Community News
Academic, financial achievement take center stage at school board meeting
Vocational students who visited Monday’s meeting of the CUSD 7 School Board included (from left) Dominic Maykopet, who built a Christmas creche for GHS Principal Shane Owsley; and Kaleb Crider, Nolan Hayes, Jake Carter, CJ Frensko and Jaylen Ronald who built the sofa table displayed to the board Monday night.
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night renewed Supt. Joe Tieman’s contract for another year and made several other, more minor personnel decisions, but it was the district’s recent financial and academic achievements that took center stage.
High School Principal Shane Owsley reported to the board that he was recently contacted by the Vandalia School District to send a contingent of teachers to Gillespie High School to learn more about the local district’s math curriculum and teaching practices.
“They looked at our SAT scores and our demographics, and they couldn’t figure out how our kids are scoring so much higher in math than theirs,” Owsley said. “They are actually going to meet with our teachers to find out what kind of magic they’re doing to make sure our kids do well in math.”
In a similar vein, BenGil Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto said the Carlinville School District “reached out to us to compliment us on our test scores.” The Carlinville Primary School, she said, is sending a team of teachers, along with the Primary School principal, to consult with BenGil teaching staff “to see our procedures, our curriculum and the programs we have in place.”
Later in the meeting, Supt. Tieman reported that the State Board of Education had officially given CUSD 7 a financial profile of 3.7—the highest score the district has ever received. School districts scoring 3.5 or greater qualify for “financial recognition” status. Financial recognition, Tieman said, is the highest level of financial strength recognized by the State Board. School districts with a financial recognition status are school districts that require “little or no financial oversight” by the state, according to the State Board’s classification system.
[pullquote]“As recently as three or four years ago, we were under a financial early warning,” Tieman said. He credited the School Board for its direction and for “assisting me in managing money and making sure we are using our money in an appropriate way.”[/pullquote]
“As recently as three or four years ago, we were under a financial early warning,” Tieman said. He credited the School Board for its direction and for “assisting me in managing money and making sure we are using our money in an appropriate way.” At a time when CUSD 7 faced consecutive years of deficit spending largely due to dwindling state aid payments, the board and administration implemented an austerity program that included not filling teaching and staffing vacancies, along with cutting other expenditures. Those measures, coupled with additional revenue from the county School Facilities Sales Tax Fund and a new “evidence-based” state aid funding formula, have put the district’s financial house in order. In addition to having a balanced budget, Tieman said the district is maintaining reserves the district can tap into in the event of an emergency.
Regarding the district’s academic achievements, as evidenced by “school report cards” issued by the State Board of Education in November, Tieman said student performance is a turn-around from just a few years ago.
“When I hear about schools coming to visit our school,” Tieman said, “I think back to a meeting three years ago.” At the direction of the School Board, then Supt. Paul Skeans challenged administrators and staff to significantly improve student scores on state performance tests. Tieman said some teachers were offended “but the Board was saying something had to be done and the Superintendent was saying ‘I’m tired of being mediocre. Why can’t we be the academic leader?’ Our teachers have responded, our students have responded and our parents have responded. Who would have thought that in three years we’d have schools reaching out to us” to learn more about CUSD 7’s teaching methods and programs.
“My two main points tonight are that not only are we now an academic leader, we are also a financial leader,” Tieman said.
[pullquote]“My two main points tonight are that not only are we now an academic leader, we are also a financial leader,” Tieman said.[/pullquote]
DISTRICT FOCUS EYES STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
After noticing that principal reports to the board often focused on athlete excellence, High School Principal Owsley said he wanted to present a District Focus emphasizing student achievements in the classroom. “You don’t often have a chance to see some of the great things that take place inside the classroom,” he said.
He introduced a team of five vocational students who appeared before the board with a sofa table they had built in shop class. Owsley said that when Mark Goldasich, vocational instructor, showed him a photograph of the piece he “assumed it was something that had been brought in to be refinished or redone but then I was informed these young men had actually built the piece from the ground up.”
