Community News
Auditor says $10 million water project in Gillespie is feasible
Brenda Masters-Stout, an accountant with Fleming & Tawfall, told Gillespie City Council members the water project is very doable.
An accountant with Fleming & Tawfall, the accounting firm that conducts the city’s annual audit, told members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night that an ambitious project to borrow up to $10 million for a project to replace aging water lines throughout the city is financially feasible but may require moderate increases in water rates.
“My end result is I think it’s very doable,” said Brenda Masters-Stout. “It surprised me because when Dan (Fisher, City Treasurer) called me and said you were thinking about such a large loan, my first thought was, ‘Are you nuts!’ But as I looked at it, I thought, ‘No, it’s not nuts.” I think it makes sense.”
The project has been under discussion for several months with Fisher advocating for borrowing $10 million from the USDA’s Rural Development program to be paid back over 40 years at an interest two percent. On Monday night, he told the council the two percent rate should be available for the remainder of this fiscal quarter but could increase after that. “If it went down for some reason it would be whatever rate is lowest at the time,” he said.
“I think it’s an exciting idea to do such a big repair project all at once,” Masters-Stout said. “I think it could work.”
Last month, the council directed Fisher to ask Fleming & Tawfall to do an analysis of the Water Department’s cash flow to determine whether or not the city could afford the loan payments over four decades. She said Fisher provided her with spreadsheets and data he had prepared, but that she decided to take her own approach, using numbers from the city’s annual audit. She said she focused on the last three years of data rather than looking at a longer period of history because “so many of my clients have seen a decrease in revenue because of the volume of water being used.” At the same time, she said, operational costs have increased due to increases in the cost of chemicals and other factors.
“As an auditor, I can’t tell you what to do,” she said. “I can only look at facts and numbers and provide them to you.”
From 2014 to 2016, according to Masters-Stout’s numbers, net operating cash for the Water Department ranged from a high of $564,851 to a low of $423,612, with three-year average of $512,034. Deducting for current loan payments, she ended up with an average of $256,729. She noted that an EPA loan costing $52,000 per year has been paid off with existing cash, and that the city anticipates eliminating one employee as a result of the improved water infrastructure for a savings of about $45,000 in salary and benefits. Accounting for that $97,000 margin brings the average available cash flow to $353,729 per year.
Masters-Stout said her projections do not take into consideration increases in labor costs, chemical costs or utility costs because she had no way of projecting those factors.
[pullquote]This is a very simple, straight-forward approach, but I think that average (cash flow) is a very good indicator of what to expect in the future[/pullquote]
“This is a very simple, straight-forward approach, but I think that average (cash flow) is a very good indicator of what to expect in the future,” she said.
For the first time, the council learned there is a strong possibility of the city receiving a grant for the project, which would reduce the city’s loan obligation to $7.3 million.
“I called Rural Development and they told me you were originally thinking about a $10 million loan but that might be brought down to $7.3 million because of a possible grant that was pretty likely to happen,” she said.
“I have been in contact with Rural Development a lot, and Rural Development is trying very hard to get us a grant somewhere around $3 million,” Fisher said. “The initial response has been favorable. I’ve been in contact with the Congressional staff from this area and they are going to see what they can do to help us out in Washington, D.C.”
Given the possibility of a grant, Masters-Stout said she ran two different scenarios—one for borrowing $7.3 million and one for borrowing the full $10 million.
For a $7.3 million loan, the city would be obligated to make annual loan payments of $276,159, plus a $27,616 contribution to a new loan reserve and a $57,468 contribution to a new loan depreciation reserve. That would bring the city’s total obligation to $361,243 annually.
Fisher, however, said it is likely that the city will fund the new loan reserve and the new loan depreciation reserve upfront with existing cash in order to reduce the city’s monthly loan payment. The new loan depreciation reserve is a new Rural Development requirement that requires loan recipients to set aside money that is earmarked for replacing depreciable equipment that is less than 20 years old at the time the loan is executed. “We have to have that because it’s a 40-year loan,” Fisher said. “The beauty of it is that if we have to replace an asset, that money would come from this fund rather than are operating funds.”
