clamps on that line?”
Dolliger said continuing to repair the line could be an issue for the city since it doesn’t always have clamps of the right size on hand. For the last break, he said, the city had two clamps available and had to scrounge a third clamp from another municipality.
[pullquote]Ald. Steve Kluthe said the line and the homes it serves may not be in the city limits.[/pullquote]Hicks noted that the homes served by the line are older homes that probably have lead pipes between the water meter and the house. By law, the city cannot offer taps to homes with lead lines, meaning those homeowners would have to replace their connections in order to be eligible for city water service from a new line. For some, the cost of that upgrade could be as much as $1,500.
In addition, Ald. Steve Kluthe said the line and the homes it serves may not be in the city limits.
“To the best of my knowledge, it’s in the county,” he said.
“If it’s our line, we have to maintain it,” City Treasurer Dan Fisher commented.
“By rights, we shouldn’t be maintaining it at all if it’s not in the corporate limits,” Ald. Jim Alderson commented. “If we’re going to maintain the line, those homes should come into the city.” In the past, homeowners outside the city limits who want to tap onto city water have been required to annex as a condition of getting city water.
Mayor Hicks suggested having City Attorney Kevin Polo research whether or not the homes are in the city limits, and he directed the Street Department to come back to the council next month with additional information, including the length of the line that needs to be replaced, the number of homes it serves, the number of fire hydrants it serves and the estimated cost of the project.
In a related matter, Dolliger asked about the possibility of buying clamps on consignment—a program that would allow the city to stockpile a number of clamps in various sizes and pay for them only when they use them. Otherwise, he said, it can take up to two days if the Street Department has to special order a clamp to repair a water main break. Polo said he would want to review such a contract before advising the city on whether or not to participate.
Another alternative, suggested by Fisher, would be for the city to serve as a central warehouse not only for the city but for all neighboring municipalities that buy water from the Gillespie water system.
PART-TIME WORKER PROMOTED TO FULL TIME
With one dissenting vote, the council voted to promote part-time Street Department worker Nathan Thornhill from part-time to full-time status. The contentious discussion leading up to the vote saw one city employee angrily leave the chamber.
Dolliger reported that his committee recommended moving Thornhill to full-time status in part because he has been called upon to work more than 30 per week due to water main breaks and other projects. The move brings the Street Department to five full-time employees, which Dolliger said has been considered a full complement of employees for the Department in years past. His motion was seconded by Kluthe.
[pullquote]Polo said the move will resolve a potential complaint from the union representing Street Department workers.[/pullquote]Polo said the move will resolve a potential complaint from the union representing Street Department workers. As a part-time worker, Thornhill was technically limited to no more than 30 hours a week, but Dolliger said Thornhill had exceeded his hours because he was needed to get the work done in a timely manner.
“I have been contacted by the union and they are concerned about the number of hours being worked by a part-time worker,” Polo said. “This would solve that problem.”
“I think each department needs to present to the council a plan on how they intend to utilize its workers,” said City Treasurer Fisher, noting that the Lake Department also may be submitting a request in the future to hire a new worker. Regarding the Street Department, he said, it would take at least five employees if the city decides to move forward with replacing the Elizabeth Street water line.
Ald. Janice Weidner, however, questioned the need for and the wisdom of adding to the employee head count. She said she reviewed the head count for the Street Department over the past 40 years and found that the Department had five employees in only nine of those years.
“We’re leasing equipment,” she said. “We have bad water lines that is going to cost millions, we have bad sewer lines and that’s going to cost millions, and you’re talking about hiring another person.” She alleged the Street Department had justified some recent equipment purchases by saying it would make the Department more efficient, requiring fewer employee hours to complete required tasks.
Weidner’s comments drew an angry reaction from Street Department employee Landon Pettit.
[pullquote]Weidner alleged the Street Department had justified some recent equipment purchases by saying it would make the Department more efficient, requiring fewer employee hours.[/pullquote]“Every time we’ve added equipment, you’ve added more work,” Pettit said. “If you can sit there and honestly say we don’t need another guy, you’re going to end up losing a guy over it.” Pettit then left the council chamber and did not return.
