Community News
Benld Council accepts annual audit, approves Ameren easement modification
Mayor Kelly reported to the council that new flags representing each branch of the military have been purchased and are currently being flown at Veterans Park. The council authorized the purchase of the flags last month, but after last month’s meeting, former residents George and Dee Gaudino (California) donated $180 to purchase the banners.
With only three aldermen present, the Benld City Council on Monday night accepted the city’s annual audit and approved modifications to an Ameren utility easement along the Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail.
In addition to Mayor Jim Kelly, the meeting was attended by aldermen Mickey Robinson, Lance Cooper and Jim Tilashalski, and City Clerk Terri Koyne. Without a majority of aldermen in attendance, there was some question about whether the meeting constituted a quorum, but City Attorney Rick Verticchio said only a majority of the corporate majority was required.
“We have a quorum,” City Clerk Terri Koyne announced after taking roll.
Following a lengthy and detailed presentation by Margot Holt, an accountant with Scheffel Boyle Certified Public Accountants, Alton, the council accepted the city’s annual audit on a motion by Ald. Jim Tilashalski, seconded by Ald. Lance Cooper. The audit, covering the fiscal year that ended April 30, will be filed with the Illinois State Comptroller’s Office as well as the Macoupin County Clerk’s Office.
Reading from the document, Holt said the financial statements provided by the city to the auditors “present fairly, in all material respects, the respective modified cash basis financial position of the government activities, the business-type activities, and each major fund of the City of Benld, Illinois, as of April 30, 2017.”
[pullquote]You have what we call a clean opinion, which is what you want to have[/pullquote]
“You have what we call a clean opinion, which is what you want to have,” she said. “Overall, it’s a good report.”
While the audit provides a “clean opinion” of the city’s financial reporting, it notes that that city’s use of a “modified cash basis” for accounting is counter to generally accepted accounting procedures. Last month, in response to a communication from the State Comptroller’s Office, the city moved to switch its accounting procedures to an accrual basis.
Holt noted that the audit includes a page to reconcile the city’s modified cash basis accounting with an actual cash basis. The only difference, she said, is that the cash basis includes capital assets and depreciation, which are not actual cash assets but have an impact on the city’s financial position.
Holt spent several minutes on a page-by-page discussion of the audit.
The document shows total assets for both governmental and business-type activities of $3,342,364 as of April 30, with liabilities of $41,000 for a net financial position of $3.3 million at the end of the fiscal year.
A page detailing financials for the water and sewer department, along with trash collection—the so-called business-type activities for the city—shows total cash assets of $200,817, with equipment and capital assets of about $2.2 million. Liabilities are shown at nearly $52,000, with an end-of-the-year net position of about $2.4 million. The document also shows the Refuse Fund owing Water and Sewer $6,882, which is the amount Water and Sewer loaned as seed money to commence the city-controlled trash collection program.
The same page documents about $74,000 in negative cash flow for the Water and Sewer Fund, which Holt said was due to a one-time $125,000 expenditure for renovating the Shehorn Lift Station. That project will now become a depreciable asset for future audits.
For governmental activities, which includes the city’s motor fuel tax program and General Fund, the audit documents assets of slightly more than $744,000 with liabilities of about $1,800 and an end-of-the-year net position of $742,000.
[pullquote]Holt said the audit does address the issue of internal control regarding financial activities.[/pullquote]
Though not identified as an audit “finding,” Holt said the audit does address the issue of internal control regarding financial activities. Being a small town government, Holt said the City of Benld doesn’t have the resources to hire additional personnel to act as comptrollers in regard to city financial activity. However, based on past recommendations, she said the city has taken steps to implement mitigating controls.
For example, she said she observed the City Clerk coming into the office on the days water bills are due, collect the payments and prepare the bank deposit for the day. That information was then used to enter the data in the city’s QuickBooks accounting system.
“That’s good,” she said. “That’s a separate control.”
Likewise, having the treasurer do the reconciliation of the monthly bank statement adds another layer of mitigating control.
She said the auditors did make some oral recommendations to the Mayor regarding accounting procedures and that the Mayor may wish to discuss those recommendations with the council in more detail.
“Most of the oral recommendations we’ve made in the past have been implemented,” she noted. One of those recommendations, she said, was eliminating the use of signature stamps to affix signatures to checks.
AMEREN EASEMENT
On a motion by Ald. Tilashalski, the council approved a resolution modifying an easement Ameren has with the city along the Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail. Roger Osthoff, who identified himself as a contractor hired by Ameren, said the utility company wanted to address the issue prior to a “vegetation reclamation” project involving the removal of vegetation potentially encroaching on power lines.
“They’re going to clean up the vegetation,” Osthoff said. “They’re wanting to keep vegetation away from the easement and make sure trees don’t sway and touch the line or vice-versa.”
[pullquote]They’re wanting to keep vegetation away from the easement and make sure trees don’t sway and touch the line or vice-versa.[/pullquote]
Ald. Mickey Robinson voiced concerns about rumors that the utility plans to replace poles carrying power lines with large metal towers. He said residents have complained that cell phone service on the 1.9-mile bike trail is spotty already and that large towers could further compromise cell phone service.
