Community News
CUSD 7 School Board Meeting 3/28
A pending Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the building of the new Elementary School took center stage at the CUSD #7 School Board Meeting held Monday night in Gillespie. Presenting the PLA to the board last month, Southwestern Illinois Building Trades and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary and Treasurer Dale Stewart was on hand at the latest meeting to try to clarify some concerns the board had expressed last month concerning areas of negotiation.
When asked last month whether the board would be able to negotiate any part of the PLA, Stewart replied that the contract was non-negotiable, which raised concerns for several members of the board. He returned to Monday night’s meeting to further press his case for adopting the PLA for the upcoming $22 million dollar project.
“The concern that board has had was the fact that we asked the question in the last meeting was the contract able to be negotiated and talked about and the answer was no,” said board President Rusty Bilbruck. “That was a stumbling point for us.”
“As far as our PLA, the reason why we do our PLA the way it is, we don’t negotiate it, is because it’s a sound agreement, a positive way to do things. Because everyone we do business with says, ‘we all want the same deal” is all we’re asking is for the same deal,” explained Stewart.
Board member Bill Carter asked if, as an example, the horticulture class wanted to do some of the landscaping as a class project, would that be allowed. “We’re not asking, I don’t think anybody was ever asking, to have our shop class go and be the carpenters,” continued Carter. “Or have Mr. Goldasich go in there and have his class wire the whole school. That was not the point. But I think the point would be, going out on a limb here for cUSD 7, it would be nice if our horticulture class go out there and partake in the landscaping process, as an example. Whether or not they would do that, I don’t know, I’m not going to speak for that teacher, but we felt our hands were tied and we wouldn’t be able to do that.”
After Stewart indicated that some items, like landscaping, could be worked out, the discussion turned to passing the PLA.
“I don’t think there’s anybody at this table who doesn’t want to see as many local personnel, everybody to be local, if we could hire every person out of the hall and put them to work on this project, that would be great, that’s what we’d all love to see. They’re all local taxpayers, or in the region, anyway,” stated Board Member Dave Griffel. “An older lawyer, who I respect very much out of Carlinville…I asked him ‘What do you think about the contract?’ and his response was, ‘A contract written by that person usually tends to favor that person.’ And without proof of negotiation…you’re bringing us the contract and saying ‘No negotiation. You sign this, period.’ This is not solely your contract, you’ve come to agreements, but that concerns me.”
“This is what really confuses me with you folks. You’re really putting more into this than should be. You’re not signing it. You’re not signing the agreement,” said Stewart. “The contractors who will be working here, I’m sure, if you go to a big contractor, they’ve worked under this agreement. So it’s nothing new to them. But you’re not going to be responsible, you’re just signing a resolution to saying we’re going to enter that and you’re letting the contractors know…..They’ll like it. It’s leveling out the field for them. They know exactly what they’re all bidding against,” Stewart went on. “If there’s no PLA there, then where is the fairness and honesty going to be? ….That’s all we do, we go out and chase the fair contract, we chase contractors that don’t pay wages and benefits, people that come from out of state, out of the area. Is that what you want? We want to try to get as many people from this area working on this project.”
“We want to put everyone to work, number one thing,” Griffel responded. “My concern is, a non-negotiable contract. Here it is, sign it, or else. That’s a struggle for me.”
“I support unions, and I want local people to work,” added board member Mark Hayes, “but I have problems with what you just said, that if we sign it, we’re not responsible. We’re taxpayers in this community, we were elected by the taxpayers, so we are responsible.”
“What I was meaning, Mark, was these people have worked under it, they know what’s in that agreement,” said Stewart. “Because, you know what, there’s nothing in that agreement that could cause trouble. All that’s in my agreement spells out this wages…with the wages already there…You’re not going to have any strikes on this job, everything’s going to go and get done, and there’s not going to be any hold up. You would think that’s what you would want, the best bang for your buck, as stewards for this money, you would want that protection, to make sure you get this job done, and done on time.”
After more discussion, Hayes indicated that consulting an attorney would be the best course. “I think that would be fair,” said Griffel. “I mean, this is a document that you’ve had several lawyers look at, several lawyers negotiate, then for us to sign it without having legal representation would be….I think we need to have it reviewed for our purposes.”