“USDA says you have to set aside so much money every month for repairs, or you can fund it upfront,” Masters-Stout said. “The problem is that you have to call USDA when you need something. You might call USDA and say, ‘We have this repair we need to do’ and they might say ‘no’.” Even though USDA would have control of the funds, they will be city assets, according to Masters-Stout. Any balance left in the funds at the end of the loan’s life would be returned to the city.
[pullquote]The city’s $361,243 estimated annual obligation for a $7.3 million loan is within $7,514 of the the average $353,729 in operating cash Masters-Stout estimated.[/pullquote]
The city’s $361,243 estimated annual obligation for a $7.3 million loan is within $7,514 of the the average $353,729 in operating cash Masters-Stout estimated. With a total of about 1,600 water customers, that difference could be made up with a 39-cent per month surcharge on water consumers’ monthly water bills, according to Masters-Stout.
If the city fails to secure a grant and borrows the full $10 million, Masters-Stout said the annual loan payments would go up to $378,206, plus $37,821 for the new loan reserve and $57,468 for the new loan depreciation reserve, for a total annual obligation of $473,495. That’s approximately $100,000 in excess of the $353,729 average annual cash flow Masters-Stout projected. In that scenario, water rates might have to raised an average of $6.19 per month.
“If you go with $10 million, I think you’d need to increase your water rates,” Masters-Stout said, “but even at that I don’t think the increase would not have to be significant.”
“We don’t have to do anything right now, but it would be prudent to go ahead and start making small increases and let them build up over time,” Fisher said.
Fisher said a second EPA loan costing $127,000 per year will be paid off in five years, which will further improve cash flow. In addition, he said the new water infrastructure will virtually eliminate the frequent water main breaks the city now experiences.
[pullquote]We will eliminate two weeks of meter reading and we will eliminate water breaks, both of which are substantial costs for us.[/pullquote]
“Two things will happen as a result of this project,” he said. “We will eliminate two weeks of meter reading and we will eliminate water breaks, both of which are substantial costs for us.”
Masters-Stout said the terms of the loan call for the city to start making payments two years after the construction is completed. Assuming it takes one to two years to complete the construction, the city would have three to four years before it started repaying the loan.
“So you have three to four years to increase your cash flow and set aside money,” she said, “so I think the money will be there.”
The council has taken no formal action to enter into a loan agreement. Some sort of action is likely within the next two months as the deadline for locking in a favorable interest rate closes in.
IVEDC SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM
The council gave the committee power to act on a proposal from the Illinois Valley Economic Development program to relocate its Senior Nutrition program to the Gillespie Civic Center. The program was displaced from its former location next door to the Bend Civic Center when the ceiling in that facility recently collapsed.
Ald. Dave Tucker said the program, which provides low cost meals for seniors, has been operating temporarily out of the Benld Head Start building, but will have to move out when the school year commences in mid-August.
“They do a lot of good for senior citizens and we have a lot of senior citizens in Gillespie,” Tucker said. “I think we should look at this seriously.”
Under tentative terms of the proposal, IVEDC would pay for remodeling and new equipment to bring the Civic Center kitchen up to commercial kitchen standards. The improvements probably would include the installation of an ice maker that would then be available for the city’s use, Tucker said. In addition, the agency would contribute to paying for Civic Center utilities, pest control and trash pick-up. Tucker said the cost-savings to the city probably would amount to about $185 per month.
IVEDC would use the Civic Center from 7:30 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, Tucker noted. Most of the meals the agency prepares are carry-outs or Meals on Wheels, he said. In Benld, about eight to 12 seniors come to the facility to eat together, but Tucker said that number might increase when the program is moved to Gillespie. Since the program is limited to early in the day during the week, it would be unlikely to interfere with other uses for the Civic Center such as wedding receptions and similar events.