The students—Kaleb Crider, Nolan Hayes, Jake Carter, CJ Frensko and Jaylen Ronald—told board members it took about one semester to build the piece. When a photo of the table was posted on Facebook, Owsley said, it elicited dozens of positive comments from area residents. “It was amazing the amount of interest it generated.”
Another student, Dominic Maykopet, attended the meeting with a Nativity creche he built before Christmas for Owsley. Owsley said his father died last year and this was his first Christmas without him. He said he started thinking about Christmas decorations from his childhood, one of which was a Nativity set. Through Ebay, he was able to buy a Nativity set that “was an exact match to the one we had growing up.” The problem was that the set he acquired had no stable.
Owsley said he found a photograph of a stable online, which he showed to Goldasich about two weeks before Christmas break. Goldasich said one of his students could build the stable for him, and Maykopet took on the challenge.
On the day of semester exams, the last day of school before Christmas break, “Dominic came running out to me and said it wasn’t done but he wanted me to have something to take home for Christmas. The student stayed after school to finish the project so Owsley would have it in time for Christmas.
[pullquote]“This is not something you’d see on a Friday night on the football field or the basketball court, but what they are able to do probably is going to make them a lot more money than what they’re doing on the athletic field.”[/pullquote]
“I love having the Nativity scene, but the story of Dominic staying and spending extra time to make sure I had it for Christmas makes it even more special,” Owsley said. He said he’s seen similar stables online selling for $300 or more “and you can tell the difference” between them and the one Maykopet made.
“These guys do some amazing things,” Owsley said. “This is not something you’d see on a Friday night on the football field or the basketball court, but what they are able to do probably is going to make them a lot more money than what they’re doing on the athletic field.”
Although the student was unable to attend the meeting, Owsley also presented a piece of art created by art student Kennedy Clark, which recently received a Gold Key Award in a student competition into which teacher Nikki Brawner entered it. Owsley said it was one of only 63 Gold Key Awards given out of more than 1,000 entries. The work will be displayed through Feb. 27 at the Springfield Art Association, after which it will be sent to New York for judging at the national level.
Owsley also showed the board a prototype Miner cellphone cover created by student Eric Johnson in Eric Bogle’s desktop publishing class. He said Bogle is looking into the cost of having several of the cellphone covers manufactured for class members.
POSSIBLE FOOTBALL CO-OP WITH BUNKER HILL
The board informally directed Supt. Tieman to “at least explore” the possibility of entering into an agreement with the Bunker Hill School District for a cooperative football program after Owsley reported he had been approached by Bunker Hill Principal Matt Smith about the prospect. Bunker Hill reportedly had considered a similar agreement with Mount Olive, but Mount Olive has since entered into an agreement with the Staunton School District.
Tieman is expected to report back to the board with the relative pros and cons of entering into a co-op with Bunker Hill. If the board opts to co-op with Bunker Hill, the agreement would be effective with the 2019 season for a minimum of two years.
While two years would be the minimum length of the agreement, Owsley said Bunker Hill is interested in a more long-term contract.
At least one board member, Bill Carter, expressed reservations about the prospect. With Gillespie High School’s long-term enrollment trends, Carter said, the agreement would be likely to move the local team from 2A to 3A competition. That change, he asserted, could result in longer distances for the team to travel in order to play other teams in their class.
“Most of the schools in our conference are 3A schools,” Owsley said. “I’d hate to cheat anyone out of an opportunity to play football.” Creating the co-op would make the local team 3A, possibly 4A, he said. In terms of travel, he said the schedules he has seen include schools as far north as Auburn to schools south of St. Louis.
“I think we can explore the option,” said Board President Mark Hayes. “We’re not making a decision.”
“I need to know from the board if this is a directive for something you want us to explore,” said Tieman. “What I’m hearing to at least explore it.”
POLICY ADOPTION
The board adopted a series of policy recommendations from the Illinois State Board of Education’s Policy Recommendation Education Subscription Service, a service that periodically provides policy recommendations to local school districts. The list of policy recommendations ranged from policies regarding students bringing technology into the school to notifications for free and reduced-price lunches. PRESS policy recommendations are routinely enacted, but the board took the unusual step of excluding two recommended policies dealing with student behavior and administering medications to students.