“There’s nothing than CDB (Capital Development Board) what you’re getting your money from,” countered Stewart. “If the CDB was overseeing this, there would be a PLA on this, on this project, and it’s the same one through the whole state of Illinois. They don’t negotiate every area they go to. It’s one agreement for the whole state. Check with the CDB, they’ll tell you. That’s where you’re getting your money from, ask them. And it’s just like the other PLAs they have for the state highway work, which you’re involved with, Mark [Hayes]. It’s one agreement, I don’t care if you’re in Cairo or Chicago. It’s the same agreement. The reason why is, that way everybody is dealing on the same page….We have a standardized agreement.”
“We’re as comfortable with having as many local people as possible work. I can’t say that enough, that we want local unions do the job,” said Griffel. “Our concern is signing a contract that’s been reviewed by several lawyers that our lawyers haven’t reviewed, affecting the largest building project in the history of our district. I think we’d be fools to sign it tonight, and endorse it tonight, without any legal counsel look at it. He may very well say, there’s no worries, do this, but without that blessing, I struggle, that we’re doing something that affects that project. I’m just not comfortable doing it without that. I wouldn’t do it in my own personal business without having a lawyer look at it.”
In the end, the board instructed Supt. Skeans to take the PLA to a labor attorney for review to determine that the contract would not hurt the district, and he also indicated that he would contact to the CDB as well. The board also confirmed that they would resolve the PLA issue at the April 18 board meeting, before any bids for grouting work would be awarded.
Also on hand was school board candidate Peyton Bernot, who addressed the board concerning several district consolidation measures currently before the state legislature. Although he did not express a position on the issue himself, Bernot was interested where the board stood on consolidating with nearby districts. Board member Dave Griffel stated the board had not taken a formal position, either in support of or against such a measure. “Personally,” Griffel went on to say, “I have a problem with anything top-down. I think if anything should be done it should be from the bottom up [districts taking action on their own as opposed to state-mandated action]….Eventually it will probably have to come, it has throughout the years, but I don’t necessarily welcome it. There’s other options, as I’ve stated before, but as a board we’ve taken no formal stance on that.” The board went on to decline to formalize a position.
During the Superintendent’s Report, Supt. Paul Skeans took the opportunity to address public concerns over the possibility of adding an Assistant Superintendent position, a process set to be formally addressed after July 1. Under the plan, current High School Principal Joe Tieman would become Assistant Superintendent, current Dean of Students Dennis Tiburzi would become High School Principal, and current Middle School Language Arts teacher Mike Bertagnolli would become Dean of Students. Skeans stressed the shifting of positions would not increase administrator’s salaries. Salaries for Tieman and Bertagnolli would not increase, while Tiburzi’s salary would only reflect additional months of work not required by his current position. In fact, the only increase in spending would be the hiring of a new Middle School Language Arts teacher, but only if the district could not adjust a currently-employed teacher’s schedule to cover the class.
He went on to explain that due to the collective bargaining agreement in place with the educator’s union, positions must be posted internally first. If, and only if, no acceptable candidate is found internally can the district post the position to external candidates. Skeans expressed his opinion that those candidates chosen were some of the best he had worked with and he was confident that they were the best candidates in southern Illinois. Skeans went on to clarify that he would still be carrying out all his current duties as Superintendent, as well as acting as a mentor to Tieman and as Owner’s Representative for the construction of the new elementary school. Tieman’s focus as Assistant Superintendent would include curriculum and student services, duties Skeans considers “sorely needed.”
A member of the public attending the meeting expressed concern that some administrator’s salaries would begin to be drawn from the Building Fund. Skeans explained that had yet to be determined, but even if the board did decide to do that, there would be no net loss of money, as that money spent from the Building Fund would be preserved in the Education Fund. He went on to say that if the construction and outfitting of the new school would be hurt by that action, he would oppose it, but at this time, the building budget had not been set for the new school’s construction. If possible, the district plans to use the Capital Building fund to pay the salary of the Owner’s Representative, but again, no budget had been formally set for the school’s construction.
As part of the new school’s construction, Skeans announced the drilling of the last six bore holes to be complete. Investigators determined the mines beneath the site of the new school to be 372 feet deep and dry, which the proper stabilizers in place. The old hand-drawn maps proved to be mostly accurate, only off by no more than 10 feet in some places. Certain areas will need to be grouted, but crosshole radar work is slated to be completed by Friday, April 1. The results must then be analyzed, a process that could take four to six weeks. At that point, architects will be able to determine the final footprint of the school that will minimize areas of the mine that will need to be grouted, which is an expensive process.
