Community News
Benld eyes $450,000 CDAP sewer grant
Jesse Maynard of Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende Engineers told council members that he and city maintenance worker Jim Savant identified area that could be included in the sewer project.
Benld city officials will soon conduct an income survey of residents on the northeast side of the city and those living west of the railroad track in hopes of qualifying for a $450,000 Community Development and Assistance Program grant to underwrite 75 percent of an estimated $600,000 sewer improvement project. To qualify for the grant, the city has to document that more than half the households in the areas benefitting from the project are low to middle income.
[pullquote]The grant program requires responses from at least 75 percent of the households affected by the project.[/pullquote]
During the regular monthly meeting of the Benld City Council on Monday night, Jesse Maynard of Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende Engineers told council members that he and city maintenance worker Jim Savant had identified areas two weeks ago that tentatively could be included in the project. The preliminary proposal calls for replacing two sewer lines on the northeast side of the city, renovating two lift stations and improving up to 20 manholes. The city’s share of the cost would be about $150,000, plus $40,000 for preliminary engineering work.
Maynard said lift stations on Hickory and Chestnut streets are being considered for renovations that would include new control panels and new pumps.
“Some of the pumps are 20 years old, and that’s a long time for a pump,” he said.
Including the Hickory Street lift station will somewhat complicate the income survey, he said. “We’re basically talking about everything on the west side of the tracks,” he said. Otherwise, improvements to sewer lines on the northeast side of the community will involve a relatively small number of households that will have to be canvassed. The grant program requires responses from at least 75 percent of the households affected by the project. Getting that level of response from a mailed survey, he said, is unlikely.
“You’ll probably end up going door to door,” he said, though he noted the city could start with a mailed survey to see how many voluntary responses are submitted, then go door-to-door to households that do not respond.
The scope of the project is tentative at this time and could be expanded or cut back depending upon the level of grant fund the city is likely to receive. In addition to the income survey, eligibility for the grant also is contingent upon the city having an EPA permit in place to do the work. To apply for the permit, Maynard said his firm would have to do a preliminary design to be submitted to EPA at a cost of $40,000. Once the permit is granted, he said, it is good for two years.
No formal action was taken Monday night, but council members generally agreed to proceed with the income survey as a first step toward applying for the grant.
If the grant is awarded and the project proceeds, Maynard said it could have a significant impact on the city’s sewer problems.
“Hopefully we can get rid of some the infiltration into your system,” he said, “and get rid of some broken sewers that Jim (Savant) is having to jet now to clean out.”
ONLINE BILL PAY PROGRAM
In other action, the council approved expenditures for programs and equip to allow water customers to pay their utility bills online or through automatic deductions, accepted the resignation of a clerical worker, and approved a resolution to expand the duties and increase compensation for the City Clerk.
Over the objection of Ald. Teresa Tucker, the council voted 5-1 buy $2,000 worth of software from CUSI, the company that provides the software the city currently uses to prepare water bills. The measure includes $1,000 for software to enable online bill paying and $1,000 to prepare National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA) files to enable customers to have their monthly payments automatically deducted from their bank accounts. The council also approved, with Ald. Tucker abstaining, a contract with First National Bank calling for the city to pay $12 per month to have automatic deductions deposited into the city’s bank account.
The measures have been under discussion for several months.
“We have belabored this for four months,” said Finance Chair Peyton Bernot.
He read from a letter submitted by Deputy City Clerk Gina Frensko indicating the new programs will cut office labor related to water billing issue in half.
[pullquote]They can go online, see their bill and make a payment online anytime 24 hours a day.[/pullquote]
“They can go online, see their bill and make a payment online anytime 24 hours a day,” Bernot said.
Frensko, who attended the meeting, told council members she sent out a survey with the last round of water bills and received 86 responses from customers who said they would be interested in paying via automatic deductions or online. The survey also identified 27 to 35 customers who currently pay their water bill at the bank and would consider paying online or through automatic deductions. Bernot noted that participation in either program is voluntary and customers who want to continue to pay their bill at City Hall can do so.
