Community News
Beleagured board chairman responds to critics as County Board prepares to start budgeting process
Responding to criticism over alleged anti-LGBTQ+ statements he posted on social media, Macoupin County Board Chairman Larry Schmidt read a formal statement regarding the issue during the May 13 meeting of the board.
Schmidt reiterated his intention to remain as Board Chairman, a position he has held for five years.
“I am a peaceful, fair-minded person who tries to make good decisions, but I also have opinions,” Schmidt read from his prepared statement. “I am not mean, spiteful, nor do I seek revenge.” Schmidt also denied that he excluded Democrat board members when he sent a text to board members asking their opinion on whether he should step down from the chairmanship. To the contrary, Schmidt said he was on the road when the controversy erupted and he could not recall the names of three members, two of whom are Republicans.
Chelsa Pruden, who organized a large protest at the board’s April meeting, filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s office alleging Schmidt’s texting board members was a violation of the state’s Open Meetings Act. That complaint remains under investigation, though attorney Pete Drummond has submitted a letter answering the allegations. State’s Attorney Jordan Garrison said the county retained Drummond to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
The full text of Schmidt’s two-page statement appears elsewhere as a Letter to the Editor.
Schmidt was greeted by about 20 protestors before the meeting. They were joined by a half-dozen AFSCME union members who say they have been working for nine months without a contract. A spokesperson for the group said the County Board has halted collective bargaining talks and has not indicated when negotiations will resume.
During a public comment segment of the meeting, Pruden again addressed the board, asking board members to “come together as a body and take a clear stand” regarding the county government’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and demonstrating that “Macoupin County is a county where everyone belongs.”
She said she sent an email, that received no response, prior to the April meeting asking that the board take “three clear steps:”
- Issue a written statement affirming your commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Publicly denounce discriminatory language or behavior by elected officials.
- Formally adopt a resolution that demonstrates a measurable commitment to equity and inclusion.
Pruden said Schmidt’s Facebook post was not a “one time thing.”
“It wasn’t an ‘oopsie’,” she said, adding that other citizens provided her with multiple examples of anti-LGBTQIA+ posts dating back to 2020.
The controversy was sparked by Schmidt’s post on a St. Louis radio stations Facebook page reporting Anneheuser-Busch’s decision to discontinue funding the city’s annual Pride parade. In that post, Schmidt indicated LGBTQIA+ individuals “do not need to march to show off their disability.”
The board also heard from Jena Flores, Granite City, founder and president of the Granite City Liberals Group. Flores offered to provide a workshop on sensitivity and inclusion “if you are at all interested.”
“I wanted to let you guys know that the internet is like permanent ink,” Flores said. “Anything you post is forever and it can come back to haunt you. Whatever you post as a private citizen is going to follow you. You may post something that you think is okay for your family and friends, but if you decide to run for office 10 years later, someone is going to dig into you online activity and find what you said.”
“If you are at all interested in hearing more about our concerns, I’d be more than happy to come up and have a meeting with you,” she said. She said the information she would like to share about inclusion and non-discrimination would benefit office holders who are liberal or conservative. “We’re trying to help you all.”
Flores also addressed House Bill 1304, which would provide a mechanism for citizens to petition a recall of public officials. The bill has been bouncing around the General Assembly for six years and there is a sentiment that it could pass soon. “We’re one of 11 states that doesn’t have a recall bill,” she said.
Diana McGinness, Staunton, briefly addressed the board, confirming that she was the person who researched Schmidt’s anti-LGBTQIA+ comments on Facebook. She also noted that County Board policy directs the board to follow Robert’s Rules of Order, Section 61 of which provides for organizations to remove an official who is judged to have damaged the reputation of organization.
ANNUAL AUDIT
Board members accepted a state-mandated annual audit presented to them by Kara Fuller, an accountant with Scheffel Boyle CPA, Jerseyville, the accounting firm that has performed the audit for the past eight years.
The audit shows the county ending fiscal 2023-24 with cash reserves of $62,719,806, with liabilities of $69,981 as of August 31,2024. Coupled with capital assets and encumbered funds for highways, grants, etc., the county’s total net worth came to $62,719,806.
While the audit gives the county a fairly clean opinion, stating that the financial document provided to auditors “fairly present, in all material respects, the . . . financial position of the government activities.” The report, however, cites several significant deficiencies, defined in internal controls, meaning the deficiencies are less severe than a material weakness but important enough to warrant government attention.
The deficiencies include funds which were either not budgeted or under budgeted. Expenditures that were not budgeted or which exceeded budget include $332,301 in General Fund expenditures for the Sheriff’s Department, $3,864 unbudgeted expenditures from the State’s Attorney’s Bad Check Diversion Fund, $97 in expenditures from the Sheriff’s Drug Fund, $58,217 from the Sheriff’s LEADS Account fund, $25,000 in expenditures from the Public Safety Fund, and expenditures of $115 from the Public Defender’s Automation Fund.
