Community News
Benld Council discusses drone issue, agrees to video Shehorn Lift Station sewer
Drone (Stock Image)
The Benld City Council on Monday night took under advisement a proposed appropriations ordinance to be acted upon next month and agreed to have sanitary sewers in the area of the new Shehorn Lift Station videoed to find sources of storm water infiltration. But it was a discussion about drones and the possible need for an ordinance to govern their use that took center stage during the relatively brief meeting of the council.
Ultimately, the council agreed that an ordinance was unnecessary since the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) already governs the use of drones by private owners.
Ald. Jim Kelly said the issue came up last week when a resident complained to him about a drone hovering over the resident’s home. The complainant said he later followed the drone back to its owner and had a confrontation with the drone operator. Kelly said he was then contacted by the drone owner, who was “very apologetic” but claimed he was licensed by the FAA to operate the device and that he was abiding by FAA rules.
[pullquote]Police Chief Jim Zirkelbach obtained a copy of the FAA rules and determined that “everything he (the drone operator) was doing was wrong.”[/pullquote]Kelly reported that Police Chief Jim Zirkelbach obtained a copy of the FAA rules and determined that “everything he (the drone operator) was doing was wrong.” Among other things, the FAA rules require drones to be within sight of the operator of all times, limits their altitude to no lower than 300 feet and no higher than 450 feet, and requires the operator to obtain permission before operating a drone over private property.
The original complainant, Kelly said, was concerned in part because he has young daughters who dress and undress upstairs and he feared the drone could capture inappropriate photos of the girls. “I told him (the drone operator) that I could understand people being upset,” Kelly said. The owner of the drone reportedly told Kelly that the camera on his drone was incapable of taking such photos.
Kelly said the drone owner was advised of the FAA rules and told to operate his drone lawfully from now on. In the meantime, he said the only city ordinance he and Zirkelbach could find to use as a pattern for a local ordinance was one approved by the City of Chicago. “It’s about the size of a catalog and is more than anything we would need,” he said.
“I don’t think we need an ordinance or anything like that,” Kelly said. “It’s pretty well covered by FAA.”
STORM WATER INFILTRATION
On a motion by Ald. Theresa Tucker, seconded by Ald. Mickey Robinson, the council unanimously concurred with Kelly’s recommendation to have the Illinois Rural Water Association to conduct a video survey of two sanitary sewers in the vicinity of the recently completed Shehorn Lift Station on Park Avenue. Kelly reported that city workers checked manholes on the two sewer lines and found them to be running half to three-quarters full with clear water––evidence that surface water is entering the system from somewhere. He said he had been told by some people that there used to be an opening leading to the sanitary sewer in the creek that runs through the city.
“I would like to get them in here fast and get those sewers camera’d,” Kelly said. “If we can find where those inlets and get them plugged, it will take care of a lot of problems for us.”
The Illinois Rural Water Association will perform the work at a cost of about $1,500 for 900 feet of sewer line, plus a $350 per diem for personnel. Kelly said the cost could be slightly higher if the workers have to survey additional length to find the problem.
In a related matter, the council concurred with the recommendation of Finance Chair Peyton Bernot to pay the $108,000 cost for the Shehorn Lift Station directly out of Water and Sewer Funds. The Water and Sewer Fund, with more than $200,000 in cash reserves, has enough money to pay the bill, Bernot said. “That’s the most I’ve seen in Water and Sewer in the five years I’ve been here,” he said.
Originally, the council had planned to pay the cost of the lift station from the so-called Atrazine Fund and pay the funds back over time from Sewer Improvement Funds collected through monthly water and sewer bills paid by consumers. But Bernot pointed out the Atrazine Fund monies are unrestricted, meaning they can be spent for any purpose. Paying the bill from Water and Sewer Funds, he said, will protect the balance in the Atrazine Fund for other uses in the event of an unexpected expense.
Based on that recommendation, the council took no action on a proposed resolution to pay the bill from the Atrazine Fund and set up payments to pay the fund back.
APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE
Bernot presented council members with a proposed appropriations ordinance to be acted upon at the council’s June meeting. The proposed ordinance calls for appropriations totaling $482,000 for the current fiscal year.
The ordinance is a requirement every year. While not technically a budget, it does set spending ceilings for specific line items that the city cannot exceed without special action.
Bernot reported that city ended last fiscal year, which concluded April 30, with larger cash reserves than originally anticipated. The city ended the year with $307,649 in the General Fund, $268,243 in the Proprietary Fund, $245,958 in the Atrazine Fund, $57,502 in the Motor Fuel Tax Fund and $4,900 in Payroll.