Brought to a vote, the measure to promote Thornhill to full-time passed 5-1 with Weidner casting the only “no” vote. Ald. Alderson, Kluthe, Dolliger, Colin Mussatto and Dave Tucker voted in favor of the measure. Ald. Frank Barrett and Ald. Roger Dively were absent.
Regarding Lake personnel, Ald. Kluthe said the current group of employees is doing “a great job,” particularly with the recent addition of part-time worker Gary Thornhill. He said there remains a great deal of work to be done and that the Lake Committee may consider asking to upgrade Thornhill’s position to full-time at some future date.
“I’d like to go through the rest of the year and into the early spring, and then see where we’re at on whether we have to have a part-time or full-time employee,” Kluthe said.
Also regarding personnel, Polo reported that recent changes in the law may require the city to revamp some aspects of its annual salary ordinance. Specifically, the law now requires full-time employees who earn less than $40,000 a year to be listed as hourly, rather than salaried, positions.
BACKHOE LEASE
Ending several months of discussion, the council voted unanimously to enter into a three-year lease with St. Louis Bobcat to lease a Bobcat skid-steer to replace a 15-year-old piece of equipment that is prone to overheating. Dolliger reported that the Street Department had gotten the current machine back after being repaired by St. Louis Bobcat, but that it continues to have problems with overheating.
As part of the transaction, the city will trade-in the old unit and pay about $1,000 per month for the lease. By trading in the old unit, the city will lose a street planer attachment but Dolliger said the Street Department used the attachment only sporadically.
Later in the meeting, the council approved paying all submitted bills except about $1,700 in bills from St. Louis Bobcat for repair work on the old Bobcat.
“They didn’t fix it,” Mayor Hicks said. “Tell them we want to lease a new one from them and we want an adjustment on the bill.”
The council referred to committee action on a request from the Lake Department to purchase a new truck to replace a pick-up truck that is no longer safe to drive.
“The brakes are bad, the steering is bad and they have to carry a bottle of oil with them when they go somewhere,” Ald. Kluthe reported. “I’m not letting them drive it anymore. It’s not safe.”
Mayor Hicks said he’d like to see the city purchase a truck with enough power to handle snow plowing duties at the Lake, which would likely mean purchasing a vehicle equipped with four-wheel drive. The city reportedly could buy a Ford F-250 with four-wheel drive from Morrow Brothers, Greenfield, the low bidder this year for the State of Illinois contract to provide government vehicles. Fisher reported that the council appropriated about $35,000 for new equipment purchases for the Lake.
Macoupin County Circuit Judge April Troemper, who is seeking election to the seat on the bench to which she was appointed in April 2015, gave a brief introductory presentation to the council.
On a motion by Tucker, the council referred the issue to committee with power to act.
In the meantime, Hicks said Lake Workers could use a spare two-wheel drive truck available from the Water Department.
POLICE DEPARTMENT HVAC
The council unanimously approved a motion to accept the low bid of Mahkovitz Heating and Cooling, Carlinville, to install a new furnace and central air conditioning at the new police station on Pine Street. Ald. Kluthe, Public Safety chair, said he was in the building last week, turned on the air conditioning and found that it was still working. But he said he could not attest to whether or not the heating system is operable.
“I would love to have a new air conditioner and heating for that building, but I thought I should let you know the air conditioning has been working,” Kluthe said.
“Personally, I’d like to see everything new for that building so we don’t have to worry about any breakdowns,” Mayor Hicks commented.
Since the city already had accepted bids for the project, Polo said the council was required to at least open the bids. If council members decided not to move forward with the project, they could vote to reject bids and rebid the project at a later date.
At $4,187, Mahkovitz was the lowest of three bidders, agreeing to supply and install a five-ton central air conditioning unit and a 96 percent efficient gas furnance. The Mahkovitz bid was about $500 below the next lowest bid.
Fisher noted that the council appropriated $25,000 for new equipment for the building, but added the HVAC expenditure may be a “TIF eligible expense” that could be paid for with Tax Increment Finance funds.