Supt. Skeans also went on to advise the board and the attending public that after consulting with County Clerk Pete Duncan, the board will not learn the official results of the upcoming school board elections until after Tuesday, April 19 in order to ensure that all absentee ballots have been received and counted. The deadline to finish canvassing and certify the results is Tuesday, April 26. Due to spring break, the board will move up their April meeting to Monday, April 18. As a result, the board will either have to wait until the regularly scheduled May meeting to recertify and reorganize the board, but may be forced to convene a special meeting earlier. Skeans informed the board that as of Monday night’s meeting, he did not know if that meeting would be necessary but would inform the board as soon as that information was available.
In addition, Supt. Skeans informed the board Mark Tebbe had confirmed a donation of approximately $13,000 to The Partnership for Educational Excellence to be used to create an IPad mobile lab at the Elementary School. According to Skeans, the lab would be used to enrich students’ education and provide teaching resources for staff. As part of the agreement for the donation, the school will match funds up to $5,000 to hold an inservice for staff to learn how to use the equipment. Skeans went on to explain he would write a formal letter of thanks to Tebbe for the donation, on behalf of the school district and the board.
During his Principal’s Report, High School Principal Joe Tieman asked the board to consider investigating creating a 30-minute 8th period by shaving four minutes from the other periods and one minute from pass times. This 8th period, which would not extend the school day, would be used to give targeted, intensive tutoring to struggling students. All teachers would be available to tutor students in math, english, and other areas. Sophomore, junior and senior students with a strong grade point average would be able to leave early if they chose, or high-achieving students who carry a full classload could use the time to do homework or study. All freshmen would be required to attend and would not be allowed an early dismissal. The time could be used to address several areas of concern, explained Tieman. For example, the High School has a “huge issue” with students completing homework assignments, said Tieman, going on to explain that once students leave the school, they have no control over the students and their work. In addition, students recovering from extended absences due to illness or other concerns will be able to use the time to catch up on schoolwork and make up exams.
Tieman stressed that he was not asking the board to approve the change, but to allow for the possibility and allow him and his staff to explore the idea further and begin hammering out details and procedures. The Hillsboro and Morrisonville school districts currently have similar programs in place, according to Tieman.
In addition, Tieman highlighted several academic and extracurricular achievements made by GHS students over the last month. These include: a 2nd place finish for the Scholastic Bown at their regional tournament; WYSE students Dallas DeMartini’s 2nd place finish in Math and 3rd in Chemistry while Connor Whitley finished in 2nd in English, qualifying them both for state competition; Makenzie Buckner was named Illinois Principal Association Student of the Year; Brianna Bednar was named winner of the Sons of the American Revolution Outstanding Citizen Award; Future Farmers of America saw six students place at a public speaking competition, including Junior Varsity members Kyle Reid (2nd), Erinn Karlak (2nd), Shelby Heyen (3rd) and Stephanie Hartke (5th) and Varsity seniors Jonathan Griffel (2nd) and Scott Schardan (2nd); three sold out performances out of four of “Guys And Dolls” by the GHS Chorus; three students, Samantha Wasylenko, Loni Manalia, and Jonathan Griffel, named All-Conference Basketball, and 20 students whose artwork is currently on display at the Coffee Xpress cafe in Litchfield.
During her Principal’s Report, Elementary Principal Angela Turcol informed the board the staff would be welcoming Nancy Stewart, author of “One Pelican at a Time” which educates children about the recent Gulf oil spill. In addition to reading the book for the Kindergarten and 1st Grade students, she will also conducting activities for the remaining elementary school students, including a Powerpoint presentation for 4th and 5th Grade students. Turcol went on to announce the Elementary School teachers would be reading “What Great Teachers Do Differently” by Todd Whitaker and would host a book study during their next monthly staff meeting.
In other action, the board voted to rehire the following tenured High School teachers for the 2011-2012 school year: Holley McFarland, High School Physical Education and Health; Mary Kirk, Secondary Campus Media Specialist; Rick Spencer, Welding and Agriculture; Beth Zehr, Business and Computers; Jack Burns, Social Studies and Drafting; Trudy Giaudrone, English; Dennis Tiburzi, Dean of Students; Margaret Fisher, English; Robert Macias, Physical Education and Driver Education; Casey Sholtis, Social Studies; Jennifer Brown, Social Studies and Driver Education; Jeff Nehls, Science; Connie Whitehead, Mathematics and Science; Mark Goldasich, Construction Trades; Mike Sauerhage, Band; Jerry Rosentreter, Art and Communications; Troy Barker, Mathematics and English; Joni Paine, Guidance Counselor; and Michelle Smith, Science.