Tieman said he recommended excluding the two policies because of potential liability issues and the possibility that one of the policies could jeopardize the district’s federal funding.
One of the policies, dealing with administering medications to students, would allow a school district “if it chooses to do so, make medications available to students essentially 24/7,” Tieman said. “The issue with that is that once you agree to that policy, that medication has to be available all the time.”
As an example, he said, students attending an after-hours function on campus would have a right to access their medication stored at the school. That would mean coaches, teachers, and staff would have to have to have keys to access the medication at any time students are present.
“Our attorneys are telling us you can’t do that,” Tieman said, noting it would make teachers and staff liable for student access to medications. “We don’t want to do that and just as important, I don’t want parents to assume that medicine is available so they can make other plans.”
Additionally, the policy makes reference to the so-called Ashley’s Law which would make medical marijuana among the medications to which students would have access. That provision, Tieman said, could put federal funding at risk for the school district.
The student behavior policy also made reference to Ashley’s Law, indicating students with behavioral issues would have access to medically prescribed marijuana on campus.
“I’m not willing to recommend these policies at the risk of putting our federal funding in jeopardy,” he said.
PERSONNEL
Following an executive session of 80 minutes, the board agreed to extend Tieman’s five-year contract by one year at the same salary as he currently earns. The newly extended contract will be effective through 2024.
On a motion by Jenni Alepra, seconded by Carter, the board voted unanimously to hire Paige Niemeyer as an assistant high school girls soccer coach.
The board also hired Beth Fields as a high school softball coach on a motion by Alepra, seconded by Hayes.
On a motion by Alepra, seconded by Carter, the board accepted the resignation of Nikki Stoecker as the GHS yearbook sponsor and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted the resignation of Keri Bailey as a full route bus driver, on a motion by Don Dobrino, seconded by Becky Hatlee, and posted the position as vacant.
STEM LAB
Middle School Principal Jill Rosentreter reported that the newly constructed STEM Lab is being used extensively by teachers and students and that she has scheduled an Open House for members of the public to view the lab on Feb. 27.
“Our students are enjoying it tremendously,” she said. “Our teachers are absolutely thrilled, and there are some amazing things going on in that lab.”
Tieman agreed, saying he had visited the lab and observed students engaged in experiments and demonstrations.
“I know it carried a hefty price tag,” Rosentreter said, “but if you could see what’s going on in there, it’s absolutely priceless.”
Tieman reminded the board and the public that “95 percent” of the cost of the lab came from revenue generated from the County School Facilities Sales Tax. He lauded those who advocated for passage of the sales tax referendum. “Without those funds, there would be no lab,” he said.
Rosentreter also offered praise for Gerald Brand, representing the Macoupin-Montgomery Chapter of CrimeStoppers, and Resource Officer Jason Stinnett for their work in connection with obtaining emergency buckets for each of the district’s 130 classrooms. CrimeStoppers donated the buckets and Stinnett is actively seeking donations to fill them with emergency supplies such as first aid supplies, flashlights and bottled water.
The buckets, which would be used in the event of an active shooter situation or other emergency, are a step toward “making our entire district safer,” Rosentreter said.
Rosentreter also pointed out that Stinnett has “made great contributions in a short period of time” toward improving school safety. In addition, Tieman said Stinnett is working toward addressing issues with student truancy.
DONATIONS
Tieman reported that the district is receiving an annual donation of $3,000 from TDS Transport, Staunton, for two annual $1,500 scholarships in memory of the company’s founder Lynn Schmidt. Tieman said a committee has been formed to pick two recipients, one male and one female. Carter said the scholarship is not aimed at high academic or athletic achievement but will be targeted at otherwise deserving students.
Tieman also reported that he administered a donation of $724 raised by the high school volleyball team. That money, he said, was split between two families in need for Christmas gifts and food.
FOIA REQUEST
Tieman said the district received one request under the Freedom of Information Act last month. That request from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association asked for a list of teachers retiring in 2019.
“It was an easy request to fill,” Tieman said, “because there are no teachers retiring in 2019.”
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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.
