Community News
Coal Museum, employee contract take center stage at Gillespie Council meeting
Macoupin County Enterprise Zone Administrator Mary Beth Bellm asked for the council’s approval adding a half-acre lot in Carlinville to the county’s Enterprise Zone. Bellm also noted that a new addition planned by Dave Link for his Lumpy’s bar and restaurant business on Macoupin Street also would qualify for Enterprise Zone benefits.
Gillespie city aldermen discussed issues ranging from stray cats to the creation of new lake lots during the council’s regular monthly meeting Monday night. But it was a discussion focused on the fledgling Illinois Coal Museum that took center stage near the end of the meeting.
Mayor John Hicks defended the museum after a couple of aldermen questioned the amount of money the city is spending on the former United Community Bank building, which houses the museum’s exhibit space. At the request of Ald. Dave Tucker, who chairs the Museum board of directors, consideration of a request for funds was added to the published agenda at the start of the meeting. Two years ago, Tucker said, the city committed to providing $8,000 per year in funding for the museum over a period of three years, for a total of $24,000. The funds were to be provided as matching funds equal to monies raised by the museum through donations and other sources.
Tucker said the museum raised $5,264.91 last year and moved to approve payment of matching funds in that amount for the 2016 calendar year. City Attorney Kevin Polo, however, advised that since the issue was not part of the previously published agenda, any vote on the expenditure of funds should be deferred to March.
“You can discuss something when it is added to the agenda,” Polo said, “but you may not be able to spend money with an amendment to the agenda.” He recommended adding the issue to the agenda for the council’s March meeting. Based on that advice, Tucker withdrew his motion, and Ald. Jim Alderson, who also serves on the museum board, withdrew his second.
While making the request for funding, Tucker noted the board intended to use at least part of the money for ADA-compliant restrooms. He said the board intended to use volunteer labor for the work. That prompted Ald. Steve Kluthe to question whether or not the restroom work would have to be formally bid since the building technically is owned by the city. Ald. Collin Mussatto also noted the work, whether it is done by volunteers or a paid contractor, would have to be done by a licensed plumber to meet building code requirements. That issue also will be placed on the agenda for March.
[pullquote]Mayor Hicks defended the museum, describing it as an integral part of the city’s efforts to promote tourism in the community.[/pullquote]Kluthe noted that the city is paying upward of $600 a month for utilities at the building and said he is often questioned by his constituents about the city’s involvement with the project. Originally, the city acquired the building with the intent of moving city offices to the upper floor and allowing the lower floor to be used as exhibit space for the Illinois Coal Museum. Utilizing the upper floor, however, will require installation of an elevator for access. In the meantime, the city has expended several thousands of dollars on the building from TIF funds for asbestos and mold abatement.
“I’m not against the museum,” Kluthe said, “but I have people come to me wanting to know who’s paying for this.”
“The building is too big and too expensive for just a museum,” Ald. Janice Weidner said, objecting to the amount of money being spent on the building itself.
Tucker said keeping heat and air conditioning in the building is necessary to preserve the building.
Responding to a follow-up question from Kluthe, Tucker said he didn’t know how many people visited the museum in the past week.
“This is not a high tourist season,” said Mayor Hicks, noting that attendance is likely to increase during the spring and summer months.
Mayor Hicks defended the museum, describing it as an integral part of the city’s efforts to promote tourism in the community.
“I’m all for it,” he said. “If someone came along and wanted to buy the building from us, I guess the museum could be moved to another location.” Whether in its current location or at an alternative location, however, Hicks said the museum is a viable project for the city’s involvement.
Hicks said the Museum board recently heard a presentation by Bill Thomas, who spearheaded efforts to promote Route 66 tourism in his community of Atlanta, located just off Interstate 55 north of Springfield.
“He said we are missing a great opportunity,” Hicks said. A first step, he said, would be to ask Sen. Andy Manar and Rep. Avery Bourne to introduce legislation to designate the museum and the official Illinois Coal Museum. With that designation, the museum would be the “only coal museum on Route 66.”
With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 fast approaching, Hicks said Route 66 tourism is likely to increase dramatically. “We need something here to make them stop and spend money with our restaurants, gas stations and businesses,” he said. A large percentage of Route 66 tourists are European travelers, he said, who are likely to have an affinity for the area because of the large number of European immigrants who settled in around Gillespie because of the presence of coal mines. A coal museum, he argued, is a logical attraction to draw in tourists from other countries.
“It’s a work in progress,” he said. “We need to expand on it.”
LABOR CONTRACT
The council took under advisement a request for Lake employee Gary Thornhill to join the laborers union—a move that would allow him to occasionally be “loaned” to the Street Department when an additional worker was needed. The discussion followed a 25-minute executive session during which council members discussed personnel issues.