Also rehired for the 2011-12 school year and given tenure in the High School were: Nicole Stoecker, English; Angela Brink, Secondary Vocal Music; Kadie Benz, High School Mathematics; and Katie Dierkes, Spanish.
Rehired for High School 2011-12 positions were: Don Borgini, Physical Education; Amy Goldasich, English; Kelly Bulla, Resource; and Andy Easton, High School and Middle School Business and Computers.
In the Middle School, the board voted to rehire the following tenured staff for 2011-12: Deb Olsen, 6th grade Science; Casey Willmann, 6th grade Language Arts; Karen White, 6th grade Math; Jarrod Herron, 6th grade Social Studies; Kyle Lamore, 7th grade Science; Stephanie Wilson, 7th grade Language Arts; Mike Bertagnolli, 7th grade Social Studies; Jill Rosentreter, 8th grade Science; Matt Brawner, 8th grade Math; Kim Henderson, 8th grade Social Studies; Jeremy Smith, 8th grade Social Studies; Mike Blotna, Physical Education; and Stephanie Bray, Physical Education.
Also rehired for 2011-12 Middle School positions were: Tammy Garde, Special Education Resource; and Daniel Edgerton, 7th grade Math.
In the Elementary School, the board voted to rehire the following tenured staff for 2011-12: Don Throne, Guidance Counselor; Barb Schmid, 1st Grade; Susan Tiburzi, 1st Grade Title I; Gail Niehaus, Pre-Kindergarten; Gayla Crites, 4th Grade; Kellie Vesper, 2nd Grade; Tracy Petersen, 3rd Grade; Lorraine Strutner, 3rd Grade Title I; Kimberly Link, 2nd Grade Title I; Sharon Schwab, 5th Grade; Jody Dunn, 2nd Grade; Gail McGowan, Special Education; Leanna Sawyer, Music; Melissa Bussmann, 4th Grade; Trasy Hostettler, Kindergarten; Darrick Orban, 3rd Grade; Dana Tieman, Kindergarten Title I; Sharon Wernle, 4th Grade; Lana Odorizzi, Physical Education; Beth Rull, 2nd Grade; Carrie Scott-Palmer, 1st Grade; Kara Saracco, Special Education; Kelly Lyons, 3rd Grade; John Wiemers, Physcial Education; Holly Nejmanowski, Kindergarten; Jennifer Parker, 5th Grade; Anastasia Henderson, 1st Grade; Cate Plovich, 3rd Grade; Amy Price, 1st Grade; Nickie Barrett, 2nd Grade; Jessi Luketich, 1st Grade; Mindy Savant, 2nd Grade; Casey Niehaus, Kindergarten; Karissa Smith, 5th Grade; and Donna Easton, School Nurse.
Also rehired for the 2011-12 school year and given tenure in the Elementary School were: Beth Sies, Speech Language Pathology; and Valerie Barrett, 4th Grade.
Also rehired for the 2011-12 Elementary School Positions were: Marci Johns, 5th Grade; Colleen Favre, 3rd Grade; Celia Jubelt, Kindergarten; Jami Verton, Kindergarten.
The board also accepted the following resignations, effective at the end of the 2011 fiscal year: Nicole Stoecker as High School Student Council Sponsor, Jeremy Smith as Assistant High School Football Coach, Holley McFarland as Assistant High School Volleyball Coach, Adam Schulte as High School Volunteer Assistant Soccer Coach. In addition, the board voted to appoint Joe Kelly as the new High School Volunteer Assistant Soccer Coach, with board member Jenny Alepra voting “present”.
The board also rehired High School coaching staff for the 2011-12 school year, including Girls’ Basketball Head Coach Kevin Gray and Assistant Coach Andy Easton; Boys’ Basketball Head Coach Terry Allan, Assistant Coach Casey Sholtis, and Freshman Coach Dennis Tiburzi; and Cheerleading Head Coach Melissa Bussmann and Volunteer Coach Tabitha Miller.
