CUSD 7 News
CUSD #7 administers Third Illinois 5Essentials survey to improve student learning
Students, parents, and teachers weigh in on school climate and learning conditions
CUSD #7 will join the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in the third statewide survey of school climate and learning conditions. The survey provides a unique opportunity for teachers, students, and parents to have a voice in improving their schools.
From January 12 through March 13, teachers, students, and parents will be asked to take a 20-minute research-based survey to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment. This survey will serve as an opportunity for schools to reflect on progress since the last statewide implantation.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report measuring five “essentials” critical for school success:
• Effective Leaders
• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environment
• Ambitious Instruction
Twenty years of University of Chicago research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of the 5Essentials were 10 times more likely to make substantial gains in improving student reading and math than schools that were weak on three or more of the Essentials.
Those differences remained true even after controlling for student and school characteristics, including poverty, race, gender, and neighborhood characteristics. Strength on components within the Essentials also correlated with increased teacher retention, student attendance, college enrollment, and high school, graduation.
Generated from a rigorous analysis of teacher and student survey responses, 5Essentials Reports demonstrate that what teachers and students say about their schools can serve as important indicators for school success.
In the inaugural 2012-2013 statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey, 87 percent of all schools in the state met the 50-percent participation threshold to receive a 5Essentials Report, with participation from more than 70 percent of all teachers and eligible 6th through 12th graders across Illinois.
Teachers, students, and parents may complete the Illinois 5Essentials Survey online. For more information visit: https://illinois.5-essentials.org.
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In a stunning display of athletic prowess and determination, Chaz Oberkfell, a junior at Gillespie High School, crossed the finish line first at the 2024 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A State Cross Country Championships, securing his victory with an impressive time and personal best of 14:31.9.
Rounding out the top five was senior Nicolai Martino of Winnebago (14:33.9), senior Gabriel McLain of Benton (14:33.9), sophomore Maxwell Kirby of Peoria Notre Dame (14:47.7), and senior Andrew Kurien of Rockford Christian (14:54.8).
The championship race, held at the scenic Detweiller Park, drew competitors from across the state, all vying for the coveted title. Oberkfell showcased his exceptional talent and training and was in second place before securing the first place spot toward the end of the race.
Oberkfell’s victory is a testament to his relentless dedication and the support of his coaches and teammates. Throughout the season, he has consistently demonstrated remarkable speed and endurance, often finishing races well ahead of his competitors.
The Gillespie community turned out in full force to support the team with many friends, family members, and fellow students cheering the team on Friday morning when the team bus was escorted through town and again on the sidelines Saturday morning. The triumph victory not only highlights Oberkfell’s personal achievements but also brings recognition to Gillespie High School’s cross country program. The team has shown tremendous growth over the past few years, and this victory is a significant milestone.
Also representing Gillespie in the state championship race were Carter Sies (16:59.4), Marshall Garwood (17:03.3), Hank Fletcher (17:15.4), Nolan Hostettler (17:23.9), Matthew Plovich (17:37.4), and Lucca Kapp (17:40.1).
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education voted on Monday night to accept the district’s annual financial report and audit, and agreed to drop $5 million in mine subsidence coverage in an effort to mitigate against rising commercial insurance premiums.
Ken Loy, an auditor with Loy Miller Talley Certified Public Accountants, Alton, presented highlights of the financial report for the fiscal year that ended June 30 this year. Loy said the auditors provided a “clean opinion” overall for the district’s procedures for accounting, tracking financial information and maintaining internal controls. State law requires the auditors to render opinions in three specific areas, including an opinion on overall auditing standards and an opinion on internal control compliance within each of the district’s major programs. Additionally, the auditors were required to present on opinion on the district’s handling of federal funds, which exceeded $3.4 million last fiscal year.
“You have three reports with three clean opinions,” Loy said.
The financial report also includes a financial profile assessment required by state law. Loy said the profile, determined through calculations for five different ratios, is 3.7 out of 4.0 for the past fiscal year. The “Recognition” status is the state’s highest category for school districts.