“Out of 720 water users,” Bernot said, “that kind of response” shows there is a level of interest in the services.
CITY CLERK’S DUTIES
Council members unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Katina Weller, who had worked in the City Clerk’s office for the past three and a half years. Weller said she was leaving to accept a full-time position with benefits.
In a related matter, on a motion by Ald. Bernot, the council voted unanimously to approve a resolution to expand the duties of City Clerk Terri Koyne and to compensate her for the additional work. As an elected official, Koyne is paid a stipend of $125 per month for performing the duties of the City Clerk, which include taking minutes of meetings, signing ordinances and resolutions, and maintaining the city’s ordinance book. With Weller’s departure, Koyne also has been serving part-time in the city office during office hours. Under the newly approved resolution, Koyne will be compensated for those hours—not to exceed 45 hours per month—at the state-mandated minimum wage. Current minimum wage is $8.25
The city does not intend to replace Weller. Allowing Koyne to do office work at minimum wage, the city expects to save about $6,000 per year in salary costs.
Council members also voted to ratify Koyne’s appointment of Gina Frensko to continue serving as Deputy City Clerk.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The council took the unusual step of convening an executive session immediately after the regular meeting was called to order. During the 55-minute closed-door session, council members reportedly discussed legal issues and personnel but also heard a presentation regarding the city’s annual audit from Margaret Holt from Scheffel and Boyle CPAs, the city’s public accounting contractor. Audit reports normally are discussed in open session and no specific reason was given for hearing this year’s report in executive session. Mayor Jim Kelly told The BenGil Post the complete audit is available for public review online on the State Comptroller’s website.
[pullquote]Bernot reported that the audit showed revenue from state sources last year was down by $18,942.[/pullquote]
On a motion by Ald. Bernot, the council voted unanimously in open session to accept the audit.
Later in the meeting, under committee reports, Bernot reported that the audit showed revenue from state sources last year was down by $18,942.
“If you haven’t read the audit, please do,” he told the aldermen. “It’s an important document. We have to make financial decisions here every month.”
LIQUOR LICENSES
The council adopted a revised liquor license ordinance that standardizes the start and finish dates for all annual liquor licenses. The newly amended ordinance establishes the term of an annual liquor license from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.
Kenny Herrin, the owner of The Cabin, a bar and restaurant on the city’s east side, appeared before the council to request an opportunity to purchase a liquor license in his own name. He told council members he had been advised to buy a license in order to hold it for whoever might buy or lease the property in the future. The business has been closed for several months and Herrin said he only recently became aware that the license expired on Dec. 31.
Mayor Kelly told Herrin that the license actually expired before Dec. 31 because the current ordinance calls for unused licenses to expire after 90 days. Kelly said it would not be a benefit for Herrin to maintain a license in his name because the licenses are not transferrable. Whoever buys or leases the building would have to apply for their own license if they intended to sell liquor at the establishment. If he were to buy a license in his own name, it would expire in 90 days unless Herrin reopened the business to activate the license, Kelly noted.
Bernot noted the city has a limited number of liquor licenses but there currently are unused licenses available. Even if the license quota was met, Bernot said the city could vote to establish additional licenses if needed.
“I can guarantee you this council is not going to turn down business,” Bernot said.
“We’re not even close to our limit,” Kelly said. “We would happily sell you a license, but you’d have to activate it to keep it from becoming void after 90 days, and any new owner would have to come in and get their own license.”
“It’s been a bar since it was built in the 60s,” Herrin said, explaining his anxiousness about the possibility of a new owner being unable to acquire a license. “I feel a lot more comfortable about it now.”
POLICE PROTECTION
The council voted unanimously to approve a contract between the city and the Village of Sawyerville to provide police protection in Sawyerville at a cost of $800 a month for one year.
Approval of a three-year contract to provide protection to the Village of Mount Clare at a cost of $1,200 per month, however, met with some resistance. Ald. Bernot noted that the contract allows the city to withdraw with 60-day’s notice to Mount Clare. However, he said, he had concerns about whether the City of Benld actually would invoke the clause if the cost of providing police protection increases.