In addition, the board voted to approve maternity leave for two teachers: Nicole Stoecker from May 9 to 25, and Beth Sies from April 26 to May 25.
The board also voted to “honorably dismiss” the following school aides: Nicole Zenner from the Pre-Kindergarten; Amy Baker, Theresa Carter, Sharon Heyen, and Misty Parker from the Elementary School; Trinity Bray-Jett, and Tim Wargo from the Middle School; and Ella May Roemer and Kathy Wheeler from the High School. At the close of each school year, the board must release any aides. The aides are generally rehired at the beginning of the new school year, depending on available funding.
In other business, the board voted to:
recognize the full state recognition of all three attendance centers, citing no areas for improvement, continuing a trend of the last several years.
set the next school board meeting a week early, for Tuesday, April 18, to accommodate spring break.
approve the Transportation Safety Check report and send it to the state.
Comments
Representatives of a food management company pitched their vision for reshaping school lunch and breakfast offerings at Community Unit School District 7 schools during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education. Later, however, the head cook at BenGil Elementary School expressed doubts about what the company promised to deliver. “They make it sound like it’s all a gravy train,” said Jackie McKinney. “It’s not.”
No action followed a 20-minute presentation by Bill Fritcher, Business Development Associate, and Angie Eden, a food service worker, from Opaa! Food Management, Inc., Chesterfield, Mo. There was no clear indication whether the board or district administration is leaning toward contracting with the company.
Founded in 1978, Opaa! Provides food management services to more than 800 schools in 250 school districts spread out over seven states. The company serves 21 schools in Illinois, including the nearby Staunton, Litchfield, Jersey and Nokomis school districts. The company claims a 97 percent retention rate among its client schools.
Fritcher, a former administrator in the Neoga school district, said the company emphasizes home-cooked foods made from scratch. Opaa! provides both hot and cold entrees, and schools can tailor offerings to meet their needs and budgets. Hot entrees include items such as roast turkey, meatloaf, cheeseburgers, pizzas and spaghetti. The company also serves a variety of cold sub sandwiches. Again, depending upon the details of its contract with a school district, the company can provide a salad bar, along with fresh fruit.
Breakfast offerings can include hot or cold cereal, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast burritos. Some client schools offer a “breakfast on the go” option where students can grab a breakfast item during the mid-morning hours of the school day. As part of its service, Opaa! would provide an all-day “Gulp Station” with dispensers of lemonade, iced tea and water.
“There’s a lot of local control over menu items,” Fritcher said. “If a school doesn’t want us serving coffee to students, we don’t serve coffee.”
Fritcher said the school district would continue to set pricing for school lunches and breakfasts, collect payments and control the revenue stream. The district also would continue to own food service equipment and facilities. At a minimum, Opaa! would place it’s own employee as a food service manager, but other food service workers can be either Opaa! employees or employees of the school district. In either case, the school district would have final say over who is allowed to work in the school district.
“You’d have control of who is working in the school and is around your kids,” Fritcher said.
According to Fritcher, the company emphasizes presentation.
“We want the food to look good so kids will eat it,” he said. “We strive to make it enjoyable for the kids.”
Client schools submit photos of daily offerings to the home office for approval, Eden said. As an example, she cited an instance when she submitted a photo from Neoga that included broccoli as a side item. The home office said the broccoli looked too brown and demanded it be replaced with fresher produce.
Fritcher said the company employees an executive chef to create recipes and standards for food served to students. The chef has created a number of streaming videos used to train on site staff.
Key to the operation is a computer program for food management. Eden said the program monitors what food the district has in the freezer and pantry, and adjust menus to best utilize resources on hand. The program also provides a portal parents and students can access to see weekly menus.
A food management contract would be subject to state bidding requirements, according to Fritcher. To start the process, the district would create a Request for Proposals to solicit bids. If Opaa! Is the successful bidder, the company would offer a five-year fixed price agreement, renewable on an annual basis. Either party would be able to end the contract upon a 90-day notice.
During a public comment period, McKinney alleged Opaa!’s promises have not matched reality in nearby school districts. The head cook at Litchfield, she pointed out, quit soon after Opaa! took over. Pizzas and some other food items, she said, do not match the company’s claims.
“We were told this is not about the money, it’s about the choices,” she said. “If you want more options, someone needs to tell us.”