“Most districts have been on the ‘Watch List’ and Gillespie has been on the ‘Watch List’ in past years,” Loy commented. “But you’re at the top of the ladder now and have been for the past two years.” Loy said Gillespie had a perfect score in four of the five categories used to determine financial status but fell short in the area of long-term debt.
“Your long-term debt is a little on the high side,” Loy said, largely because of financial liabilities the district incurred after the loss of Benld Elementary School due to mine subsidence.
The report shows the district having $11,460,000 in long-term debt, requiring annual debt service payments of $1.1 million to $1.2 million. Additionally, the district has $639,711 in lease liabilities for equipment such as school buses.
Comparing revenue to expenditures, the district took in more money than it spent in all for two funds, where budgeted spending deficits were covered with existing surplus funds.
The financial report documents a property tax for last fiscal year at $3.49 per $100 in equalized assessed valuation. At the same time, the district’s total equalized assessed valuation was set at $103,564,334, up from $87,198,959 two years ago.
“The last three years, you’ve had some pretty big increases in equalized assessed valuation of six to eight percent,” Loy commented. “That’s a lot different from a few years ago when it was 2.7 to three percent.”
The document reports the cost of educating one student for one year at $8,892, which is what the district would charge as tuition for an out-of-district student. The average daily attendance was 1,005, which is up from 996 the previous year, but still shy of 1,028 for 1,100 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Loy characterized the school’s overall financial condition as stable.
“You’ve had three or four pretty good years in a row that helps offset some of the bad years you had in the past from about 2016 to 2020,” Loy said.
COMMERCIAL INSURANCE DEBATE
On a motion by Amanda Ross, seconded by Peyton Bernot, the board voted to renew a commercial insurance policy with Wright Speciality with some modifications to the company’s original proposal. The action followed several minutes of debate as the board wrestled with substantive increases in premiums.
The policy covers general liability, property damage, crime, vehicles and workers compensation, along with additional coverage for mine subsidence. While premiums for coverage in most areas were similar to the previous year, the premium for property damaged jumped nearly $40,000 from $105,821 to $142,444. Supt. Shane Owsley said the increase was due to the insurer’s experience with paying out weather-related claims over the past year. Additionally, the company proposed reducing the district’s deductible for wind and hail damage from 10 percent to 1 percent.
The total premium for standard coverage came in at $261,238, compared with $219,888 last year.
Additionally, the district purchased mine subsidence insurance for $124,189 for the first $10 million in coverage, plus $48,852 for the next $5 million and $44,175 for yet another $5 million in coverage. Essentially, the district was paying $217,216 for a total of $20 million in mine subsidence coverage.
Owsley said the district could shave $5,893 from the standard policy premium pay upping the deductible to $15,000 for all perils excluding wind and hail.
“I’d love to keep all the insurance, but you’d be looking at about $50,000 in additional premiums,” Owsley said. “I don’t have any good answers for you.” Owsley proposed increasing the deductible from $10,000 to $15,000, dropping $5 million in subsidence coverage, and purchasing additional “gap” coverage for about $50,000 for wind and hail coverage.
Owsley noted that a castrophic loss due to mine subsidence, as when Benld Elementary School was a total loss, is unlikely. Moreover, $20 million in coverage would not be nearly enough to cover a total loss of one of the district’s classroom buildings. Mine tunnels under the newly constructed BenGil Elementary School were injected with concrete before the school was built, but portions of the High School/Middle School are undermined and subject to mine subsidence damage.
“When you drive around this area in the country, you see a lot of sinks,” Weye Schmidt commented.
Owsley said he’d been advised that it’s not a question of wthether or not the district will experience mine subsidence damage at some point but rather “when” that damage will occur.
