Community News
Benld considers impound lot construction
Pastor Larry Cook of Cornerstone Ministries presented a $720 donation to Police Chief Zirkelbach for the use of the Police Department.
The Benld City Council on Monday night referred to the Police and City Property committees the issue of whether or not the city should establish its own impound lot to hold vehicles impounded by the Police Department. The committees are expected to collect information, including the project’s total anticipated costs, before making a recommendation to the full council sometime in the future.
Ald. Teresa Tucker reported that the Police Committee had discussed the issue during its regular monthly meeting, along with the possibility of revamping portions of the city’s policies on vehicle impoundment.
Currently, the city contracts with an area auto repair shop to tow vehicles impounded by police. Those vehicles are either stored at the repair shop or simply parked unsecured behind the Benld Police Department. To redeem impounded vehicles, vehicle owners must pay the towing bill and a flat $50 fee for storage.
Establishing an impound lot, Tucker said, would enable the city to not only impound vehicles resulting from DUI or no-insurance arrests but also seize derelict cars that are in violation of city ordinances.
If the city chooses to establish an impound lot, Police Chief Jim Zirkelbach recommended revising the redemption ordinance to charge vehicle owners for the towing fee, plus $50 for the first day of storage and an additional fee for each day the vehicle is held. “If we do that, it will pay for itself pretty quick,” Zirkelback said.
[pullquote]Police Chief Jim Zirkelbach recommended revising the redemption ordinance to charge vehicle owners for the towing fee, plus $50 for the first day of storage and an additional fee for each day the vehicle is held.[/pullquote]
The city reportedly is looking at a location immediately to the north of the city maintenance building located near the city water tower. Zirkelbach the cost of materials alone for fencing would run $2,500 to $3,000 for a 50-by-50-foot lot capable of hold about 10 vehicles. Additionally, the city would need to install a relatively inexpensive surveillance camera for security. He said the potential location was selected in part because it already has adequate lighting.
No formal action was taken on the issue Monday night, but it is expected that the council will act on the committees’ recommendation, possibly as early as next month.
ELECTRIC POWER BID
Mayor Jim Kelly announced that a public meeting has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 26, with representatives from the Stone River Electrical Aggregate. The city contracts with the aggregate to supply electrical power, transmitted through Ameren Illinois power lines, at a reduced rated.
Kelly was previously given the power to act on accepting the company’s bids, which were opened last week. Kelly said the representative will discuss the new rates with local residents as well as residents’ options for “opting out” of the program if they wish.
[pullquote]My understanding is that you’re in unless you opt out.[/pullquote]
“I asked them if they would come down and explain things to our people,” Kelly said. “My understanding is that you’re in unless you opt out.”
The new rates, according to Kelly, are 4.3 cents per kilowatt hour from mid-December through mid-June, and 4.98 cents per kilowatt-hour from mid-June through Jan. 20. Last year’s rate was approximately 5.44 cents per kilowatt-hour.
POLICE DONATION
Early in the meeting, Pastor Larry Cook of Cornerstone Ministries presented a $720 donation to Police Chief Zirkelbach for the use of the Police Department. The money represented the proceeds from a recent Krispy Kreme donut sale conducted by church members to raise money for the police department.
[pullquote]We appreciate what the police department is doing.[/pullquote]
“People in this community must really like donuts,” Pastor Cook quipped.
“I’d like to thank you for what you did,” Mayor Kelly told Cook after the presentation.
“We appreciate what the police department is doing,” Cook replied.
Ald. Mickey Robinson announced that the Macoupin-Montgomery Chapter of CrimeStoppers announced last week that it is awarding a $500 grant to the Benld Police Department to purchase radio equipment for a recently acquired police squad car.
TRICK OR TREAT HOURS
Council members voted unanimously to set trick-or-treating hours from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, and Tuesday, Oct. 31. Additionally, on a motion by Ald. Brian Frensko, seconded by Ald. Lance Cooper, the council approved the purchase of up to $200 worth of candy for participants in the Head Start program’s Halloween parade and for a Trunk-or-Treat event at the Benld Public Library.
Mayor Kelly also announced that a city-wide clean-up day has been set for Saturday, Oct. 14. Residents with items to be picked up should have their items at the curbside by 6 a.m. In addition to the city-wide pick-up program, Kelly said a truck will be available at the city park to collect used electronic devices. A fee may be charged for some electronics, such as large television sets.
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
Council members voted unanimously to advertise for bids to demolish a condemned property at 416 South Main Street. The council asked City Attorney Rick Verticchio to add a provision to the bid specifications requiring the successful bidder to fill any wells that might be discovered during the demolition.
