Community News
City of Gillespie approves Coal Museum donation, agrees to create 26 new Lake lots
Alderman Frank Barrett points to the location of the newly approved lake lots signified by orange dots.
After several minutes of debate, Gillespie City Council members unanimously approved the donation of $5,264.91 to the Illinois Coal Mining Museum, Gillespie, on Monday night. The donation matches private donations the Museum has received since the last time the city committed money to the facility and is in keeping with a pledge the city made to financially support the museum for three years.
[pullquote]City Treasurer Dan Fisher reminded council members that the city had pledged to match donations up to $8,000 per year for a period of three years[/pullquote]
Ald. Dave Tucker, who also chairs the Coal Mining Museum Board, brought up the issue last month, but action was deferred to Monday night because the item was not included on the previously published February agenda. On Monday, he provided aldermen with copies of a spreadsheet detailing cash donations to the Museum in the amount of $5,264.91, which the city earlier had pledged to match. City Treasurer Dan Fisher reminded council members that the city had pledged to match donations up to $8,000 per year for a period of three years. The council initially approved $4,000 in seed money and later matched slightly more than $1,700 in donations. Fisher said Monday night’s action would represent the second payment by the city for the current fiscal year and that the museum would be eligible for up to $8,000 in matching funds with the start of the new fiscal year starting May 1.
“There were questions about where our donations were coming from, and this was to clear that up,” Tucker said, referring to the spreadsheet. In addition to major donations of cash, he said the spreadsheet also included cash donations that were dropped into a donations box at the museum. Responding to a question from Ald. Steve Kluthe, Tucker said the donations the museum receives are used exclusively for developing exhibits and curating the collection. The city continues to foot the bill for heating and cooling the building, the former United Community Bank building on Macoupin Street, which is owned by the city.
Last month, Kluthe had voiced concerns over the city’s obligation to pay for heating and cooling while the museum contributes nothing toward those costs. On Monday night, however, he indicated a change of heart about the issue.
“I brought it up last month,” he said. “But we have to pay for heat and upkeep because it is our building. Even if the museum wasn’t in there, we’d have to keep the water and electricity on. Whatever we do with that building, we have to maintain it in the meantime.”
The city has aspirations of someday selling the property if a suitable buyer can be found. To that end, it has spent significant amounts in Tax Increment Financing funds to abate mold and asbestos in the building. If and when the building is sold, the Coal Museum would likely be required to move into a new location.
Kluthe praised the museum’s position as a part of tourism development for the community, particularly in conjunction with Route 66 tourism.
“There are things coming into the community that the museum will be a part of,” he said. “It’s like a spider web” where projects are connected to one another. In addition, he noted that Tucker’s spreadsheet documented that the Museum Board is appropriately “using their donations for exhibits.”
[pullquote]This is a good kick off place for Gillespie on Route 66[/pullquote]
“This is a good kick off place for Gillespie on Route 66,” said Mayor John Hicks. “It gives people a place to stop and spend time here.”
He also urged city aldermen to visit the museum and see what it has to offer. “If you go in there and see what they’ve done, I think you’ll have a better appreciation for it,” he said. “It is our building. Even if it was empty, we’d be paying for heating and electricity.” He said having the museum in the building actually is an advantage for the city because it means people are in the building to monitor conditions and guard against deterioration.
On a motion by Ald. Dianna Brickey, seconded by Ald. Frank Barrett, the council voted unanimously to approve the funding. Tucker and Ald. Jim Anderson, who also serves on the Museum Board, abstained from the vote.
LAKE LOTS
On a motion by Ald. Barrett, the council approved the creation of 26 new lake lots on New Gillespie Lake. The new lots include 11 locations on the northeast side of the lake off Bishop Drive, 12 on the west side of the lake off Spanish Needle Road, two lots east of the dam and spillway and one lot, and one lot on an arm of the lake lying to the south of the main channel. All of the new lots can be accessed by road, Barrett said, and will be likely to replace some lots that currently are accessible only by boat.
“If we pass this tonight,” Barrett said as he pointed out the locations on a map of the lake, “I’ve already got five of them leased.”
Ald. Kluthe seconded Barrett’s motion to create the new lots.
City Treasurer Fisher, however, voiced some concerns about the measure.
“I think the idea of adding these lots is probably fine, but somewhere we have to think about where we stand in regard to how many people we can have out there,” he said. “I know we are talking about picnic lots, but these things have a tendency to change classification.” Recreational uses at the lake, he suggested, have to be balanced against potential impacts on the city’s water supply. Among other issues, he said, the additional lots are likely to create a greater demand for water.
Barrett said recreational usage at the lake is “nowhere near” what it was in the 1970s.
“That doesn’t mean things were good then,” Fisher responded.
[pullquote]We’ve vacated a number of lots on the Old Lake. These are really just equally out what we vacated.[/pullquote]
“We’ve vacated a number of lots on the Old Lake,” Kluthe pointed out. “These are really just equally out what we vacated.”