Bernot agreed $20 million would not be enough to cover a catastrophic loss and if such a thing were to happen, the district would be forced to return to the legislature for funding to replace a school. Additionally, the amount of money the district can levy is limited by tax caps, meaning the district cannot levy enough in property tax to cover the increase in premiums.
“Where would that money come from?” Bernot asked.
“It would have to come from our reserves,” Owsley replied.
Bernot commented that he’d be comfortable with eliminating $5 million in subsidence coverage to reduce premium costs.
The approved plan—with $15 million in mine subsidence coverage, a $5,000 boost in the deductible, and the addition of gap coverage for wind and hail—will total $475,386, compared with $421,976 the district paid last year.
ATHLETIC REPORT
Athletic Director Jeremy Smith addressed the board with an end-of-season report, which included an extensive discussion regarding to the future of the district’s soccer program. Previously, the district was part of a coop with Litchfield High School to field enough players tor a team, but Smith reported Litchfield recently dropped out of the coop.
“I’ve reached out to local schools to see if they would coop with us,” Smith said. “They’re not really interested, mainly because, with our enrollment, it would put them up into the next class.”
The district could resume a soccer program as a parent-supported sport, according to Smith and Owsley. However, the Litchfield program became a school-supported sport two years ago, meaning Gillespie soccer parents have not been active for the past two years. Owsley said a goal would be to recruit at least 18 players, at a cost of about $10,000 per player—meaning parents would have to raise about $180,000 to fund the program. Owsley was optimistic about recruiting 18 players because younger players have been reluctant to join the program because they could not drive themselves to Litchfield.
The district currently sends six players to Litchfield.
Smith said he is awaiting results from a survey of students to gauge the level of interest in a local program. In the meantime, GHS Principal Jill Rosentreter said soccer parents are “anxious” about what direction the school will take. She said she and Smith are making an effort to keep parents informed as the local district works toward a resolution.
Smith also introduced a sports webpage which can be accessed via the school district’s webpage. The new website includes a sports calendar, schedules, and information about Sports Hall of Fame inductees. Smith said parents can even set up a personal account through the page which will ensure they receive emails regarding schedule changes, cancellations and other information.
PERSONNEL
Following a one-hour executive session, the board voted to post a vacancy for an elementary Social/Emotional Learning coordinator, and voted to hire Kelly Helen as a district custodian.
In other action, the board accepted the resignation of Jay Weber as head coach for the parent-funded middle school cross-country program, and hired Trae Wargo as the seventh grade basketball coach.
The board accepted the resignation of Alexis Ollis as the GMS/GHS head cook and posted a vacancy for the position. Board members also voted to hire Amy Costello as a three-hour part-time cafeteria worker, pending a background check, and voted to post a vacancy for a six-hour part-time cafeteria worker.
CEO FUNDING
In other action, the board accepted Owsley’s recommendation to make a $3,000 investment in the county’s Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunitites (CEO) program, payable in three $1,000 annual increments. CEO board chairman Scott Reichman made the request last month during a District Focus segment.