[pullquote]We were very attentive with our money[/pullquote] “We were very attentive with our money,” Bernot commented, adding that the city spent none of the $30,000 it appropriated last year for the demolition of derelict buildings.
Based on the proposed appropriations ordinance, Bernot said he expects to end the current fiscal year with a $15,000 budget surplus and about $321,000 cash on hand in the General Fund.
TABLED ITEMS
The council took no action on a bid to replace the chain fence around the city-owned baseball diamond and deferred action on whether or not to seek bids on the removal of about 100 trees on city-controlled boulevards that have been determined to be dead or dying.
Ald. Brian Frensko presented a bid from an unnamed vendor for about $7,000 to replace the baseball diamond fence. The bid included replacement of the fencing and replacement of damaged posts. After further discussion, however, Mayor Gloria Sidar directed Frensko to seek additional bids for the council to consider.
“That’s a lot of money to just get one bid on,” Ald. Tucker commented.
“Personally, I would like to have bids from other sources and look at the possibility of buying the materials and putting it in ourselves,” said Ald. Jim Tilashalsky, adding that the $7,000 estimate “approaches” the $10,000 ceiling at which bidding is required.
“I’m not opposed to another bid,” Sidar said. “I don’t think we anticipated it being this much.”
Sidar also said she would check with City Attorney Rick Verticchio to see if the city can proceed with removing three to four trees at a time with the current vendor without seeking bids, or if the city will be required to seek bids for the 100 or so trees that need to be removed, even though the city plans to remove only a few at a time as available money allows.
Frensko and Bernot reportedly surveyed the city and identified a total of 100 trees in need of removal, although there is some doubt about whether all of the identified trees are actually on city property. In recent months, the city has contracted with Ruff ’n Tuff Tree Service to remove specific trees on a piecemeal basis.
“That list is so big,” Sidar said. “Should we not put that out for other people to bid on?”
Tilashalsky noted, however, that most vendors would not be interested in bidding unless the city planned a major project to remove all the trees on the list.
“If you bid it,” he said, “the people who put in the time and effort to submit a bid are going to assume it’s going to be done right away.”
Sidar said she would contact Verticchio for an opinion. In the meantime, she asked Frensko and Bernot to go over the list and prioritize the trees most in need of attention.
“We have some that are critical,” Tilashalsky noted.
MOWING LIEN
Council members took no action on a request from a realtor to waive a mowing lien assessed against a property on Dorsey Street at Illinois Route 4. Mayor Sidar said the lien has accumulated to about $2,000 because the city has been mowing the lot for several years. The realtor reportedly has a potential buyer for the property and claimed the $2,000 lien could affect the sale of the property.
The council voted unanimously to accept a bid of $800 from Bobby Contratto for the purchase of two city-owned lots in the 500 block of North Sixth Street. The property, acquired through condemnation proceedings, was previously advertised for sale but attracted no bids. Contratto later contacted the city to see if he could make an offer.
While the bid is significantly lower than what the city has recently sold other lots for, Bernot said the city is unlikely to get a better bid for the property. In the meantime, he noted, the city is continuing to spend money on them for mowing.
CITY IMPROVEMENT GRANT
Without taking formal action, city aldermen generally agreed to apply for a state-funded municipal improvement grant even though the odds of obtaining the grant are said to be slim. Mayor Sidar said the city received a letter from Mike Cavanaugh of the West Central Illinois Planning Commission advising that the grants are available and the deadline for application is Aug. 16.
The city applied for a $50,000 grant for sewer improvements last year through the same program but was unsuccessful.
REPORTS
Ald. Kelly said city engineers Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende have prepared a map of streets to be oil and chipped through this year’s motor fuel tax street program. Sidar noted that none of the streets scheduled for repaving are in areas affected by mine subsidence “because it would just be throwing money away.”
Sidar also reported that the next round of water bills sent out to consumers will include a note reminding residents that city ordinances prohibit mowing in such a way that clippings are thrown into the ditch. Grass clippings can clog culverts and lead to standing water in ditches. After June, residents who violate the ordinance can be cited, she said.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Agreed to replace a water heater that stopped working at the City Park at a cost of $503, with the city, Italian-American Club and Coal Country Chamber of Commerce each bearing one-third of the cost.
- Agreed to pay the Municipal Band $1,200 for a concert performance on Memorial Day at the City Cemetery.
- Agreed to purchase a sign for the 200 block of South Second Street cautioning drivers to be alert for the presence of deaf children.
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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.
