Community News
Benld Council seeking former Benld School property for park development
Phillip Willis, Granite City, discusses his proposed new business in Benld.
Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night adopted an ordinance formally asking that Community Unit School District 7 transfer to the city the property where the former Benld Elementary School was located for development as a city park. The action followed a 45-minute executive session during which aldermen and city officials met with City Attorney Rick Verticchio.
Also during Monday night’s meeting, the council approved the city’s annual property tax levy ordinance, authorized the purchase of a $35,000 liability insurance policy, and approved a business license request that had been tabled from the previous month’s meeting.
Verticchio, who also serves as one of the school district’s attorneys, reportedly met with members of the School Board prior to coming to Benld to confer with city aldermen. The property, located on the south side of the city, has been vacant since the school district demolished the former Benld Elementary School building, which was damaged beyond repair as a result of a mine subsidence event that began in March 2009. The $7.5 million facility was only seven years old when engineers condemned the building due to extensive damage caused by the subsidence. The school has since been replaced with the new BenGil Elementary School, located on property adjacent to the CUSD 7 high school/middle school campus in Gillespie.
There was no discussion in open session before adopting the ordinance. Verticchio later told the BenGil Post the decision to transfer the property ultimately is in the hands of the CUSD 7 Board of Education. Typically, unused properties are declared as surplus and offered for sale to the highest bidder. There are legal provisions, however, permitting taxing bodies to transfer properties to other taxing bodies without going through the bidding process.
The ordinance drafted by Verticchio was approved on a motion by Ald. Teresa Tucker. Ald. Jim Tilashalski voted “no.” Ald. Tucker, Mickey Robinson, Lance Cooper and Brian Frensko voted “yes.” Ald. Peyton Bernot was absent.
The text of the ordinance acknowledges the condition of the property, stating the property has not had work done to correct the effects of the subsidence and “is limited to the type of improvements installed thereon.” Despite those limitations, the ordinance states, the City of Benld believes the location “would be a proper location for the construction and operation . . . of a Public Park for the general welfare for the citizens of the City of Benld.”
The ordinance also indicates city officials already have been in contact with school officials regarding the school district’s willingness to transfer the property and includes a formal request for the Board of Education to transfer the property via Special Warranty Deed to the city. Further, the ordinance commits the city to develop a public park to be operated by the city on a “perpetual basis,” although no time frame is established for developing the park. The ordinance commits the city to constructing the park and opening it for operation “on a reasonable schedule at the discretion of the City Council of the City of Benld.”
PROPERTY TAX LEVY
On a motion by Ald. Cooper, seconded by Ald. Robinson, the council unanimously approved the city’s annual tax levy, calling for $115,687.51 to be raised from local property taxes for the current fiscal year. The levy will affect 2017 property taxes collected in 2018. The levy total is 2.1 percent in excess of last year’s property tax extension, according to City Clerk Terri Koyne.
Finance Committee Chair Cooper said the document approved Monday night differed slightly from a draft levy the committee had presented earlier because of modifications made on the advice of City Auditor Margot Holt of Scheffel-Boyle Certified Public Accountants.
“The changes were strongly advised,” Cooper said. “We readjusted some of the amounts in the best interest of the city.”
Kayne, who also assisted in preparing the levy ordinance, said some line items were adjusted to more accurately reflect expenditures from specific funds. The bottom-line levy total was unaffected.
“We have to spend the money for what it was levied for,” Koyne said. “It’s the same amount in the end. We can only levy so much, but we have to make sure we levy for where we need it.”
As an example, Koyne cited the Lease, Purchase, Rent fund, for which the city levied $10,497.73 last year.
“I was wrong,” Koyne said. “That doesn’t take in things like the zero-turn mower that we’re buying on a lease to purchase. Things like that that we’re buying outright shouldn’t come from that fund. She (Holt) wanted to eliminate that fund entirely, so we took it down to $100 for this year.”
Additionally, Koyne said, Holt told the Finance Committee that the person who mows city parks should be paid from the Park Fund and that the levy should be adjusted to reflect that expense. Holt reportedly agreed to work with city clerical workers to set up correct funds from which to pay specific expenses in the coming year.
As a result of the changes, some funds have been renamed or divided into separate funds.
Broken down by fund, the ordinance levies $31,897.49 for Corporate Purposes, $9,500 for the Audit Fund, $1,260 for the Municipal Band Fund, $5,00 for City Property and Parks, $4,850 for Maintenance, Streets and Bridges, $13,904.13 for Police, $100 for Lease, Purchase and Rent, $11,119.96 for Liability Insurance, $16,000 for Social Security, $1,200 for Unemployment Insurance, and $9,000 for Workers’ Compensation. For the Public Library, a separate taxing body, the council levied $11,858.91, an increase of about one percent over last year’s tax extension.