Osthoff said he was unaware of any plans to replace utility poles with towers at this time.
“What Ameren is telling us it that this is a vegetation reclamation project,” he said. “They’re trying to better define the easement. There is an easement already, but the width of easement varies.”
City Attorney Rick Verticchio, who reviewed the easement modification on behalf of the city, said there is no current proposal to do anything other than the vegetation reclamation project.
“They already have an easement,” Vericchio said. “They have a right to do that (build towers to carry transmission lines) now. This is only to better define the easement by expanding it in some areas and, in some cases, contracting it.”
A city resident who uses the trail voiced concerns about how the removal of vegetation could eliminate morning or afternoon shade on the trail.
Ultimately, all three aldermen present at the meeting voted to accept the resolution.
BUSINESS LICENSES
Council members approved issuing a business license to Jessica Rieffer for the Firehouse Salon, to be located at 207 West Central Avenue, but tabled a business license request from Phillip Willis, Granite City, for a retail auction business to be housed in a former bank building in the 200 block of East Central Avenue.
Jessica Rieffer said the Firehouse Salon will be housed in the same building as a Discount Pool and Patio business and a video gaming business she and her husband, Ed Rieffer, already own and operate.
The salon currently is located in Gillespie.
“We’re just moving the business from Gillespie to a building we own here in town,” she said.
Ald. Tilshalski asked to table action on the Willis auction business license request, pending more information. “I have a lot of questions,” Tilashalski said.
FLOW METER REPAIRS
The council unanimously voted to accept a bid from Missouri Machinery and Engineering, St. Louis, Mo., to repair a flow meter at the city’s sewage lagoon. The meter is used to measure effluent coming into the Benld sewer system from Sawyerville.
The bid calls for a cost of $1,179 for labor, plus $4,620 if the meter itself has to be replaced or $3,886 if the issue can be addressed by making repairs to the control box.
[pullquote]Savant said the St. Louis firm is the only nearby company capable of working on the unit.[/pullquote]
“That’s for everything in the box,” said Jim Savant, maintenance supervisor. “It’s burned up.”
Savant said the St. Louis firm is the only nearby company capable of working on the unit.
Mayor Jim Kelly reported that the city will make repairs to hydraulic systems on a John Deere road grader “in-house” with the assistance of Dustin Fletcher.
“Dustin has agreed to do it here, so that will save us a lot of money,” Kelly said.
SANTA EVENT
With one abstention, the council authorized the expenditure of up to $275 to cover half of the cost of ‘An Afternoon with Santa’ being co-sponsored with the Build Benld civic improvement group. Tom Allan, representing Build Benld, said the cost of the event currently is estimated at about $520, with $400 earmarked as a donation to HEIDI (Helping Every Individual Develop Independence) in exchange for Santa’s appearance at the event.
Allan said the event is set for 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Benld Civic Center.
He said the group has received a donation for cookies from Randy’s Market, and plans to spend about $120 on snacks and treat bags for children who attend the event. Parents are welcomed to take photographs of their children with Santa, but no photographer will be provided.
In a related matter, Mayor Kelly publicly thanked Build Benld for benches the group recently placed in the downtown area.
ORDINANCE REVISIONS
Ald. Tilshalski reported that the council will be expected to vote on adopting revisions to the city’s ordinance book in December. The Ordinance Committee has been working on updating ordinances for several weeks, and City Attorney Verticchio reportedly has reviewed and commented on the proposed updates.
Mayor Kelly reported that the city has received responses from the owners of four nuisance properties to whom the city recently sent letters. One of the nuisance properties is being torn down and the owner of one of the properties has asked for more time to bring his property into compliance.
Ald. Cooper voiced concerns about serving a letter on one of Benld’s long-time residents who is responsible for one of the nuisance properties.
“Maybe we could have handled that a little different, maybe we could have gone to him and talked to him before just a letter on him,” Cooper said.
“We’ve gone to him before,” Ald. Tilashalski said. “This letter should not have come as a surprise to him because of the condition of the house.”
“I don’t mean any disrespect,” Cooper commented. “I just thought we could have been more compassionate.”
FLAG DONATION
Mayor Kelly reported to the council that new flags representing each branch of the military have been purchased and are currently being flown at Veterans Park. The council authorized the purchase of the flags last month, but after last month’s meeting, former residents George and Dee Gaudino donated $180 to purchase the banners.
The couple currently resides in California.
“We appreciate your efforts to keep Benld going,” Kelly said, reading from the Gaudinos note to the city. “Benld is our hometown and we try to support it whenever we can. The coal dust is still on us.”
Kelly also acknowledged a letter from the Governor’s office that accompanied an Illinois Bicentennial flag. Benld, along with other Illinois communities, will start flying the flag starting on Dec. 4 in commemoration of the state’s 200th year.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved Christmas bonuses of $125 for full-time employees and $75 for part-time employees.
- Ratified by the Mayor’s appointment of Norm Emmons to fill an existing vacancy on the Benld Public Library Board.
- Approved the expenditure of about $200 to cater an appreciation luncheon for city employees from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 22, at City Hall. City offices will close for business at noon that day.
- Approved the schedule for regular meetings of the council for 2018. The council will continue to meet at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month.
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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.