[pullquote]I think overall it would be beneficial to the city[/pullquote]
“I think overall it would be beneficial to the city,” said Ald. Janice Weidner.
One possible glitch in the plan is the need to have the Civic Center floor stripped and waxed, which will take about a week. On a motion by Tucker, the matter was referred to the committee, which will meet in two weeks.
“That will give us a chance for Kevin (Polo, City Attorney) to write up something for consideration,” Tucker said.
ALLEY ISSUE
Mayor Hicks took under advisement a request from resident Richard Grove to vacate the remainder of an alley located north of Easton Street between Spring and OIive streets. Grove said he sometimes “works” in the alley but has had complaints from the neighboring property owner. He asked the council to consider vacating the entire alley, which is the only alley within that residential block.
City Attorney Polo said the city vacated a portion of the alley at the west end sometime within the past decade, while retaining a utility easement. The remainder of the alley, however, running behind three homes, including Groves’, remains open.
Hicks said one of the issues is that the other two homes, now owned by the same landlord, have a shared driveway. If those homes are owned by separate property owners in the future, he said, the residents would have trouble accessing their property if the alley were to be closed.
“Are there entrances to those garages in the back?” Hicks asked Groves.
“Yes,” Groves responded.
“See, that’s the problem,” Hicks said. “Let us look into it and see what we have to do.”
IMPOUND LOT FENCE
The council gave the Police Committee power to act on repairing a fence around a lot used by city police impound vehicles at the lowest possible cost.
“This is not a new fence,” said Police Chief Jared DePoppe. “It’s repairing the fence that’s there.”
Committee Chair Ald. Steve Kluthe said he had a bid of $910 to replace a 30-foot section of chain link fence and 14 feet of the top rail.
Ald. Frank Barrett said the city has in storage some chain link fencing removed from an area at the city ballfields which might be able to be used to make the repair. Hicks directed Kluthe to work with the fence vendor to see if he will lower the price if the city is able to provide the fencing materials.
Also in the area of the Police Department, DePoppe reported that a full-time officer—Tom Miller—had been recruited away from the city by the Illinois State Police.
[pullquote]Sometime within the next 31 days we hope to install a new full-time officer.[/pullquote]
“We are down one full-time officer,” Kluthe told the council. “Sometime within the next 31 days we hope to install a new full-time officer.”
DePoppe said he had hoped to have a candidate to present to the council Monday night but was unable to complete the necessary legwork in time for the meeting. “I hope to have a recommendation for the council to consider next month,” he said.
Kluthe also reported to the council that the Police Committee plans to spend about $200 for shelving to install in the Police Department evidence room. “Right now, there’s no shelving and we’ve got stuff sitting on the floor,” he said.
FIRE HYDRANT REPLACEMENT REQUEST REJECTED
Without taking formal action, the council rejected a request from a resident to replace a fire hydrant located on Baker Street at Handy Street. Mayor Hicks said the hydrant is marked with a “Do Not Use” sign and the resident is worried about how firefighters could respond to a fire at her home. He said the problem with replacing the hydrant is that city has no way of shutting off the water to install a new hydrant.
“There are still hydrants in that area that are available,” said Ald. Jerry Dolliger, who also serves as a firefighter. “If she had a fire, we couldn’t use that hydrant anyway because it’s too close.”
PROPERTY DONATION
Following a 15-minute executive session, the council voted unanimously to accept a donation of two vacant lots on Second Street and East Spruce Street. Mayor John Hicks said the lots were owned by an absentee owner living in St. Louis whom he declined to identify until after the property is transferred to the city. The city has no immediate plans for using the property. Hicks said they are located in residential areas and may be offered as locations for new home construction.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved a lake lot lease transfer for Lot 307 at the New Lake to Brandon and Danielle Green.
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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.