McKinney said she has been employed by the district in food services since 2002. The proposal to hire an outside food management company, she said, comes as “a slap in the face.”
McKinney predicted problems if the district contracts with Opaa!, particularly in the elementary school.
“I don’t see how our kindergarteners are going to be able to carry their own tray and serve themselves,” she said. “They’re going to drop their trays. We get our kids through the serving line in five minutes so they have time to sit down and eat. When they have to make their own tray, how long do you think that’s going to take?”
McKinney also predicted issues with food sanitation when young children with runny noses and/or dirty hands are expected to serve themselves from the food line.
McKinney said an outside company cannot be expected to know local students like local food service workers know them.
“I watch for a little boy who comes through my line every day because I know he doesn’t get food at home like he does here,” she said. “We’re here for the kids and I don’t think these people are.”
In a somewhat related matter which could facilitate transitioning to an outside food service, the board accepted with “regret” the retirements of head high school/middle school cook Penny Feeley and GHS/GMS cook Janice Hammann, both effective on June 30.
PERSONNEL
The board took action on a number of personnel issues following an executive session of about one hour.
In separate actions, the board voted unanimously to rehire the following fourth-year teachers and grant them tenure for the 2024-25 school year: Nikki Jenner, Katie Lievers, Alex Newton, Pete Visintin and Jacob West.
The following non-tenured staff were hired for the 2024-25 school year: school nurse Rachel Bouillon, fifth grade teacher Radeana Gentzyel, speech pathologist Kaylee Collins, special education teacher Jaiden Braundmeier, kindergarten teacher Jessica Yeager, fist grade teacher Sydney Owsley, band teacher Brad Taulbee, chorus teacher Ben McCullough, Tim Biggs, special education teacher Cory Bonstead, and Dalton Barnes.
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Mark Hayes, the board rehired the following tenured teachers for 2024-25: Lorraine Strutner, Jody Dunn, Melissa Bussmann, Tracy Hostettler, Darrick Urban, Kara Saracco, Kelly Lyons, Holly Nejmanowski, Jennifer Parker, Anastasia Hobaugh, Cate Plovich, Amy Price, Nickie Barrett, Jessi Luketich, Mindy Savant, Karissa Smith, Beth Sees, Valerie Jubelt, Carrie Scott, Dana Tieman, Marcia Johns, Colleen Favre, Celia Jubelt, Jamie Schmidt, Nancy Schmidt, Lori Emmons, Vanessa Barrett, Amy Geddes, Lisa Ballinger, Amber Allan, Kim Henderson, Christina Blevins, Chase Peterson, Jessica Kelly, Tammy Garde, Nate Heinrich’s, Casey Edgerton, Kyle Lamar, Stephanie Wilson, Elizabeth Thackery, Shanna Conner, Matthew Browner, Jeremy Smith, Rachelle Prough, Jarrod Herron, Jill Stole, Korben Clark, Kayla Wills, Nikki Browner, Kevin McNichols, Katie Orange, Robert Macias, Casey Sholtis, Jennifer Brown, Jeff Nelhs, Mark Goldasich, Troy Barker, Michelle Smith, Holley McFarland, Michael Bertagnolli, Mary Schuette, Nichole Stoecker, Amy Goldasich, David Edgerton, Ashlee Gibbs, Stuart Ringer, Kelly Bully, Whitney Page and Stephanie Bray.
The board accepted “with regret” the retirement of BenGil Elementary teacher Dana Tieman, effective at the end of the 2027-28 school year. The board also accepted “with regret” the resignation for purposes of retirement of GMS paraprofessional Ella May Roemer, effective at the end of the 2024 fiscal year, and posted the position as vacant.
Board members accepted the resignation of high school paraprofessional Darian Gill, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted Gill’s resignation at the GHS/GMS cheerleading coach and posted that position as vacant.
Board members unanimously agreed to post vacancies for the following summer school positions: high school math, English and drivers’ education; middle school math, English and science; and six elementary positions. Additionally, the board posted two summer school food service positions.
The board accepted “with regret” the resignation of long-time GHS head women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted the resignation of Korbin Clark as GMS seventh-grade basketball coach and posted the position as vacant.
The board voted unanimously to appoint Elizabeth Eaker as a volunteer assistant dance coach, pending verification of certification and a background check. In separate actions, the board agreed to appoint Foley Seferi and James Bryant a volunteer assistant high school football coaches, pending verification of certification and a background check.