Jim Lafferty, a Street Department employee representing Laborers Union 338, said the union has no objection to the move but the city would be required to merge the Lake Department and Street Department into one entity to allow Thornhill to work for both departments. He said the union is not proposing the measure but is willing to accommodate it if the departments are joined. “
“The union isn’t asking for this. They just said it would be okay if we agree to it and you agree to it,” Lafferty told the council. “You’d have to combine the departments, that’s the only way you can do it.”
“I would be the fourth guy if you have a water main break, storm damage to clean up or something like that,” Thornhill told the council.
“It’s going to save a lot of headaches,” said Dale Demkey of the Street Department. “It would let him help us when we need it and let us help him when he needs it.”
Mayor Hicks, however, suggested the move would not totally resolve the city’s shortage of personnel. The city, for example, needs a water meter reader but since those duties fall under the Water Department, Thornhill would be unable to assume those duties.
Ald. Kluthe also worried about possible pitfalls with union restrictions.
“We would have to have an idea of what his duties would be so we don’t have problems with grievances,” Kluthe said.
Hicks said he would want to meet with the union steward to hammer out details and come up with a formal proposal to present to the council for approval at a later date.
ENTERPRISE ZONE
Following a brief presentation by Macoupin County Enterprise Zone Administrator Mary Beth Bellm, the council voted unanimously to add a half-acre lot in the 700 block of West Main Street in Carlinville to the County’s Enterprise Zone. Gillespie is a partner in the Enterprise Zone, along with the City of Carlinville and the County of Macoupin. Bellm said Baron and Suzanne Stayton of Carlinville plan to build a 2,000-square-foot office building on the site to house a physical therapy clinic. Participation in the Enterprise Zone means the owners will receive a refund on sales tax paid on building materials, plus a tiered refund on property taxes, according to Bellm. She said the Staytons are aware that the original Enterprise Zone authorization will expire in four years and may not be renewed.
[pullquote]Bellm also noted that a new addition planned by Lumpy’s bar and restaurant business would qualify for Enterprise Zone benefits[/pullquote]With the approval of Gillespie, Carlinville and the Macoupin County Board, the amendment to add the property to the Enterprise Zone will go to the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for final approval.
Bellm also noted that a new addition planned by Dave Link for his Lumpy’s bar and restaurant business on Macoupin Street also would qualify for Enterprise Zone benefits if he chooses to complete paperwork to participate. Link told the council about his plans to build an addition onto the south side of his building earlier in the meeting. Specifically, he asked the council if a metal-fronted addition would be in compliance with the city’s zoning ordinance. Mayor Hicks told Link he believed the ordinance generally required a brick facade but a metal facade may be an option. He asked Link to consult with the Zoning Board.
STRAY CATS
Council members directed the Chief of Police to contact the County Animal Control Agency about dealing with a population of stray cats in the 200 block of South Macoupin Street. Link appeared before the council to complain about large numbers of stray cats congregating behind his business. He said he counted as many as 18 cats, ranging from kittens to adults congregating on top of dumpsters behind his bar and restaurant. Two women in the community, he said, are feeding the cats, and he said cats may be using the former Area News building on Chestnut Street for breeding a shelter.
“I’d appreciate it if I could get some help,” Link said.
In addition to having police contact Animal Control, City Attorney Polo was directed to draft a letter to the current owner of the Area News building to address weeds and other issues on the property.
WATER BILL
The council took no action on adjusting a water bill contested by Dan and Brenda Smith, claiming such an adjustment would go against city policy and past practice. Dan Smith told the council that the couple was billed for 14,900 gallons of usage in October even though the house was unoccupied for 19 days. The following month, November, the couple was billed for 13,900 gallons of usage.
“We use 3,500 gallons a month,” Smith said. He said he contacted the City Clerk’s office about the excessive bills and was told not to pay them because there was “a problem” with the billing. He said there were no leaking toilets or other leaks in the house in October and November, and no leaks in the water line between the water meter and the house. In November, the city replaced the water meter at Smith’s request and reported usage went down to 4,000 gallons for December. “That tells me it was a bad meter.”
[pullquote]There is no way to prove it one way or another[/pullquote]“We have this happen a lot,” Mayor Hicks said. He said water to the house was shut off to change the meter. When the water was turned back on, the water pressure could have resolved a toilet leak the Smiths were not aware of, according to Hicks. “It doesn’t mean the meter was bad.”
Hicks said there is no way for the city to prove the meter was overcharging the Smiths, and Brenda Smith said city officials told her that faulty meters “never read over, they always read under or not at all.”
“Well,” Hicks said, “that goes along with what I said.”
“Just forget it,” Brenda Smith snapped. “I’ll pay it tomorrow.”
“There is no way to prove it one way or another,” said Ald. Kluthe, recommending no action on the issue. “They say they’re going to pay it anyway. We have to to comply with our rules.”
