Community News
Benld Council approves $1.8 million appropriations ordinance, Awards demolition contracts for nuisance properties
The Benld City Council on Tuesday night approved an annual appropriations ordinance projecting expenditures of up to $1,818,422.76 for the current fiscal year. The meeting was postponed from the council’s regular meeting Monday, June 21, when the council failed to achieve a quorum. Ald. Brian Frensko and Ald. Dustin Fletcher were absent for Tuesday night’s rescheduled meeting.
The council also awarded $59,200 in demolition contracts to raze three nuisance properties in the city, accepted low bids for this year’s Motor Fuel Tax street maintenance program, and approved contracts to make repairs to the Civic Center roof and remove dead or dying trees from city rights-of-way. Additionally, the council voted unanimously to accept a donation of a disabled-accessible swing from the HEIDI Foundation to be installed at Veterans Park, voted to erect a new sign at Veterans Park and authorized improvements at Veterans Park.
With the addition of one amendment to increase the appropriation for demolishing derelict buildings from $50,000 to $70,000, the council unanimously approved an appropriations ordinance authorizing expenditures for the fiscal year that began May 1. Finance Chair Ald. Lance Cooper said City Clerk Terri Koyne suggested amending the demolition line item $20,000 upward, citing nearly $60,000 in demolition contracts approved by the council Tuesday night. The demolition line item is part of the ordinance’s City Property line, which totals $144,835.50.
Though required by law, the annual appropriation ordinance is not necessarily a budgetary document. At its bare minimum, the ordinance sets the maximum amounts the city can spend from specific funds for the fiscal year. The documentation attached to the new ordinance goes a step further, projecting maximum expenditures for specific items within each category, and projecting the overall impact on city finances for the fiscal year.
According to the documentation, the city began the current fiscal year with a $330,699.30 balance in all city funds. The city expects income of $550,000 plus another $505,306 in grant funds. Total expenses are projected at $1,224,599, leaving a balance of $161,406.29 at the end of the fiscal year.
The total appropriation for expenditures from the General Fund this year is $593,823.75, compared with $555,189 last year. Broken down by individual categories under the General Fund umbrella, the ordinance sets maximum expenditures for Administration at $38,367, compared with $33,305 last year. The appropriation for City Property is $144,895.50, compared with $70,030 last year. The ordinance appropriates up to $228,965 for the Police Department, compared with $244,375 a year ago. Additionally under the General Fund, lesser amounts are appropriated for the annual Audit ($4,960), Municipal Band ($1,200), Cemetery, ($1,300), Legal Fees ($25,000), Unemployment Taxes ($1,200), and Parks ($6,682.50).
The total appropriation for Proprietary Funds is $1,200,000, same as last year. Proprietary Funds are monies collected for specific city-provided services and must be spent for those purposes only. The substantial decrease in the total appropriation is due to the receipt and expenditure of grant funds last year for a significant sewer improvement project.
This year’s total appropriation for Sewer expenses is $824,998, compared with $789,825 last year. The appropriation for the Water Department stands at $279,601, compared with $294,150 last year. The appropriation for trash pick-up is $120,000, compared with $112,000 a year ago.
A separate line item for the Motor Fuel Tax Fund sets maximum expenditures at $90,655. With a beginning balance of $105,993 and revenue of $45,000, the Motor Fuel Tax Fund is expected to end the fiscal year $60,338 in the black. No expenditures are anticipated from the Atrazine Settlement Fund, which is expected to earn $275 in interest and end the year with $279,194 on the books.
NUISANCE PROPERTY DEMOLITION BIDS
The council voted unanimously to accept bids from Shafer Excavating and Demolition, Pontoon Beach, to demolish three properties that have been adjudicated as nuisance properties. Shafer’s bid of $50,800 was about $6,200 higher than a bid from Stutz Excavating, Alton, to demolish and remove properties at 202 and 204 East Central Avenue but the council chose the higher bid because Shafer committed to wetting down debris during the project to control any asbestos that might be present.
Shafer was the low bidder to demolish the property at 301 West Central Avenue at a cost of $8,400. As with the other two properties, Shafer’s bid included measures for asbestos abatement. One other bid was received from Stutz Excavating in the amount of $11,500.
The council tabled action on selecting a contractor to demolish and remove property at 203 South Seventh Street because, according to Mayor Jim Kelly, a potential buyer has expressed interest in acquiring the property. In the event the property is sold, the new owner would assume responsibility for abating the nuisance.
On a motion by Ald. John Balzraine, seconded by Ald. Mickey Robinson, the council voted unanimously to approve a resolution designating property at 400 and 404 South Seventh Street as a nuisance property. On Balzraine’s recommendation, the council also voted unanimously to prepare nuisance property resolutions for the former Baptist Church now owned by Holy Dormition Russian Orthodox Church and a derelict property on Kentucky Street.
Early in the meeting, Ed and Jessica Rieffer appeared before the council to ask the city to dismiss an ordinance complaint against the property they own on Illinois Route 138 on the east side of the city. Ed Rieffer told the council he received a notice to appear in court and he urged the council to waive the complaint to preclude him from having to expend time and effort to appear. City Attorney Rick Verticchio said the Rieffers received a notice of an ordinance violation but no court date had been scheduled.
Rieffer said he has made a concerted effort to improve the property since purchasing it. The premises had swampy areas overrun with weeds, he said, which he has drained and mowed off. He said he keeps the property mowed weekly and had replaced a faulty foundation at the rear of the residence.
“I’m actually trying to improve the property,” he said. “I’ve cleaned it up quite a bit.”
Work on repairing and improving the residence, he admitted, has not gone as quickly as he had hope. Rieffer said both he and his wife had been out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving them with no surplus income to invest in the building.
