Community News
CUSD 7 School Board hears guidance counselor’s report, votes to transfer former school site to City of Benld
Kalli Erwin, Gillespie Middle School/High School counselor, told members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night that she is spending substantially more of her time dealing with social issue and less time on traditional guidance counselor activities.
Kalli Erwin, Gillespie Middle School/High School counselor, told members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night that she is spending substantially more of her time dealing with social issue and less time on traditional guidance counselor activities. Though no official action is on the horizon, the evolving nature of the counselor’s job may lead the board to someday consider hiring a full-time social worker to deal with issues ranging from the effects of dysfunctional families on student performance and well-being to students who are suicidal.
The board also voted unanimously to transfer about 10 acres of property, the former site of Benld Elementary School, to the City of Benld for development as a public park.
Erwin told the board that although her training and responsibilities are keyed primarily to career and college counseling, she is finding herself devoting more and more time to dealing with social and emotional issues that affect students’ academic performance.
[pullquote]I’m having a hard time being there for all the social and emotional situations, plus the academic and career responsibilities.[/pullquote]
“I’m having a hard time being there for all the social and emotional situations, plus the academic and career responsibilities,” she said. “Where I’m getting stuck is being responsible for all these things (career and college issues), not dropping the ball and still being there for students who have needs that really impact their academic performance. I was trained in college for solution-based counseling. I am not a therapist.”
A small pamphlet distributed to school board members provided statistics to back up Erwin’s assertion. For the current school year, there have been 14 calls to the Department of Children and Family Services regarding Gillespie Middle School and High School Students, she said. Erwin said she made seven of those calls. Other school staff made two of the referrals and Kevin McNicholas, a social worker employed by the state-funded Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SASS) agency made the other five. While McNicholas is a valuable resource, Erwin said, CUSD 7 shares his services with three other school districts.
“Some days, he sees 40 students in one day,” she said. “I don’t see how he can even do that.”
“Would your job be improved if we had a full-time or part-time social worker?” Supt. Joe Tieman asked.
“Oh, yes, significantly,” Erwin replied.
As of Jan. 10, Student Services Secretary Tina Gibson has sent out 159 letters to parents of students who are failing one or more courses. Those letters are meant to generate a meeting between parents and teachers to address issues underlying the student’s poor performance.
“There’s almost always something social or emotional going on,” Erwin said. “It’s rare that I see someone where there’s not something going on—either a divorce or some other situation or a student who is suicidal.”
So far this year, Erwin said she has dealt with 12 middle school or high school students who are considering suicide to the point of actually making plans to kill themselves. One student was researching the effectiveness of jumping off a cliff and another was looking into the efficacy of jumping off a bridge.
[pullquote]These aren’t just students who say they want to kill themselves. These are students who are actually making plans.[/pullquote]
“These aren’t just students who say they want to kill themselves. These are students who are actually making plans,” Erwin said. “We have a lot of students who say they want to kill themselves but it’s something they say out of frustration. It’s a common thing. It hurt my ears the first time I heard it but that’s the way they talk. These are not those students. These are students who are actually making plans. It’s a scary thing but the fact they feel comfortable coming to me to talk about it is huge.”
Seven students have been hospitalized this academic year for mental health issues. The counseling office has worked with Children’s Home and Aid to find safe places for four students to live this school year.
Children’s Home and Aid, Erwin said, has become a useful resource for situations where DCFS declines to intervene. The agency’s staff includes both counselors and social workers.
“DCFS won’t investigate unless someone sees a mark on a student (indicating child abuse),” Erwin said. In one instance, DCFS refused to intervene when a student reported that there was no food in the home where he was living. In another case, Erwin was able to get DCFS to investigate a case where a student reported that the father was abusing drugs in the home only because there was a previous file on the family.
Such situations necessarily erode the amount of time Erwin can devote to her primary responsibility of providing career and college counseling services.
“If we have a suicidal student, they trump everything. Someone has to be with them all the time.” she said. “Everything else comes to a halt. The student’s safety takes precedence.”
DCFS referrals, she said, can consume a half-day or more per incident.
Board member Weye Schmidt asked Erwin if she would have time to do that she’s not able to do now if the board considered hiring a social worker.