OIL AND CHIP BIDS
After opening bids from three vendors, the council voted to give the Mayor power to act on accepting bids for road oil and rock chips for this year’s Motor Fuel Tax street maintenance program. Mayor Hicks is to consult with the city’s engineer in making the decision on which bids to accept. The program calls for oiling and chipping about specifically chosen city streets and roadways at Gillespie Lake. Two of the bidders submitted identical low bids for road oil at $1.27 per gallon, and the city received a low bid of $6.10 a ton for rock chips.
“Isn’t this kind of late in the year for oiling and chipping streets?” asked Ald. Mussatto.
Fisher said oiling and chipping usually is done in the summer, but road oil seems to adhere better in the fall when temperatures are lower. September through Oct. 15, he said, is a good time for oiling and chipping, but the work should not be done after Oct. 15.
BUS TRAFFIC
Resident Kerri Frensko appeared before the council with a complaint about school buses using Plum Street and other residential streets in the vicinity of the BenGil Elementary School.
[pullquote]The buses are tearing up our roads.[/pullquote]“A lot of neighbors are complaining,” she said. “The buses are tearing up our roads.”
Mayor Hicks said there had been some talk of residents petitioning the council about the issue and he urged Frensko to proceed with that option. He said he would like to have that documentation before moving forward on the issue. In the meantime, he said, the city is trying to “educate people,” both bus drivers and parents dropping off and picking up students, that they shouldn’t be using those streets.
Kluthe said police officers having been going out to the school in the morning and afternoon to monitor bus traffic. Hicks said he had met with school officials to try to reach some kind of compromise on the issue.
“They only reason they’re giving me for using those back streets is the time issue involved with going out to Route 16 from Kelly Street,” Kluthe said. “Personally, I don’t buy that as a reason.”
Kluthe said the city could approve an ordinance to set weight limits on the back streets, but it could not be directed specifically at bus traffic.
“It’s really a difficult issue,” he said. “The ordinance can’t address buses only. That wouldn’t be fair.”
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council approved to ordinance amendments to reclassify the zoning designation for 103 North Jersey Street from “Light Manufacturing” to “Residential,” and to reclassify Lots 1, 2, 4 and 4 of Block 11 in S.H. Burton’s Second Addition from “Highway Business” to “Residential.”
Early in the meeting, the council heard a brief introductory presentation from Macoupin County Circuit Judge April Troemper, who is seeking election to the seat on the bench to which she was appointed in April 2015.
In other action, the council:
- Approved a lake lot lease agreement for Thomas Cunningham, Medora, to lease Lot 319 at the New Lake.
- Approved a bid of $580 from Reid Tire and Auto to replace tires on a truck used by the Water Department.
- Agreed to approach the Gillespie High School building trades class to build four new picnic tables for Big Brick Park.
- Approved the purchase of new nets for the city’s tennis courts.
- Agreed to rejoin the Upper Macoupin Creek Watershed Partnership.
- Approved the Mayor’s reappointment of Linda Vidmar, Janice Mathis and Mary Hicks to the Gillespie Public Library Board.
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Ye Olde Christmas is the theme of the Macoupin County Historical Society’s annual Christmas Show, which will be held Friday through Sunday, December 5–7, at the John C. Anderson Home and Museum, 920 West Breckenridge in Carlinville.
“The Christmas Show is one of the most magical times to visit the Anderson Home,” said MCHS Board Member and House Manager Brandy England. “Some families make it an annual Christmas tradition to visit the Anderson Home when it is decorated for Christmas. It’s a great opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit and pick up some ideas for decorating your own home for the holidays.”
MCHS member Kendra Mize, of Bunker Hill, who has coordinated the decorating effort for more than two decades, has again marshalled a small army of volunteers to decorate all 13 rooms of the home. Each room features a themed Christmas tree, along with mantle pieces, centerpieces, tabletop decor, garlands and florals, and other special touches.
The home will be open for self-guided tours from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 5; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 6; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 7.
“We’re very excited to offer for the first time candlelight tours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,” said Shawna Ashby, who serves as a co-manager with England. “Viewing the decorated home by candlelight promises to be a magical experience.”