He complained that the city had unfairly targeted him when there are other properties in the city in worse shape that the owners are making no effort to repair. He said the city had cited a property he owns in the 300 block of South First Street after a relative allegedly evicted a tenant and allowed another to move in without his knowledge.
Verticchio said Rieffer was cited in that instance for allowing a tenant to move in without having the property inspected. “If you had someone living there, whether it’s one day or 30 days, it’s a violation of our ordinance,” Verticchio said.
Mayor Kelly told Rieffer would take his request to dismiss the complaint “under advisement.” He said council members would consult with the city’s ordinance officer before making a decision.
“I understand you did get a building permit?” Kelly asked.
“Yes,” said Rieffer.
“That’s a factor that will go in your favor,” Kelly said. He said Rieffer would be notified of the city’s decision.
MOTOR FUEL TAX BIDS
On a motion by Balzraine, seconded by Ald. Robinson, the council approved materials bids for the annual Motor Fuel Tax street maintenance program later this summer. The cost of this year’s program will come in at about $55,000.
Maedge Trucking, Inc., Highland, was the low bidder to provide 15,960 gallons of road oil at a cost of $1.96 for a total of $31,281.60, and 626 tons of seal coat crushed stone at a cost of $14.70 for a total of $9,202.20. Both bids were slightly higher than the engineer’s original estimate. HMG Engineers had projected $1.70 as the estimated cost for a gallon of road oil and $13.25 per ton as the cost for seal coat crushed stone.
DeLaurent Construction Co., Inc., Wilsonville, was the sole bidder to supply 656 tons of seal coat aggregate (loaded, spread and rolled) at a cost of $22.50 per ton. DeLaurent’s bid came in 30 cents below the engineer’s estimate of $22.80 per ton.
The total project will cost about $5,000 more than the engineer originally estimated.
VETERANS PARK
Appearing before the council on behalf of the HEIDI (Helping Every Individual Develop Independence) Foundation, John “Jocko” Rolando reported that the foundation wanted to donate a disabled-accessible swing for installation at Veterans Park. Council members voted unanimously on a motion by Ald. Cooper to “accept the generous offer” from the Foundation.
Rolando said the Foundation raises money to help children in the area and has recently donated accessible swings to the communities of Gillespie and Dorchester. “They’re made for kids who can’t get into a swing any other way so they can get in and enjoy it,” Rolando said. The swings cost the organization about $2,400 per unit, he said.
Rolando said the organization will order the swing, expecting it to arrive in six to eight weeks which will provide time for the city to complete site preparation. A portion of a $500 donation from Build Benld for Veterans Park will be used to pour a concrete pad. Volunteers from the Knights of Columbus will assist with installation.
Kelly expressed public thanks to both HEIDI and Build Benld.
In a related matter, the council approved the purchase of a new sign for Veterans Park. City Property Chair Balzraine said the current sign is “falling down” and in need of replacement. Elite Print, Gillespie, will produce the 72-inch by 36-inch vinyl sign at a cost of $499.41.
Balzraine said he is looking into replacing the wooden boundary around playground equipment with PVC pipe. He said he would consult with HEIDI board members to advise the city on pouring the concrete pad for the accessible swing. If money is available, he said the city may also pour pads for picnic tables at the park.
ROOF REPAIR
On a motion by Ald. Jim Tilashalski, the council accepted an estimate from Young Roofing, Gillespie, to replace a six-by-six-foot section at the southwest corner of the Civic Center roof. Balzraine said Young had provided a bid of $25,880 to replace the entire roof but also provided a tentative estimate of $5,860 to replace the leaking six-by-six-foot section. The amount is “tentative” because of possible fluctuations in the cost of materials, particularly wooden sheeting.
Balzraine said Young told him the temporary fix should buy the city another five years before it has to address replacing the entire roof.
One other bid was received for replacing the roof. Lakeside Roofing offered a bid of $47,898 but offered no alternate estimate for a temporary repair to the leaking portion of the roof.
TREE REMOVAL
On a motion by Tilashalski, the council approved a total bid of $2,775 from Feeley Tree Service, Gillespie, to remove three dead or dying trees from city rights-of-way and remove overgrowth from around the city pump house on the city’s northwest side. Feeley will remove trees from the 300 block of South First Street, 700 block of North Fifth Street and 500 block of North Sixth Street at a cost of $1,675. Additionally, the company will cut back overgrown trees and brush at the pump house at a cost of $1,100.
Balzraine said brush removal at the pump house is just the first step of correcting a multitude of issues at the facility. He said he was asked by the mayor to inspect the building and report on needs.
“It’s in very bad shape,” Balzraine said. In addition to the overgrown vegetation, he said the soffits are coming off and the roof is failing.”It needs to be insulated and have the ceiling lowered,” he said.
Balzraine said he would begin getting price estimates for needed repairs, which he will bring back to the council for consideration.
“We need to do something,” he said. “That’s our water supply and there are birds flying in and out of it.”
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
Council members unanimously approved an amendment to a recently approved ordinance requiring residential premises to be inspected between tenants. The amendment clarifies the residential properties subject to the inspection rule to include homes being sold contract for deed, quitclaim or warranty.
The council tabled action on a new ordinance to regulate mobile homes within the city limits. The proposed ordinance was referred back to the committee and is expected to be included on the agenda at a later date.
Council members unanimously approved a resolution to accept the assignment of the city’s contract with Flowers Sanitation to Republic Sanitation after Mayor Kelly disclosed Flowers recently sold its business to Republic. Kelly said Republic agreed to honor the remainder of Flowers’ contract with the city.
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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.