By a unanimous vote, the board accepted the resignation of district custodian Owen Parker, and posted the position as vacant. The board also voted to post vacancies for two full-route bus drivers for the 2024-25 school year, and hired Billie Bowles as a substitute bus driver, pending verification of certification and a background check.
REPAVING
The board awarded a $62,524 contract to DeLaurent Construction Co., Inc., Wilsonville, to repave five district parking lots. DeLaurent was the low bidder for the project. The contract will be paid from proceeds of a $1.6 million alternate revenue bond sale for capital projects.
Supt. Shane Owsley reported that he is starting to gather estimates for other upcoming projects to be underwritten with bond revenue, including a project to refinish the high school gym floor, a project to reline the all-weather track and a major HVAC project.
SURPLUS WEIGHT ROOM EQUIPMENT
On Owsley’s recommendation, the board accepted a list of surplus weight room equipment and agreed to offer the equipment for sale via sealed bids. The equipment, which includes stationary bikes, running machines, free weights, benches, dumbbells and racks, was replaced with new equipment as part of a recently completed project to renovate and re-equip the weight room.
EARLY GRADUATION REQUESTS
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board unanimously approved early graduation requests for Maria Alger, Eliana Barrios-Madison, Owen Baugh, Gage Bonds, Abby Carter, John Q. Halterman, Eva Hidden, Felicia Lambert, Emma Luckshis, Ashley Markulakis, McKenna Montoro, Kaden Reiffer, Abigail Sharp, Jayden Stangle, Cooper Wentler, Ashton Whitlow and Avery Young. The students will be allowed to graduate at the end of their eleventh year of high school at the end of the current school year, provided all graduation requirements have been met.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, the board recognized high school women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, who is retiring after a career of 16 seasons. High School Principal Jill Rosentreter noted that Gray led this year’s team to the Sectional Tournament in Beardstown after winning their first regional championship since 2012. The team also won its first County Tournament since 2002, and celebrated 26 wins—the most ever.
During the Carlinville Rotary’s All-Star Game, Gray was named Rotary’s Coach of the Year.
“On behalf of CUSD 7 and all you former players, we express much gratitude for your many years of service, dedication, leadership, wisdom and professional demeanor on and off the court,” Rosentreter told Gray.
Also during the District Focus, a group of fifth graders told the board about their recent field trip to Busch Stadium, where they learned about practical math applications and other subjects.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Gave final approval to the 2024-25 school calendar, calling for the first day of school attendance on Aug. 14 with the last day of school set for May 29, or earlier if no emergency days are used.
- Approved a schedule of board meeting dates for the coming year. The board will meet in executive session at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month with the open session beginning at 7 p.m. The December meeting is set one week earlier on Dec. 16 to avoid conflict with the winter break.
- Awarded the annual bid to supply fuel to low bidder M & M Service Co., Carlinville.
- Voted to renew the district’s annual membership in the Illinois High School Association.
- Rescheduled the April board meeting from Monday, April 22, to Tuesday, April 23, to avoid a conflict.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to child abuse.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was out in the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a security check.
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of LJ Avenue in reference to a domestic battery. Regan M. Treadway, 22, of Hillsboro was arrested for domestic battery.
Gillespie Police Department assisted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department with a criminal investigation.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Burton Street in reference to an ordinance issue of illegal burning. Charles H. Daubman, 62, of Gillespie was issued a citation for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer during normal patrol in the 100 block of South 7th Street in Benld noticed a trunk open on a vehicle. The officer made contact with the owners and they secured the trunk after checking it.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to illegal dumping.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Hickory in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 2nd Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Easton Street in reference to a civil standby.
The School Resource Officer called in requesting assistance in reference to a female student that had left the school.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 by the nursing home to check on a person on a bike with no lights.
An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Route 138 in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to an animal complaint.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Benld. Logan G. Lawson, 22, of Roodhouse was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 200 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare. David E. Schmidt, 46, of Staunton was issued citations for speeding, expired registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Spruce Street in reference to illegal parking.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Jersey Street in reference to an open line 911 call.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Candace N. Carlen, 36, of New Douglas was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 200 block of West Oak Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to West Dorsey Street and South Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to a medical assist.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Esha V. Bhatt, 30, of Edwardsville was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Nicole L Richey, 34, of Wilsonville was issued a citation for speeding and expired registration.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of 9th Street in Benld in reference to a suicidal subject
An officer was out with a suspicious person at Main Street and Spruce Street in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Elm Street. Walter L. Vester, 29, of Gillespie was arrested on a Glenn Carbon warrant for larceny.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Jordan L. Jett, 23, of Hillsboro was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to aggravated assault. Levi T. Kroll, 34, of Carlinville was arrested for aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, and operation of a vehicle with suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a theft.