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Class of 2025
High honor roll
Maria Alger, Madison Barrios, Quinn Beechler, Bailee Borror, Corinne Fellin, Dakotah Forsythe, Kennedy Helmkamp, En Li, Myca McKee, Haylie Otten, Owen Pau, Abigail Sharp, Ellie Wilson, Macie Wright
Honor roll
Zoey Bergen, Mia Brawner, Adian Brennan, Ian Brennan, Abby Carter, Alexander Clark, Gabriel Clotfelter, Reanna Compton, Landen Emelander, Logan Griffith, John Halteman, Eva Hedden, Landon Higginbotham, Jack Kaylor, Haeden Kellebrew, Austin Klose, Felecia Lambert, Emma Luckshis, Traegen Madeline, Ashley Markulakis, Madilyn Martin, Rueben McMillin, Mason Miller, Keegan Moles, Peyton Montes, Joseph Morgan, Elissa Plasters-Cline, Braden Rauzi, Logan Rhodes, Franklin Rolando, Rylan Schuette, Andrew Sellers, Caleb Siar, Gryffin Smith, Colin Snyder, Kaitlyn Spencer, Jayden Stangle, Emma Stinnett, Tyler Swank, Delaney Taylor, Vincent Tesio, Jack Voyles, Logan Wentler, Curtis Whitworth, Avery Young
Class of 2026
High honor roll
Ceanna Bearden, Emily Bergen, Addison Cox, Jackson Crook, Hank Fletcher, Marshall Garwood, Katherine Gerdes, Sofia Hedrick, Kayden Koelker, Tyler Palmer, Ava Parish, Kori Petersen, Zachary Phillips, Ava Rakers, Sean Roach, Lucas Rosenthal, Luke Schuckenbrock, Ava Segarra, Brody Shaw, Sadie Sholtis, Carter Sies, Hailey Young
Honor roll
Anthony Amoroso, Jacob Baglin, Edin Compton, Jackson Cooper, Carson Cooper, Andrew Crossman, Brookelyn Crotchett, Brayden Enslow, Joseph Feldman, James Girdner, Collin Griffith, Madyson Grogg, Carson Hailstone, Hunter Hegel, Jersey Helvey, Beverly Hupp, Roadie Jackson, Keegan Jett, Lillianna Jones, Cedrick Krieder, Dawson Lancaster, Sophia Lewis, Kayley Maykopet, Mylee Mckee, Dawson Morgan, Douglas Neverdowski, David Norville, Chaz Oberkfell, Lukas Parish, Makayla Price, Joseph Reid, Paxton Reid, Brock Sherman, Sierra Steelman, Nevaeh Thomas, Kaia Vickery, Owen Voyles, Whelen Walker, Claire Wallace
Class of 2027
High honor roll
Cole Katich
Honor roll
Zowe Badolato, Jaxon Ballinger, Logan Belcher, Clayton Bethard, Sloane Brawner, Wrigley Bruhn, Jack Bulla, Bryce Carter, Mitchell Clark, Lillian Conner, Riley Cox, Olivia Crumley, Jacob Daponte, Briley Flournoy, Emily Helvey, Margaret Heyen, Marli Johnson, Lucca Kapp, Olivia Kelly, Tripp Kessinger, Zaden King, Isaac Kravanya, Tember Miller, Braxten Noll, Adam Peterson, Aiden Pinkston, Matthew Plovich, Fleshman Ranger, Cash Reynolds, Karlee Rhodes, Lasica Robbins, Cheyenne Sarti, Alex Schoen, Laci Schuckenbrock, Emilia Segarra, Carter Segrest, Jasmine Smith, Cali Stagner, Emerson Striegel, Payten Taylor, Amari Vickery, Aedan Watson, Macie Williams, Maxwell Young
Class of 2028
High honor roll
Cali Barkley, Lyla Drewel, Madison Durston, Carter Young
Honor roll
Bryce Alpi, Gracelynn Balestri, Dallas Barker, Alexis Brown, Scarlet Bruhn, Logan Buhs, Aleeyah Busch, Jasper Calcari, Annabelle Daniels, Tegan Davis, Tess Dixon, Kylie Edge, Lainey Edwards, Katie Hamann, Skye Harbison, Keegan Hartpence, Kullen Hartpence, Hadyn Hegel, Nolan Hostettler, Levi Hughes, Henry Knetzer, Sophie Knetzer, Cory Knotts, Isabella Long, Paige Marcum, Noah Marks, Preston Noe, Stephen Otten, Elijah Pabon, Urijah Pabon, Benjamin Pruitt, Braden Reich, Caitlynn Rhodes, Nolan Ruyle, Kendall Schweppe, Helaina Scott, Destini Smith, Gillian Smith, Aliana Snow, Xzavier Spencer, Rafe Stangle, Richetti Stewart, Bryce Stoecker, Addisyn Tallman, Madisyn Thomas, Luke Walker, Jason Wolf, Matrix Wright
