Community News
Benld Council enacts zoning ordinance, approves police car purchase
CUSD 7 Supt. Joe Tieman addressed the council regarding an upcoming referendum to impose a one-percent School Facilities Sales Tax in Macoupin County.
The Benld City Council on Monday night unanimously voted to enact an 86-page zoning ordinance, marking the first time city property owners will be subject to zoning. The ordinance and an associated zoning map are both effective immediately.
The ordinance governs a number of property development issues such as the minimum size of residential lots, rules regarding signage for businesses, minimum standards for new construction and other issues. Existing structures are grandfathered as are properties currently located in areas of the city zoned for other purposes. The ordinance and map were the subject of a public hearing held Jan. 12.
Copies of the ordinance can be reviewed at city hall or purchased for $20 per copy. Copies of the zoning map also are available.
After the full ordinance was approved, the council voted on a motion by Ald. Jim Tilashalski, seconded by Ald. Peyton Bernot, to amend Chapter 23 of the ordinance, which deals with manufactured homes.
In a related matter, Tilashalski presented a bill from Illinois Codification Services for $3,457.23 for work related to developing the ordinance and zoning map.
With the Zoning Ordinance now in effect, the council voted to disband the Zoning Committee and appoint its members to the city’s Zoning Commission. The members include Steve Majzel, Dustin Fletcher, Jerry Saracco, Norm Emmons, Gina Mendenhall and Peggy Allan. Randy Koniak is a back-up member in the event one of the other appointees refuses the appointment. Commission members will serve staggered terms of one to three years with the length of individual terms to be determined by lot after the Commission is seated. The Commission will serve as the agency to hear and grant zoning variance petitions and administer provisions of the ordinance.
LABOR ISSUES
No formal action followed a 40-minute executive session requested to discuss employee negotiations.
Upon returning to open session, Ald. Brian Frensko reported he has looked into the purchase of three time clocks to monitor the amount of time city employees are on the job. Frensko said standard time clocks are available at a cost of about $280 and would require printed time cards that would cost about $10 per 100. A cloud-based biometric time clock also is available at a cost of $229. The biometric time clock would require employees to submit a thumbprint for identification when the clock in or clock out. City Attorney Rick Verticchio said that if the city is considering biometric timekeeping technology that option should be included as provision of its negotiations to reach a contract agreement with union representatives.
[pullquote]Frensko reported he has looked into the purchase of three time clocks to monitor the amount of time city employees are on the job[/pullquote]Mayor Gloria Sidar noted that she planned to call another meeting with council members next week to continue the discussion regarding contract negotiations.
In a related matter, Verticchio earlier in the meeting, submitted memos from his office regarding the pending union contract and a proposed employee handbook.
Ald. Tilas noted that the handbook has been reviewed by the City Attorney, and recommended making the changes recommended by legal council before submitting it to employees for further review.
POLICE CAR
On a motion by Ald. Mickey Robinson, the council voted unanimously to borrow $14,500 through the Benld Branch of First National Bank in Staunton at an interest rate of 1.99 percent for one year for the purchase of a police car. Finance Chair Bernot said the city has cash on hand to buy the car outright, but recommended borrowing the purchase price to conserve cash reserves for future needs.
“I wouldn’t want to see $14,500 go out of the General Fund or Atrazine Fund all at once,” he said. “We’re spending $100,000 out of the Atrazine Fund for a lift station and we don’t know what’s going to happen with the state budget.”
An older police car being replaced with the purchase will be declared surplus property in the future and will be offered for sale to the highest bidder.
Last month, the council learned of an opportunity to purchase a used 2014 Dodge Charger police car from the Missouri Highway Patrol at a cost of $15,800. The new car will have about 55,000 miles on the odometer and will remain under the manufacturer’s warranty for the first five years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
No decision was made regarding which of the three current Benld police cars will be replaced.
SCHOOL TAX ISSUE AND LIBRARY CLARIFICATION
Early in the meeting, Community Unit School District 7 Supt. Joe Tieman addressed the council regarding an upcoming referendum to impose a one-percent School Facilities Sales Tax in Macoupin County. Tieman said a similar measure failed by just 88 votes in November 2014, possibly because voters were uninformed about the tax.
“I had people last time who told me they voted no because they didn’t understand it,” he said.
He emphasized that he could not encourage people to vote for or against the measure, but he said he and other school officials throughout the county are working to make sure voters are informed about the issue. If approved, the measure would imposed a one-cent sales tax on consumer items that already are subject to sales tax collections. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs would be exempt, as would be groceries, farm implements and other specific items. Clothing, restaurant purchases and personal care items would be subject to an additional one cent in sales tax collection.
[pullquote]It’s a much more fair tax than property taxes[/pullquote]Preliminary estimates are that the tax would generate about $397,000 annually for CUSD 7, he said.