The final candlelight tours on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the home is five dollars for adults and one dollar for children ages five to 12, with four-year-olds and younger admitted free of charge.
The Anderson Home Gift Shop will be open during tour hours, offering one-of-a-kind gift items and stocking stuffers. Santa Claus will be on hand in the downstairs parlor to greet children and listen to their Christmas wishes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.
While the decorated home is the centerpiece of the Christmas Show, several other features on the Historical Society’s grounds will be open. The Red Barn will be open and serving hearty beef stew, chili, homemade pies, and warming holiday beverages such as wassail and hot chocolate on Friday and Saturday.
The General Store and Print Shop will be decorated and open to the public, with the Print Shop offering its popular handmade Christmas cards and other items produced in the shop; kids can print their own blank “Santa List” to keep track of their Christmas wishes.
“The General Store offers unique gift items, including some small antiques, for shoppers to peruse,” England noted.
Local blacksmiths will demonstrate their craft in the MCHS Blacksmith Shop located on the north side of the Historical Society Grounds, with wrought iron gift items, including stocking hooks and decorative pieces, available for purchase.
The Macoupin County Historical Society’s Christmas Show runs concurrently with the Carlinville Christmas Market and Downtown Christmas events, and a free trolley and shuttle buses include the Anderson Home as a regular stop during the festivals, enabling visitors to ride from the square or the Macoupin County Fairgrounds to the Historical Society grounds.
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted to approve a property tax levy request totaling $3,920,295 for 2025 property taxes payable in 2026. Because of tax caps and other factors, however, the district expects to collect only an estimated $3,786,607 of the requested amount.
In addition to acting on the tax levy, the board also held a lengthy discussion regarding annual district “report cards” issued by the Illinois State Board of Education to assess school performance from last year, approved a high school band/choir performance trip to Chicago in March, and agreed to apply for a school maintenance grant of up to $50,000 in matching funds.
The new proposed levy exceeds last year’s tax extension of $3,599,569 by more than $320,726—an increase of about nine percent if the levy were to be approved at the county level. The more realistic anticipation of $3,786,607 exceeds last year’s extension by $187,038, or an increase of about three percent. A Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), approved by Macoupin County voters in 1995, restricts increases in the levy to five percent or the federal Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. This year’s CPI is estimated at 2.9 percent.
The approved levy seeks $1,650,000 for the Education Fund while expecting to realize $1,653,831; $450,229 for Operations & Maintenance, while anticipating $438,041; $200,000 for Transportation while expecting $180,434; $35,000 for Working Cash while expecting $42,602; $174,700 for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund while anticipating $117,788; $154,101 for Social Security while expecting $105, 248; $247,264 for Tort while anticipating $240,570; and $33,501 for Special Education while expecting $32,593. For Bond and Interest, which is not subject to PTELL, the district is levying $975,500 while anticipating the same amount.
Local property tax revenue accounts for about 20 percent of the district’s overall annual budget.
Because the levy request exceeds 105 percent of the previous year’s extension, a public hearing is required. That hearing is scheduled at the start of the board’s regular December meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15. In the meantime, the proposed levy is available for public inspection on the district’s website and in the district office.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Owsley emphasized the levy request is essentially a wish list for what the district would like to raise through property taxes.
“The levy is the ‘Christmas list’ I talk about every year,” Owsley said. “If you don’t put it on the list, you’re not going to get it.”
Projecting what the district can legally seek under tax caps can be challenging because the district’s total equalized assessed valuation will not be confirmed until after Jan. 1 while state law requires the district to file its levy request before the end of December. For that reason, local school districts routinely file requests that exceed what they actually expect to receive in property tax revenue, and rely on the County Clerk to adjust the request to the maximum amount the district can receive.
“Because of tax caps, we have one shot to capture increases in the EAV and new construction,” Owsley said. “If we don’t do that, we lose it in perpetuity.”
To calculate the new levy, Owsley projected a 15.12 percent increase in the EAV—nearly double the previous year’s rate of increase. By overestimating the EAV growth, the district expects to capture the entire increase in assessed valuation when that number is finally determined.