The council also approved a resolution declaring the property at 105 South Fifth Street to be a nuisance property and authorizing Verticchio to pursue legal proceedings against the property.
Police Chief Zirkelbach reported that the property recently was signed over to the state because the owner currently is a nursing home patient.
Verticchio expressed surprise that the state would accept the property and said he would pursue the state to abate the nuisance.
After some discussion, the council agreed to have the Police Chief contact the owner of property in the 300 block of North Seventh Street, where a business allegedly is being operated without a business license in a residential area. Ald. Jim Tilashalski brought up the issue, saying an individual requested an application for a business license as well as a petition to request a zoning variance for the property. Neither of those documents was returned to the council for formal action, according to Tilashalski.
“My understanding is that the house doesn’t belong to the individual who made the request,” Tilashalski said. “Now they have a lot of equipment in a residential area.” He asked Verticchio if the city could pursue the matter as a zoning violation or for operating a business without a permit.
“I think we could go on either basis,” Verticchio said. “If they’re operating a business in an area that’s not zoned for that you could file an action to shut them down.”
On the recommendation of Ald. Frensko, however, the council agreed to first have the Police Chief contact the parties before authorizing Vertichio to pursue any kind of legal action.
Also in the area of City Properties, the council accepted a bid of $1,100 from Ruff ‘n Tuff Tree Service to remove a tree from the city-owned boulevard in the 300 block of North Kentucky Street.
CDAP GRANT SURVEYS
Mayor Kelly asked for aldermen to volunteer to go door-to-door this coming week to collect the remaining household income surveys needed to determine whether the city is eligible to apply for a $450,000 Community Development and Assistance Program grant to subsidize 75 percent of a proposed $600,000 sewer improvement project.
To be eligible for the grant, the city must demonstrate that 75 percent of the homes in the areas benefiting from the project are low or moderate-income households. Kelly said the city needs about 40 more completed surveys to reach the magic 75 percent level.
[pullquote]The project tentatively includes replacing two sewer lines on the northeast side of the city, renovating two lift stations and improving 20 manholes.[/pullquote]
Up until now, the city has depended upon residents voluntarily returning survey forms that were sent out by mail. To collect the remaining needed surveys, however, volunteers need to make face-to-face contact to collect the information.
Ald. Cooper said he went door-to-door to collect some surveys last week.
“It’s much easier if you tell them you’ll fill it out with them,” he said. When it comes to the part of the form that requires household income disclosures, Kelly said it is best to let the survey participants complete that information themselves and insert the completed form in the envelope. The collected information is private and is protected from Freedom of Information Act petitions.
The project tentatively includes replacing two sewer lines on the northeast side of the city, renovating two lift stations and improving 20 manholes. Kelly said no decision on proceeding with the project can be made until the city determines its eligibility for grant funds.
“We need to get these back so we can decide what we’re going to do,” Kelly said.
ITALIAN-AMERICAN CLUB
At the request of the Italian-American Club, the council dropped plans to purchase newspaper ad space to thank the club for its contributions to the community. Ald. Tilashalski proposed the idea last month, but Mayor Kelly said the club president told him club members would prefer that the city put whatever money it would spend on an ad toward some civic project.
TREE CONTROVERSY
The council briefly discussed an issue that arose when it was discovered that a tree in the city park that was donated by a local family was cut down several years ago. To remedy the problem, the committee had suggested that the family be allowed to pick out an existing tree at the park and have it marked with a sign or plaque in honor of the family.
Ald. Tilashalski objected, saying that six of the ten remaining trees in the park were trees he paid for from his own funds. He said he had no objection, however, if the family could choose from the remaining four trees near the playground area.
BILLS DUE BEFORE COUNCIL MEETINGS
Mayor Kelly asked Verticchio for suggestions for paying bills that come due before regularly scheduled council meetings and which accrue late fees if not paid before the full council can approve payment of bills. Specifically, he cited the Verizon bill that runs $74.09 per month and the Madison Communications bill that runs about $250 monthly.
Verticchio said the council could adopt a policy to immediately pay bills of less than $500 that would accrue late fees if not paid prior to the regular meeting. In such instances, payment of the bills would be ratified during the regular meeting when the council votes to pay monthly bills.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Accepted the resignation of Ald. Tucker as the council’s liaison to the Benld Public Library Board of Trustees and approved the Mayor’s appointment of Ald. Tilashalski to take her place.
- Approved the Mayor’s reappointment of Vicki Laughlin, Dona Hubert and Mary Ann Scopel to the Benld Public Library Board of Trustees.
- Voted to pay $300 to re-enroll in the state’s Law Enforcement Support Office program which allows the city to purchase surplus police equipment from the State of Illinois for the local police department.
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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.