An officer was dispatched to LJ Avenue where multiple vehicles were parked in a no-parking zone. After multiple announcements asking them to move, two vehicles remained and received citations. Jeromy J Moore, 47, of Greenfield and Matthew E. Raffety, 52, of Bunker Hill were issued citations for parking in a no-parking zone.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a domestic battery. Mitchela P. Zbornak, 34, of Gillespie was arrested for domestic battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Oak Street in reference to an ordinance issue for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Oak Street in reference to a possible burglary.
The School Resource Officer called in reckless driving in the high school parking lot.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to retail theft and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Illinois Street and Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a loud vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to a suspicious person.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a 911 hang-up call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Oak for a 911 untraceable call the officers checked the area and were unable to find an emergency.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to down wires at Dorsey Road and 1st Street in Mt. Clare. Ameren was contacted to remove the wiring.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Community News
Denby wins judicial nomination in three-way race; Trump, Biden top choices for Macoupin voters
Carlinville attorney Thomas Denby easily sailed to victory in a three-way race to be nominated as the Republican candidate for Resident Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Judge in Macoupin County in Tuesday’s Primary Election balloting.
Denby captured 63.26 percent of the Republican vote, easily besting Jonathan Verticchio’s 23.46 percent and Aaron Bellm’s 13.28 percent. In terms of raw vote numbers, Denby landed 2,534 votes to Verticchio’s 940 votes and Bellm’s 532 votes.
There were no judicial candidates for the race on the Democrat side of the ballot.
As a result of Tuesday’s election, Denby is likely to step into the office being vacated Resident Circuit Judge Kenneth Deihl, who was first elected as a Democrat in 2006, when he narrowly defeated Republican nominee Kevin Polo. It’s unclear whether or not the Democrat Central Committee can legally name a candidate to run against Denby in the General Election this fall, meaning Denby is the likely successor to Deihl.
There were no surprises locally in the Presidential races. Macoupin Democrats favored incumbent Joe Biden with 89.62 percent of the vote, while Republicans cast 83.39 percent of their votes for former President Donald Trump.
Although no longer a candidate, Nikki Haley gained 12.18 percent of the Republican vote. Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Ryan Brinkley each took less than three percent of the Republican vote. On the Democrat side, Biden’s support was eroded by 10.28 percent of the vote shared by Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson and Frank Lozada.
A total of 5,741 voters cast votes in the Macoupin Primary, representing 18.67 percent of the county’s 30,757 registered voters. That could indicate a softening of interest in the Biden/Trump rematch. In 2016, when Trump and Hilary Clinton were nominated, a stunning 45.82 percent of Macoupin’s voters cast ballots in the primary election. Four years later, 23.54 percent of the county’s voters participated in the primary, despite restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the Republican nomination for U.S. Congressional Representative for the 13th District, Joshua Loyd took 57.28 percent of the Macoupin vote, compared with 42.72 percent for Thomas Clatterback. The Congressional vote mirrored voting district-wide in which Loyd took the nomination with 55.9 percent of the total vote. Loyd will take on freshman Representative Nikki Budzinski on the Democrat side, who ran unopposed for the nomination.
A number of county races were unopposed. On the Democrat side, incumbent Jordan Garrison took 1,387 votes for State’s Attorney, while incumbent Coroner Anthony Kravanya took 1,471 Democrat votes. On the Republican side Amy J. Ashby took 3,448 votes to be nominated for Circuit Clerk. Ashby becomes the likely successor to Democrat Lee Ross who is stepping down.
Though not likely, both parties could name candidates to run for county offices in November. Otherwise Garrison, Kravanya and Ashby will run unopposed for the General Election. A win by Ashby would make her the second Republican constitutional officer in the Courthouse. Two years ago, County Treasurer Amber McGartland became the first Republican elected to a Courthouse office since A.C. “Julie” Bartulis served as Treasurer in the 1960s.
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