“Even though we know the EAV will likely be around the historical average, we base our levy on a much higher amount so as not to lose revenue from new growth,” Owsley told the board. “We can do this without running the risk of overtaxing taxpayers because the district will receive no more than what we are entitled to by law.”
Owsley said relatively stable increases in EAV have resulted in a steadily declining tax rate. Since 2014 when the rate was $4.24 per $100 in EAV, the rate has fallen to $3.20 for 2024. In other words, the county can use a lower rate to generate the extension to which the district is entitled because the value of taxable property has increased.
“As long as the EAV goes up by more than the Consumer Price Index, our tax rates are going to go down,” Owsley noted.
SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT CARDS
The board spent several minutes discussing recently released school report cards issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. Interested persons can view local report cards by visiting https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
All three attendance centers received a “Commendable” designation, meaning there are no student groups that are underperforming academically, and the high school graduation rate exceeds 67 percent. Last year, BenGil Elementary School achieved an “Exemplary” designation—the top designation a school can achieve.
Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto said administrators knew the school would not earn an Exemplary rating, even though students are state average in English/language arts, math and science. The Report Card designations are based on growth rather than academic performance. With students already exceeding state standards last year, the opportunity for growth was limited.
Assistant Principal Tara Cooper agreed, noting BenGil Elementary’s student performance is in the upper half of schools statewide that are meeting academic standards. “So, while we are not ‘Exemplary,’ we’re very happy with where we are.”
Supt. Owsley told the board the State Board of Education is working on revamping the assessment system because of the growth vs. performance issue. “That’s why they’re redoing all of this because they are penalizing schools for meeting goals,” he said.
For Gillespie Middle School, the report card shows students meeting or exceeding state averages in math and science but significantly lagging in English/language arts.
“ELA is our most concerning area,” Principal Patrick McGinthy told the board, “along with absenteeism.” The report card shows a chronic absenteeism rate of 25 percent, but Owsley and other administrators said the rate is exacerbated by the State Board of Education including nearly all absences whether or not they are excused.
Rosentreter noted the State Board will allow a student to be absent five days for illness without a doctor’s excuse. On the sixth day, however, the absence is unexcused unless the parent or guardian provides a doctor’s slip. Many parents, however, are reluctant to pay for a doctor’s visit for a child that is suffering from a minor illness.
McGinthy said Middle School teachers are attempting to address the deficiency in English/language arts by increasing writing exercises and requiring students to write in conjunction with other curriculum areas.
Rosentreter noted that the assessment standards for high schools differ from the standards for elementary and middle schools in that the State Board emphasizes graduation rates. For Gillespie, the graduation rate is an impressive 86 percent, though chronic absenteeism checks in at 31 percent.
“Math is definitely our shining star,” Rosentreter said, noting the school scored 17.8 points compared with the state average of 18. The school performed less well in the areas of English/language arts and science, scoring 16 points on ELA compared with the state score of 18 and 17.2 points compared with the state average of 19.
The report cards are based on results for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) test for elementary and middle school students, and ACT scores for high school students.
Administrators said it’s difficult to motivate students to do well on state-mandated tests since the tests do not affect the student’s grade point average. To incentivize testing, Rosentreter said the high school is offering to let students skip final exams if they hit state standards on the mandated tests.
Owsley noted that the district report card documents the continuing decline in school enrollment—dropping from 1,325 seven years ago to 1,082 for the 2024-25 academic year.
“We don’t see that turning around anytime soon,” Owsley said. “It’s not just a Gillespie thing; it’s a trend for schools throughout Macoupin County.
BAND/CHOIR TRIP TO CHICAGO
Following a presentation by band/choir instructor Brad Taulbee, the board approved a high school band and choir performance tour to Chicago set for March 19-21. Taulbee said the tour company retained for the trip places emphasis on security and safety for traveling students. The company supplements hotel security with its own security personnel to monitor student rooms during the trip.
The tour includes workshop sessions at Vandercook College in downtown Chicago, and performances by the choir at the John Hancock Center and by the band at one of the city’s museums.