The county raised more than $250,000 in property tax revenue in 2023 than the previous year, even though the tax rate fell from .67225 to .65030.
Fuller said performing the audit required some journal adjustments but those adjustments were mutually agreed to between the auditors and public officials.
Total expenditures for the county were about $500,000 over the previous year, which Fuller said was “pretty good” for a county with an annual budget exceeding $26 million.
GEARING UP FOR BUDGET PROCESS
County Clerk Pete Duncan admonished board members that this summer’s process of developing a budget for fiscal 2026 is likely to be more arduous than past years. With shrinking revenues and rising costs, the board anticipates a lean budget that will require some tough negotiations with department heads.
For the current fiscal year, which ends Aug. 31, the county has received about 67 percent of anticipated revenue as of the end of April.
Sheriff Sgt. Roger Dively who has been the retiring dog’s handler for the past nine years.
“We’re two-thirds of the way through the fiscal year, so we’re right on target,” Duncan said. The $5,339,267 is slightly more than what the county had received by the end of April last year.
Moving onto the fiscal 2026 budget, Duncan painted a less rosy picture.
“If we use the same conservation projections we used for this fiscal year, we’re actually going to be short by about $65,000,” Duncan. With budget hearings already underway, expenditure requests for the coming fiscal year already exceed last year’s requests by about $500,000. “It doesn’t take a math genius to know those numbers aren’t jibing.”
One of the looming factors is uncertainty about fund disbursement from the state.
“We are kind of at the mercy of the state,” Duncan noted, adding that revenue from state resources will not be known until the General Assembly completes a state budget. “I think the best we can hope for is that they will leave us alone, but I don’t think we get any additional funds.”
“It’s going to be a tough summer trying to figure that all out,” Duncan predicted.
HVAC FUNDING
The board unanimously approved a resolution leaving $1.5 million in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and $447,000 in accrued interest in the General Fund to complete a heating, ventilation and air conditioning project underway at the courthouse.
County Clerk Duncan said the ARPA funds were erroneously deposited in the General Fund instead of the ARPA fund. The resolution simply allows the county to leave the money in the General Fund so it can be spent on the HVAC project. The $1,947,000 should be should put the county closer to meeting the $3 million mark for the project. Any additional expenses will be subsequently authorized from the General Fund.
K9 UNIT TRANSFER
By a unanimous vote, the board transferred ownership of a retiring law enforcement dog to Macoupin County Sheriff Sergeant Roger Dively, who has been the dog’s handler for the past nine years.
Dively said he named the dog “Mac,” which was short for Macoupin.
Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl told the board Mac had been a good dog for his department. “He will be sorely missed,” Kahl said.
PERSONNEL
Following a 35-minute executive session to discuss personnel, the board acted unanimously to approve a three-year contract with the Teamsters Union, which represents Highway Department employees. Board member Todd Armour declined to discuss details of the contract, noting that the contract has been approved by both parties but remains to be signed.
The board also took action to grant the Economic Development Committee power-to-act in the hiring of a Grant Manager. Earlier in the meeting, the committee reported it had interviewed several candidates for the newly created position at its most recent committee meeting.
50/50 PROJECTS
In separate actions, the board approved two 50/50 road projects allowing the county to share the cost of each project equally with the respective townships.
Board members agreed to subsidize 50 percent of a $20,000 project to completely replace a 70-foot culvert on Terpening Road in Brighton Township. Highway Engineer Tom Reinhardt told the board the culvert was washed out during recent heavy rains.
The board also agreed to pay half of the cost for $6,000 project to replace a culvert on Prairietown Road in Dorchester Township.
APPOINTMENTS
The board approved the appointment of District 6 Board Member Leann Barr, Carlinville, to chair the board’s Public Safety Committee.
Also approved was the appointment of Tom Stoecker and Tony Wiggins to the county Board of Review for two year terms ending May 31, 2027.
The appointment of Harold Gregory to the Carlinville Fire Protection District for a three-year term ending April 30, 2026.
WATSON RECOGNITION
Before adjourning, the board took a moment to recognize the death of Julia Watson, who served on the board for 33 years.
She was the wife of Robert Watson, who died in January. Her husband was an attorney who was blind. Watson gained a working knowledge of the law by reading law books aloud to her husband to help him through law school.
“She was like having a second State’s Attorney on the board,” one board member commented.
Watson and her husband were parents of former Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jennifer Watson.
Watson died May 5 at her home in Brighton. She was 90 years old.
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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.