Erwin said she would be able to work more intensely with students regarding career and college prospects. For example, she said she could be more aggressive about working with groups of students to develop “interest inventories” using computers, which in turn could be used to guide their plans for a career or college.
“If my days weren’t so consumed with social and emotional issues, I would do more career things and more college things,” she said.
On a more positive note, Erwin reported growing attendance for programs such as the district’s Financial Aid Night to introduce parents and students to financial options for college, senior conferences and senior meetings.
“I’m really proud of our attendance figures,” she said. According to the information she provided to the board, attendance at this year’s senior meeting jumped from 17 last year to 122 this year. She said that was primarily a result of better communication.
Using a survey form, the office asked parents last year what could be done improve the program. Erwin said the results of the survey indicated the school needed to do a better job of informing parents when such public meetings were scheduled.
“I flood them with communication now,” she said, using avenues such a Facebook and emails in addition to more traditional media.
[pullquote]I don’t see how these two could possibly do more than what they are already doing.[/pullquote]
“I don’t see how these two could possibly do more than what they are already doing,” High School Principal Shane Owsley. “I know she sometimes feels that she ‘cheats’ the career and college kids because of the crisis work she has to do.”
BENLD PROPERTY TRANSFER
On a motion by board member Jenni Alepra, seconded by Schmidt, the board voted to convey via a special warranty deed about 10 acres of property on the south side of Benld to the City of Benld for development as a public park. The property is the location of the former Benld Elementary School that was condemned and later razed as a result of a mine subsidence event that began in March 2009. The $7.5 million facility was only seven years old, and has since been replaced with new Ben-Gil Elementary School located on property adjacent to the Gillespie High School/Middle School campus in Gillespie.
Board member Peyton Bernot, who also serves as a Benld alderman, voted “present” on the issue.
“I’m happy the board is inclined to do this,” Supt. Tieman said prior to the vote. “The city has indicated through an ordinance that it intends to develop that property as a park. I think this is the right thing to do. The City of Benld is looking to improve the property for the benefit of its citizens.”
The resolution declares that the school board has determined it to be “in the best interest of the City of Benld, wherein a substantial portion of the school district is located, to construct a city park on the site of the old Benld Elementary School.” It also declares that the transaction “will eliminate any legal exposure from a conveyance of the property which has previously been subject to substantial coal mine subsidence,” which essentially means the school district is offering no warranty regarding the condition of the property.
The Benld Council voted 4-1 on Dec. 19, 2017, to pursue acquisition of the property for development as a park. Ald. Jim Tilashalski voted against the measure. Bernot did not attend the December meeting.
Typically, surplus properties are offered for sale to the highest bidder. A provision in the Illinois State Statutes, however, authorizes taxing bodies to transfer surplus property to another taxing body without offering the property for sale.
SALES TAX COMMITMENT
The board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution committing 20 percent of projected Macoupin County School Facilities Sale Tax revenue to debt service on general obligation bonds issued for construction of the Ben-Gil Elementary School, and reducing the bond and interest levy for 2017 property taxes collected in 2018 by an equal amount. The action validates a resolution adopted by the board in November last year committing 20 percent of the sale tax revenue received by the district to reducing the district bonded indebtedness for the new elementary school.
Supt. Tieman told the board that he is comfortable projecting annual revenue from the sales tax issue at $360,000, meaning that district will commit $72,000 of the total revenue debt service. In addition, the resolution obligates the district to reduce its bond and interest property tax levy by an equal amount.
“Once this resolution is passed,” Tieman told the board before the vote, “I’ll turn right around and take it to Mr. (Pete) Duncan (Macoupin County Clerk) and say, ‘We want to levy $72,000 less’.”
The board approved a $3.1 million property tax levy in last month, including a $914,988 levy for debt service. As a result of Monday night’s action, the levy for debt service will be reduced to $842,988 and the total levy will drop to $3,070,670.
PERSONNEL
Board members were in executive session to discuss the Benld Elementary School property transfer to the city of Benld and personnel issues, including the board’s annual evaluation of the district superintendent’s job performance. Upon entering into open session, the board voted unanimously, on a motion by Bernot, seconded by Bill Carter, to extend Supt. Tieman’s contract by one year. The superintendent serves under a five-year contract which can be extended by one year on an annual basis, meaning that Tieman’s contract now extends through 2023.