Taulbee said he is attempting to keep the cost affordable for participating students. Depending upon the number of students who ultimately go on the trip, he said he expects the cost to be about $739 per person. Additionally, he is lining up sponsors who can help with expenses for students who could not otherwise afford to participate.
“Security is my main concern,” said Board President Mark Hayes. “We just came back from there and seven people were shot in the area we were in.”
Taulbee said he expects to recruit seven to 10 chaperones and will ensure that the ratio of students to chaperones does not exceed 1:10.
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANT
The board concurred with Supt. Owsley’s recommendation to again apply for a state School Maintenance grant of up to $50,000. The grant is a “matching” grant requiring the district to match grant funds dollar for dollar. The district has successfully applied for the grant for the past several years.
If the application is successful, Owsley said the funds will likely be used to remove asbestos-containing floor tiles in the choir room and elsewhere in the Middle School.
PERSONNEL
Following an executive session of about 40 minutes to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Tim Wargo as an assistant high school baseball coach and post the position as vacant, and voted to appoint Wargo as the head high school baseball coach for the coming season.
In separate actions, the board approved maternity leaves for Alexis Lupkey, district paraprofessional, and Gear-Up Coordinator Jordan Bartok. Lupkey’s leave is tentatively scheduled from Dec. 8 through March 18. Bartok’s leave is expected from Dec. 12 through Jan.6.
Board members voted unanimously to hire Christopher Whaley as a substitute bus driver, pending a routine background check and documentation of certification.
The board also voted unanimously to terminate Makayla Huff as a three-hour cook and post the position as vacant.
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to rehire fall coaches as follows: Jordan Bartok as head high school girls volleyball coach with Shelsie Price, as an assistant coach; Cory Bonstead as head football coach with Nate Henrichs, Jarrod Herron, Korben Clark, Alex Jasper, J.O. Kelly, Billy Gill and Florian Seferi as assistant and volunteer assistant coaches; Jay Weber as head coach for the parent-funded high school cross-country program with Jack Burns as a volunteer assistant coach; Jake Kellebrew as head coach for the parent-funded high school golf program, with Michael Otten as a volunteer assistant coach; Tim Wargo as head middle school baseball coach with Trae Wargo as assistant coach; Michelle Smith as head middle school softball coach with Jim Matesa, Joe Kelly and Melissa Heigert as assistant coaches; and Liz Thackery as head coach for the parent-funded middle school cross-country program with Laura Peterson as a volunteer assistant coach.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, Supt. Owsley introduced newly hired School Resource Officer Jacob Linhart, and High School Principal provided a report with photos of a recent school-wide Veterans Day observance.
Linhart, who has served five years as a police officer on the Gillespie Police Department, replaces Wade Hendricks, who recently retired after serving three years as the CUSD 7 School Resource Officer.
Linhart said it is a “great privilege” to serve as a Resource Officer, protecting students and staff. “I’m honored that you guys are allowing me to do it,” he said.
High School Principal Rosentreter said the school served breakfast to about 200 veterans and their families Tuesday morning, Nov. 11. Later, the veterans were joined by nearly 700 high school and middle school students for a recognition ceremony in the high school gymnasium.
Since the event coincided with the 25th anniversary of CUSD 7’s Wall of Honor program, the annual event did double duty as an induction ceremony for five are individuals, all of whom happened to be U.S. Military veterans.
The inductees included the late Sergeant Major John Marion Malnar, Command Sergeant Major John “Jack” Burns, Colonel Mark Daley, Lieutenant Colonel William P. Falke and Captain Robert Leone. Rosentreter said Daley and Leone traveled with their families from Colorado and Texas, respectively, to attend the ceremonies.
Burns, a retired CUSD 7 teacher, later visited BenGil Elementary School to present a program and teach students how to properly fold an American flag.
Rosentreter recognized the City of Gillespie for a donation of $1,000 to help purchase food for the veterans.
Born in Benld and a resident of Sawyerville, “Big John” Malnar earned a Silver Star during the Korean Conflict and a Gold Star, awarded posthumously after he was killed in action in 1968 in Vietnam. A Marine training center at Camp Geiger in North Carolina is named in his honor.