Fisher continued to question the need for additional lots, noting that about a third of the available lots on the lake currently are not leased.
“I think that between our water and recreation, the two of them can live together,” Barrett commented.
Brought to a vote, the measure was unanimously approved.
In other action related to the lake, the council agreed to increase the allowable length for pontoon boats on the lake from 24 to 28 feet. Barrett said pontoon boats do not pose a wake risk that could contribute to erosion and increasing the length will have no impact on the lake. “I’ve had people go to Litchfield because that can’t put their boat on our lake,” he said.
Council members also agreed to a plan that will allow the lake office to sell state fishing licenses and operate a propane canister exchange, and they voted unanimously to approve the purchase of a brush hog at a cost of $1,950 from Nail Equipment.
City Attorney Kevin Polo was directed to check with the city’s insurance carrier to see if it is financially feasible for the lake to offer a public swimming area this year. Barrett said the measure was under consideration previously and that lake personnel have signage and other amenities available to establish a swimming area if the underwriter will approve liability coverage.
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
The council took under advisement a proposal presented by Treasurer Fisher to lay the groundwork for financing an estimated $5 million project to replace water lines by paying off an existing EPA loan early. Fisher proposed dipping into $1.8 million in the Water Fund to pay off $482,511 in principal owed to EPA. That loan, with an interest rate of 2.5 percent, is costing the city $127,609 annually to service. Freeing up that money, he said, would put the city in a position to borrow the money it needs for the water infrastructure project, construction on which is anticipated in about 18 months to two years.
“If we act quickly enough, we would be replacing that money with USDA money at less than 2.5 percent,” Fisher said. He said he was looking for authorization to pay off the loan and lay the groundwork for borrowing money for the water improvement project. “We can stop at any time if it doesn’t look like its going to be a good idea.”
[pullquote]I think the priority has to be the spillway.[/pullquote]
Mayor Hicks and Ald. Collin Mussatto both objected, however, citing a project to repair the dam and spillway at Gillespie Lake as a top priority.
“Are you going to fix the spillway first?” Mussatto asked, adding that it would be impractical to invest in improving water infrastructure if the dam is in danger of failing.
“I think the priority has to be the spillway,” Mayor Hicks agreed. “Then we can go forward with your other projects.”
EXECUTIVE SESSION AND MEMORIAM
No action followed a brief executive session requested by City Attorney Polo to discuss collective bargaining and possible litigation.
Mayor Hicks opened the meeting by asking aldermen and visitors to observe of moment of silence for the late Millie Stewart who served in the City Clerk’s office for more than 30 years.
NEW SPEED LIMIT ON WALNUT STREET
On a motion by Ald. Kluthe, the council directed City Attorney Polo to draft an ordinance imposing a 15 mile per hour speed limit on Walnut Street between Montgomery and Clinton streets. Kluthe said the speed limit is a safety measure requested by the Illinois Valley Rehabilitation Center.
“There are a lot of young people and people who work at Illinois Valley who criss-cross that street every day,” Kluthe said. “I think we’re getting ahead of the problem by doing something before something happens.”
The ordinance will be formally presented for adoption in April.
CULVERT ORDINANCE
Council members unanimously approved an ordinance that will allow the city to replace culverts over the objection of property owners and add the cost of the culvert to the resident’s water bill. Mayor Hicks discussed the measure in February, noting that city has a program to provide labor to replace culverts with the property owner assuming the cost of materials. He said that if several residents in a block replace their culverts and one resident refuses, water will still back up behind the old culvert and basically nullify the advantages of replacing the others. The new ordinance will allow city workers to replace an inadequate or deteriorated culvert regardless of whether the landowner agrees.
Also approved was a resolution calling for the closure of a portion of Illinois Route 4 for the annual Black Diamond Days festival in June. Ald. Jerry Dolliger, who serves on the Black Diamond Days committee, reported the committee is considering rerouting the parade route this year, with the parade lining up on Macoupin Street south of Pine Street and ending at the High School.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Agreed to install a six-foot fence around the communications tower at the Police Department at a cost of $1,680, and a six-foot fence around a lift station at the sewage treatment plant at a cost of $2,900.
- Agreed to purchase an ammonia scale for the Water Plant at a cost not to exceed $2,000.
- Referred to committee a resolution to reimburse city employees and officials for travel and meals while traveling. The resolution is required by law as of this year. The committee will discuss rates of reimbursement to be included in the document.
- Approved a modification to employee’s wage rates to bring non-union wages commensurate with wages paid to union employees. The resolution essentially calls for a three percent raise retroactive to Jan. 1 and a three percent increase effective on Jan. 1, 2018.
- Tabled a resolution to authorize the expenditure of Tax Increment Finance funds pending receipt of bids to move a generator from the former Police Department location to the Civic Center.
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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.