In other personnel action, the board:
- Accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Stefanie Frizzo and posted the vacated position.
- Hired Michelle Smith as head middle school softball coach for the 2018 season.
- Accepted the resignation of Devon Schoen as high school soccer coach and posted the position as vacant.
- Accepted the resignation of high school volleyball coach Tara Allen and posted the position as vacant.
- Accepted “with regrets” the resignation of full-route bus driver John Ulery.
- Hired Jonette Bellovich a substitute bus driver, pending verification of certification.
- Rehired fall sports coaches for the 2018-19 school year as follows: Jake Bilbruck, head high school football coach; Casey Shelties, Jack Burns and Jarrod Herron, assistant high school football coaches; Don Dobrino, Randy Redmon and Matt Brown, volunteer assistant high school football coaches; Celia Jubelt, head high school volleyball coach; Matt Caveny, assistant high school soccer coach; Jeremy Smith, middle school head baseball coach; Tim Wargo, assistant middle school baseball coach; Matt Brawner, eighth grade girls basketball coach; and Nikki Brawner, seventh grade girls basketball coach.
ISBE FINANCIAL PROFILE
Supt. Tieman reported that the latest Illinois State Board of Education financial profile for the school district lists the district as a “review” district, which is the same designation issued for the district last year. While the designation is the same, Tieman noted, the district’s financial situation improved 3.25 percent from the previous year.
“That’s based on one factor,” Tieman said. “We reduced our expenditures by $2.2 million.”
Three years ago, the ISBE listed the district as “warning,” a more dire designation.
Tieman commended the Board of Education, building principals, certificated and non-certificated staff for carrying out measures to cut spending over the past two years. “They pinch every penny,” he said.
Tieman said the school district’s financial future should be somewhat brighter if the state follows through on its commitment to school funding reform.
“We don’t know how much it will be but I’m told by the experts that the money is coming,” he said. An internal School Improvement Committee will discuss the best uses for the additional funding, he said, and will make a formal presentation to the board at a later date.
He said the prospect of more equitable school funding from the state is a critical issue for CUSD 7 because state funding comprises 70 percent of the local district’s budget.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Supt. Tieman reported to the board that work is progressing on replacing the entire Ben-Gil Elementary School gymnasium floor which was damaged by water from a water main break last year. In December, he reported to the board that the damage seemed to be limited to a 15-by-30-foot section but when workers started taking up the damaged flooring they found moisture damage that extended to the half-court.
“At that point, it became more cost effective to replace the whole floor,” he said. The district’s insurance company declared the floor a total loss.
At this time, the floor has been replaced, sanded and painted. One coat of polyurethane has been applied and three coats are needed. Workers are waiting until after 3 p.m. to apply the polyurethane to reduce odor during times when students and staff are present.
The cost of the project will run about $125,000, Tieman said. Insurance will cover all but $5,000 of the cost. Tieman said he also opted to spend an additional $2,500 to install a better moisture barrier under the flooring.
The six- to seven-week project is expected to be finished by Feb. 5.
Tieman also reported that district architect Tom Hyde is expected to meet with Middle School Principal Jill Rosentreter and middle school science teachers next week to get their input and start work on more detailed plans for the proposed new middle school science lab.
He also reported that specifications are being prepared to take bids on resurfacing the all-weather track at the high school sports complex. The cost of that project is expected to run $55,000 to $75,000.
“I can’t recommend highly enough that we take care of that now,” Tieman said. He said other school districts that have delayed resurfacing projects found that it inflated their costs by 10 to 15 percent when they did choose to undertake the project. Resurfacing in recommended every six to seven years. The track was last resurfaced eight years ago.
AUDITOR CONTRACT
On a motion by Alepra, seconded by Bernot, the board approved entering into a contract with Loy, Miller & Talley, P.C., Alton, to conduct the district’s annual audit at a cost of $8,385. The firm has conducted the school district’s audit for the past two years.
“They’ve done a great job and they’ve been a great source of financial information for me,” Tieman said.
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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.