Though not a Wall of Honor inductee, Jacob Miller, a 100-year-old World War II veteran and recipient of two Purple Hearts, was recognized with a standing ovation.
The annual Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony provides students with an opportunity to meet and recognize local veterans as potential role models for their own futures.
Owsley said the event is a major event on the district’s calendar which grew out of a simple flagpole ceremony initiated 25 years ago.
CEJA GRANT FUNDS
Board members briefly discussed plans for about $74,000 in anticipated Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant funds. The federal program is intended to compensate communities that have experienced revenue loss as a result of coal mine closures.
Owsley said the district committed about $86,000 in last year’s CEJA grant funds to the City of Gillespie to help pay for improvements to Plum Street, which is heavily used by district school buses. He has not transferred those funds, however, pending the start of the project.
Owsley said he was seeking the board’s input on how the money should be used.
“We could continue to partner with the city on Plum Street,” he said. “But there are plenty of project areas within the school.” The money could be used, for example, for continuing asbestos abatement. He identified other upcoming needs, including a new roof for the high school/middle school and an HVAC project.
President Hayes pointed out the school district paid for improvements to Kelly Street when BenGil Elementary was built and subsidized a project to reconfigure drainage on Broadway Street, in addition to the dollars committed for Plum Street.
“The school district is not in the business of building roads,” he said. “I think we’ve been more than generous with the city.”
Board member Peyton Bernot agreed the money should be committed for use by the school district.
TRIPLE I CONFERENCE
Several board members who attended a conference for board members and administrators Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23, in Chicago, commented briefly about their take-aways from conference sessions. Popularly known as the Triple I Conference, the convention is sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials.
Owsley said more than 700 Illinois school districts were represented, making the Triple I the largest gathering of education professionals in North America.
Bernot briefly reported on a session he attended regarding upcoming legislation and financial outlooks for school districts. He described the session as “much less optimistic” than sessions he’s attended in the past.
Owsley was among the convention presenters, discussing social-emotional learning. He commented that several districts attending reported efforts to involve students in school administrators. Some districts, he said, appointed a non-voting student representative to the school board to take part in discussions directly affecting students.
“When you think about it, we hear from faculty members and we hear from parents,” Hayes commented. “The people we don’t hear from are the most important part of what we do.”
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The Holiday Sparkle Committee of Gillespie is preparing for the 4th Annual Holiday Sparkle Lighted Parade and Community Tree Lighting, set for Sunday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Gillespie. This beloved community tradition invites residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season with lights, music, and festive cheer.
Food trucks will line the parade route starting at 4:00 p.m., offering a variety of tasty options for families to enjoy before and during the celebration. The event will culminate in the illuminated parade and the ceremonial lighting of the community tree, signaling the official start of the season’s celebrations.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be a special performance by Gillespie area students in grades 3 through 5. The group will join together to sing Christmas carols, lending their voices to the town’s joyous welcome to the holidays.
Parade participants are invited to bring extra sparkle to the evening—whether by entering a parade float, walking in the parade, or simply attending to enjoy the atmosphere. Participation helps make the event truly magical for the entire community. The only requirement for the parade is all entries have to incorporate holiday lighting.
To join the parade lineup, interested participants can sign up at https://forms.gle/L7Q4tEkgjj8Lt5E47. The Holiday Sparkle Committee expresses gratitude for the ongoing support of residents, businesses, and volunteers who help bring this festive occasion to life each year.
The second part of the holiday festivities will take place on Saturday, December 13 when the Sparkle will sponsor the vendor fair and food trucks in downtown Gillespie including a visit from Santa. Vendors will be located in the Gillespie Civic Center, Zion Lutheran Church, and Emma G’s Upscale Boutique while local businesses and eateries will also be open. An egg nog jog benefitting Gillespie Cross Country will also be held on December 13 and interested participants can join here.
The Holiday Sparkle Committee invites everyone to mark their calendars and join in the celebration. For more information, please contact the committee by email at gillespieholidaysparkle@gmail.com or visit Gillespie Holiday Sparkle on Facebook.