The total levy, including the Public Library, is $115,687.51
Koyne noted that the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) in place in Macoupin County limits municipalities to increasing their levies by no more than five percent or the consumer price index, whichever is less, over the previous year’s property tax extension. She said she spoke with County Clerk Pete Duncan, who is responsible for setting the tax rate and was told that this year’s levies are limited to an increase of 2.1 percent. For that reason, she said, the levy approved Monday night represents an increase of 2.1 percent over last year’s extension.
BUSINESS LICENSE
After several minutes of discussion, the council approved issuing a business license to Phillip Willis, Granite City, for a discount retail business to be located in a building in the 200 block of East Central Avenue that was last occupied by a bank more than two decades ago. The business was described as a “retail auction” business when the business application was first presented to the council last month. On Monday, however, Willis said the primary business will be retailing consumer goods at wholesale prices.
“What it is is a wholesale retail place,” Willis said. “I’ll have just about everything you can imagine. We buy out shipments and overstocked stuff like overstocked mattresses.”
Asked about the auction aspect of the business, Willis said he included the possibility of an auction in the business description “so if this doesn’t go good,” he can offer an auction as an alternative to supplement the business. Ultimately, he said, he may have an auction on one night during the week while operating as a retail business the rest of the week.
Willis said he has purchased the building, which has been vacant since the bank moved out, and that he is in the process of working on it to get it into shape for the public. Among the items needed is a new roof. He said it may be two months or more before he is ready to open his doors to consumers.
Willis, who has a daughter living in Benld, said he is interested in helping to revitalize the business climate in Benld.
“We need to get something going down here,” he said. “We’ve got to get some business coming back.”
Answering a question from Ald. Tilashalski, Willis said his business will generate sales tax revenue for the city.
“I don’t know how much, but I guarantee you’ll get something,” he said.
Council members unanimously approved Ald. Tucker’s motion to approve the business license, after which Mayor Jim Kelly reiterated that Willis must have the building inspected before opening. Willis also noted that he had been waiting for the business license before applying for a tax identification number from the state. He also said he and his business partner will formally organize the business though not necessarily as a corporation.
REVAMPED ORDINANCES
In separate actions, the council adopted revised ordinances regarding business licenses and solicitation licenses.
Ald. Tilashalski, who chairs the Ordinance Committee, said the business license ordinance increases the license fee from $25 to $50, and establishes a $30 annual renewal fee. Under terms of the ordinance, all business license renewals will become due on Jan. 1.
The ordinance also establishes a sub-category of licenses for storage unit businesses and sets the licensing fee at $50 for each storage building with up to 20 units per building. Tilashalski said there are two storage businesses in the city, one of which has more than one free-standing building and technically would fall under the multi-building provision of the ordinance. Because the storage business already exists, however, he said it is being grandfathered as a storage business requiring a single licensing fee.
Tilashalski said letters are being sent to currently licensed businesses to advise them of the $30 annual renewal fee. He said the renewal has always been required but apparently was not enforced in the past.
“It’s always been a part of our ordinance,” he said. “They basically have been getting a gift.”
The solicitation licensing ordinance eliminates a separate category for “peddlers,” basically considering solicitation and peddling under the same definition. It sets the licensing fee at $100.
LIABILITY INSURANCE
On a motion by Tilashalski, seconded by Tucker, the council concurred with Mayor Kelly’s recommendation to purchase liability insurance for the coming year through the Illinois Municipal League’s Risk Management Association at a cost of $31,271.
IML offered the lowest bid of four companies presenting bids to the council. Two of the vendors, Matt Gazda of Gazda Insurance, Carlinville, and Mitch Newell of Dimond Brothers Insurance, also of Carlinville, made formal presentations to the council regarding their proposals.
Gaza presented a program costing $42,680 for the year. Newell presented a $57,000 program with the primary difference being the offer of replacement costs vs. market value on city properties. Bliss/McKnight, the city’s current insurer, offered a bid of $45,480.
Following the presentation, Ald. Cooper asked Gazda and Newell to offer their opinion of the other bidders.
“IML is in financial trouble and has been for several years,” Newell commented. “They offer a bare-bones policy. A lot of the charter cities are pulling out of it.”
After hearing the presentations and Newell’s comments, Kelly told the council: “I recommend the Illinois Municipal League at this time.”
SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
The council took no action on a state-mandated directive requiring municipalities to adopt a formal policy to address the issue of sexual harassment.
“I think we are fully covered in the ordinances we have right now,” Tilashalski said.
He said the letter from the state to the city makes note of four issues that must by covered by the municipal policy, including procedures for filing a sexual harassment complaint, a prohibition against retaliating against a person who files a complaint, and consequences for a person filing a false complaint. He cited specific ordinances that address all four issues.
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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.