EQUIPMENT
The council referred to committee three bids for the purchase of a truck and truck chassis for the Street Department. Demkey presented the bids to the council, saying the Street Department would prefer to buy Freightliner equipment. The amount of the bids were not discussed in detail, but apparently range in the neighborhood of $132,000 for a dump truck and up to $84,000 for a chassis on which to mount an existing truck body. Demkey said an existing truck needs to be equipped with a tandem-axle chassis in order to pull the city’s backhoe trailer. Committee members presumably will make a formal recommendation in March to the council in March.
“The Treasurer isn’t here tonight so we can’t even talk about whether we can afford this or not,” Mayor Hicks said.
The council unanimously approved an expenditure of up to $400 to buy a truck-mounted toolbox and a leaf blower for the Lake Department. Ald. Frank Barrett noted a brush hog owned by the Lake Department also would need to be replaced in the near future.
On a motion by Ald. Kluthe, the council voted 6-2 to reject bids from Mike Maedge and Tyler Link to buy a surplus step van. Maedge offered a bid of $215 while Link offered a bid of $218.98. Kluthe said the city would realize more cash from selling the vehicle for scrap, but Ald. Mussatto disagreed.
“This is cash in hand,” he said. “Scrap metal is low right now.”
Brought to a vote, Mussatto and Dianna Brickey cast the dissenting votes.
No bids were received for a surplus chassis and snowplow that also had been declared surplus property and offered for sale.
On a motion by Ald. Jerry Dolliger, the council agreed to buy an extended 60-month/3,000-hour warranty for the city’s backhoe at a cost of $2,644.
LAKE LOTS
The council referred to committee the issue of creating new lots on Gillespie Lake to lease to campers and part-time residents. Ald. Barrett said the city created several new lots in 2015 but that all of the lots that were accessible by road have been leased. He recommended creating several new lots, including seven that would be accessible from Spanish Needle Road. Mayor Hicks asked the Lake Committee to develop a proposal to present to the council for formal action at a later date.
On motions by Barrett, the council agreed to lease Lot No. 13 on Stump Lane at the New Lake to Jeffrey Carpunky, and lease Lot No. 428 to John Weitzel. Lot No. 428 is a camping lot adjacent to a lot with a cabin that already is under lease to Weitzel.
GOATS
Resident Clinton Sanders appeared briefly before the council apparently to once again argue for the city to drop ordinance citations against him for keeping pygmy goats on his property on the city’s southeast side. Sanders “congratulated” the city for dropping three of the multiple citations against him and noted that going to court is going to “take a lot of Mr. (City Attorney) Polo’s time.” A bench trial is scheduled Feb. 23 in Macoupin County Circuit Court.
“It’s on the calendar,” Polo said. “I’ll cover it.”
Sanders also complained that a neighbor also is keeping a single pygmy goat but yet has not been cited by the city.
“How come they’re not getting the same treatment?” Sanders asked. “I’m not trying to stir it up but I think that animal could be taken better care of.”
“We’ll have the police check it out,” Hicks told Sanders. “What’s good for you is good for everybody.” Regarding the treatment of the goat, Hicks said the city would have Macoupin County Animal Control check on the animal.
MONTGOMERY STREET PROPERTY
Ald. Kluthe said he had checked on a residence on Montgomery Street regarding complaints about discarded tires and other trash.
“I issued a warning and took photo documentation,” he said. “They have five days to clean it up.” He said the trash includes tires, mattresses and vehicles with expired registrations. He said he is considering contacting the Public Health Department to investigate the residence and may consult with Polo about having the occupants removed from the home. He also expressed concerns about the welfare of small children living at the residence and said he may contact DCFS to do a welfare check.
CULVERTS
The council discussed but took no action on a recommendation by Mayor Hicks to revise or draft an ordinance regarding culverts through city-maintained ditches. Hicks said past practice has been for the city to provide labor if the resident paid for the culvert to replace failing culverts. The problem, he said, is that occasionally a neighboring property owner may refuse the offer to replace his culvert, meaning storm water continues to back up in the area. He proposed an ordinance giving the city to remove failed culverts if the property owner declines to replace it.
A six- to eight-foot culvert costs about $170, according to Demkey. Kluthe suggested that cost could be added to a property owner’s water bill in $10 increments over a period of time.
OTHER ACTION
In other action:
- City Attorney Polo agreed to write a wage resolution giving non-union employees the same wage increase that was approved for union employees. The resolution will be made retroactive to the last union contract.
- The council discussed but did not act upon a proposal to buy an AED for the Police Department. Police cars are equipped with AEDs, but not the Police Department building. Ald. Kluthe said city library and lake employees have been certified to use AEDs and he recommended requiring police dispatchers to also be certified. Mayor Hicks said the city might be able to use proceeds from a Workers Compensation grant to buy the equipment.
- The council discussed but did not act on a proposal to reseal the Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail, contingent upon the City of Benld covering half of the cost.
- Council members voted unanimously to enter into a $1,630.33 annual maintenance contract to maintain city generators. Hicks said the cost last year was $1,519.
- Council members approved an ordinance to place two-way stop signs on Rice Street at Spruce Street.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.”
Comments
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.