The revenue is restricted to being used for facilities only, meaning it could be used for building maintenance, new construction and retiring bonds issued for capital improvements. It cannot be used for salaries. Tieman noted that all of the district’s current bond debt is for construction and the school board has committed to earmarking 20 percent of the new revenue for debt retirement and property tax abatement if the measure is approved by voters.
“It’s a much more fair tax than property taxes,” Tieman said. “If you buy a hamburger or a hotdog, you’re going to pay one percent the same as everyone else in the county would pay one percent. It’s a revenue stream for which the district doesn’t have to raise property taxes.”
If approved by voters, the tax would be implemented starting in July and local school districts should start receiving monthly disbursements starting in October.
Toni Wargo, representing the Frank Bertetti Benld Public Library Board of Trustees, appeared before the council to respond to comments made during the last council meeting indicating the library is not a city government entity.
“We feel we are a part of the city,” she said, reading from a prepared statement. She noted the library board is appointed by the mayor with the consent of the council. It collects $10,980 annually in local property taxes and raises the remaining $39,600 of its budget through donations and grants. She also outlined services and special programs the library provides.
UTILITY RATES AND PHONE SERVICE
Council members learned of a possible glitch involved with switching from Frontier Communications to Madison Communications to provide phone service and internet service for city offices. The council voted last month to switch from Frontier to Madison to realize a savings of $76 per month. On Monday night, however, Mayor Sidar reported that Madison now says the city’s outdated phone system needs to be replaced at a significant additional cost. Ald. Bernot, who recommended the change, said Madison technicians looked at the city’s phone system before offering the company’s quote for service. He said he would contact Madison Communications and seek a resolution to the issue.
[pullquote]They sent someone to look at our system and they said everything was fine[/pullquote]”They sent someone to look at our system and they said everything was fine,” Bernot noted.
Council members also voted Monday night to contract with Homefield, a subsidiary of Ameren, to buy electricity at a rate of .0569 cents per kilowatt hour. The council voted last month to reject automatic renewal of Homefield’s contract at a higher rate.
Ald. Jim Kelly, Public Works Chair, reported that Neptune Technologies had advised the city that its meter heads and a reader for electronically reading meters are both outdated and will need to be replaced. Replacing the reader could cost as much as $8,000, but Kelly said he is checking with the vendor who sold the system to the city to see if the company will replace the reader at no charge.
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
Council members voted unanimously to contract with Ruff & Tuff Tree Service to remove one tree in the 100 block of South Sixth Street and two trees in the 100 block of South Seventh Street at a cost of $2,500. Ald. Frensko reported there are other trees in the area in need of removal, but the three trees identified by the committee are in the worst condition and need to be removed as a safety precaution.
“They are hollow and they have good sized branches falling off,” he said.
Council members voted to declare city owned properties at 706 North Eighth Street and 502 North Sixth Street as surplus properties and to offer them for sale with the city reserving the right to reject any and all bids. The Eighth Street property is a vacant lot. Both properties were acquired by the city after they were declared public nuisances.
The council briefly discussed two privately owned properties in the 400 block of South Seventh Street, one of which as an open hole in the roof. Verticchio advised there was nothing the council could do to compel the owner to make repairs unless the city could demonstrate the deteriorating roof constitutes a public nuisance.
“I think our hands are tied,” said Ald. Tilashalski. “Just having a hole in the roof is not enough.”
[pullquote]Just having a hole in the roof is not enough[/pullquote]Council members discussed but took no immediate action on cleaning up the interior of a property recently acquired by the city at 600 Central Avenue. Verticchio said the council would need to make such a decision based on whether or not the city would be likely to recover the cost when the property is sold.
“If someone looks at it and says, ‘Gee, I’d buy it but it hasn’t been cleaned up,’ then you might want to clean it up,” Verticchio said. “The question is how much do you want to spend when you don’t know whether you have a buyer.”
OTHER ACTION
Mayor Sidar reported that an official from the Illinois Mine Subsidence Office spent about three hours looking at possible mine subsidence damage at city hall. She said the official was unable to examine the exterior of the building because of weather, but was scheduled to return on Tuesday to complete the investigation. Still, it will be four to six months before an official determination is made on whether or not the damage can be attributed to mine subsidence and whether the city will be eligible for payments from the Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund to make repairs.
Ald. Kelly reported that he talked with Ron Presnell, who recently approached the council about the possibility of hosting a soap box derby in the city, and learned that several civic organizations are considering working with Presnell on the project. He said a date for the event has not yet been finalized. Once the date is determined, the city plans to petition the Illinois Department of Transportation for permission to close a section of Illinois Route 138 for the event.
Kelly also reported he had been contacted by the Eco Justice Collaborative regarding a petition to require the collection of sales tax on coal in the county where it is extracted rather than where the coal is sold. “Right now, all that revenue goes away,” he said. At some point, Kelly noted, the Collaborative is likely to ask the council to approve a resolution of support for the measure.
In other action, the council informally directed Mayor Sidar to draft and sign a proclamation recognizing the 100th anniversary of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on April 9.
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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.