“This contract has no increases for three years,” he said, adding he was not convinced the city would use the 60-notice clause of the contract to renegotiate the terms when needed. “We don’t know what’s going to happen in our finances. I don’t know what’s going to happen at the state level. In my opinion, this is fiscally irresponsible.”
“I guarantee you we will sit down with them every year,” Ald. Tucker countered.
Before the roll call, Ald. Jim Tilashalski announced he also would vote “no” on the contract for the reasons Bernot had cited. Brought to a vote, the measure was approved 4-2.
Police Chief Jim Zirkelbach appeared before the council to answer questions about overtime charges on his police report.
Earlier in the meeting, Police Chief Jim Zirkelbach appeared before the council to answer questions about overtime charges on his police report. He said some overtime charges occur because of the city’s 911 agreement requiring them to respond to 911 calls in neighboring communities when assistance is needed. For example, Benld police officers participated in the manhunt earlier this month in Gillespie for two suspects involved in an aggravated battery and robbery incident. Zirkelbach said he occasionally has to pull in an off-duty officer for patrol when another officer is required to travel to Carlinville to testify in court. Likewise, he said he sometimes needs to bring in off-duty officers to secure a crime scene or accident scene.
“There are times when I have to have a scene secured and I have to have people to do that,” he said. “Each situation determines how much manpower you need.”
While Benld police occasionally are called to other communities for special circumstances, Zirkelbach pointed out those communities are equally obligated to provide personnel to Benld when needed.
Also related to police protection, the council voted unanimously to spend up to $1,000 for a third refurbished laptop computer to be installed in a Benld Police Department squad car.
BIKE TRAIL
The council tabled action on sealing the city’s share of the Gillespie-Benld Bike Trail until city officials can determine the extent of the trail for which Benld is responsible. Gillespie Mayor John Hicks brought up the issue in a discussion last week at the Gillespie City Council meeting, saying the City of Gillespie and City of Benld should share the cost of resealing the asphalt surface on the hiking-biking trail between the two cities.
Mayor Kelly said the two municipalities had gotten pricing for the project from Macoupin Asphalt, Carlinville, which prompted Ald. Colin Overmeyer to voice an objection based on the company’s lack of union employees.
“I’m not in agreement with this,” Overmeyer said. “We have union workers here. They (Macoupin County Asphalt) are bringing people here and they’re not hiring out of the hall.” He asked if a clause could be inserted in the contract to require union workers on the job.
City Attorney Rick Verticchio said the city could not dictate that a contractor uses union labor. However, he pointed out, anyone doing business with the city must pay prevailing wages as established by the Department of Labor.
“Do we have to do it this year?” asked Bernot. “Can we put it off another year?”
“All we can do is talk to Gillespie,” Kelly replied.
Bernot then asked why Benld’s share of the trail is 1,400 feet longer than Gillespie’s. Kelly and council members generally agreed they had previously thought the cities’ shares of the trail were equal and agreed to delay a decision on resurfacing until the discrepancy could be explained.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Agreed to allow Robert McClain to install nets on the basketball hoops at Veterans Park and rest ripe the asphalt courts at his own expense. McClain made the offer in a letter to the council, noting the nets will be “red, white and blue because the park is in memory of veterans.” McClain also asked about safety issues associated with children playing on a military tank at the park.
- Accepted a bid from Josh Marinacci, Benld, to tuck point the rear wall of the Civic Center. There have been issues with moisture entering the building and the hope is that tuck pointing will resolve the problem.
- Approved expenditure of $1,600 to restock the city’s supply of culvert tubes. When the city installs culverts at private properties, the owner reimburses the city for the cost of the culvert used.
- Entered into a $3,230 year-long contract with Missouri Machinery and Engineering to maintain city-owned pumps.
- Agreed to start billing consumers for late charges on unpaid trash bills. Previously late fees were excluded from the city’s monthly water, sewer, and trash billing.
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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.
