Community News
General Contractor bid awarded by School Board
Still two months behind schedule
Tom Hyde explains the general contractor bids.
During a regular scheduled meeting on Janaury 23, school district #7 met in a regularly scheduled board meeting to mainly award a general contractor bid for the new Ben-Gil Elementary school. Tom Hyde introduced 8 different bids that were submitted to him from contractors that are interested in the general construction of the new school. The low bid was submitted by Contrega Construction out of Edwardsville, Illinois. “[Contregra] has done numerous large projects,” Hyde explained to the board, “And are currently working on a forensic lab for the State of Illinois that is valued at $28,000,000. They were formed 15 years ago and I have already met with the president, vice-president, and project manager for this project.”
Hyde went on to say that Contegra is “ready to go” as their bid stands at $15,500,000. The average of the eight bids was $16,089,000 and were all within 8% of each other. The lowest bid was the lowest by just $200. The projected bid for this phase of the work was valued at $15,940,00, which is $440,000 less of what the board was expecting. He went on to say that he has not worked with Contegra before, but has heard “good things” from their subcontractors and even a few of their competitors. The board went on to award the general contractor bid to Contegra after a 7-0 vote.
Gerry Marino updated the board on the mine grouting project while he represents MEA. “As you know, there were difficulties in the beginning with the grouting project,” Marino started, “Recently, they have switched to a different system. When they started, they just batched the grout on site and now they getting grout from two other concrete plants in Hamel and Litchfield.” Hayward and Baker is grouting about 200 yards per day which is a significant increase. It is going very smoothly, according to Marino.
As of this week, the primary grouting has been completed and just a few spot holes are left. “I expect by the end of this week, part of the east side can be turned over the foundation workers,” Marino stated. On the west side, barrier grouting has been completed and the infilling will take until late Febraury or even early March. “The mine is consistent within 5 feet and is still dry,” Marino concluded.
Assistant Superintendent Joe Tieman updated the board on teacher evaluations. “The teacher evaluated tool is board approved as it is mandated by law,” Tieman explained, “I have granted you all with what a building supervisor must have.” Tieman went on to say that senate bill #7 is something that is currently in place and will drastically change the teacher evaluation process while changing principal evaluation process at the same time. Superintendent Skeans assigned principal evaluations for this year for all building principals which are Turcol, Emmons, and Tiburzi.
The principals meet with Tieman on a weekly basis and individually as well. The evaluations were recently completed and previewed with each principal, then handed over to Skeans. The last thing to keep in mind for senate bill #7 requires that the teachers union must meet by December 1 and vote on a series of possible proposals. “Basically it says the members from the bargaining unit and the members from the administrative team must agree to any changes that are allowable,” Tieman explained, “And that is something we are going to discuss next Monday night.”
Gerry Marino explains that the grouting will last until late Febraury or early March.
Tieman and Skeans went on to provide insight to the board about a new maintenance and transportation vehicle. The current truck, a 1979 model, used to shovel snow has 159,000 miles it and is “on its last leg.” Gary Niehaus, transportation director, is looking at a new vehicle for CUSD #7 which is included in the new five year place anyways. Niehaus was looking at 3/4 ton 4WD truck, but Skeans is considering a multi-purpose vehicle such as a skid loader that will not tear up the pavement and will be used in a multitude of ways. The skid loader could put different attachments on it such as a fork or bucket that could unload trucks or carry gravel as well as shovel snow.
In personnel actions, the board hired Catherine Barylske as a paraprofessional aide for Benld Elementary FSY 2012 and appointed Alina Fields volunteer assistant softball coach for Gillespie High School for FSY 2012 pending certification.
Principal of Benld Elementary Angela Turcol updated the school board on news in the pods. The elementary is preparing for the ISAT test and creating a work zone theme. The kids will “work” towards the test with the help of the construction crew which includes: teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, cooks, and administration. Countdowns are posted in both buildings. The scores from the ISAT are planned to be plugged in to a RTI model which will identify which students who are struggling with a particular skill, concept, or curriculum area.
In other news at the elementary level, students started the candy sale on Wednesday, January 25. The sale will run through Wednesday, February 8. Students who met their AR goal for the first semester had lunch with the principal at Dairy Queen this week. 52 students met their individual goals. The goals are set according to grade level.
Lori Emmons moved to the middle school and announced the students of the month for December which are: Mark Richardson, Will Bertetto, Mackenzie Kasarda, Jacob Goodson, and Peyton Fair. Overall in the middle school, 51% of the students made honor roll. In the classroom, time is being devoted to reading and math ISAT skills not only on homework and tests, but also during study hall in all grade levels at GMS. The RTI team also finished AIMS Web benchmark testing and in the process of determining what percentage of student has in each section of the “triangle.”
Dennis Tiburzi concluded the updates with the high school. The attendance for the month of December was 91.6% which is low for the month. He went on to say that curriculum maps are due February 3 and PSAE/ACT questions are presented in all classes for the tests in April. Tiburzi congratulated Michael Taylor for winning the Voice of Democracy contest and went on to say Taylor was nominated for an appointment with the Air Force Academy. In other news, Tiburzi said the lock in fun night was a success and parent teacher conferences are coming up in February.
Assistant Superintendent Joe Tieman explains senate bill #7 to the board.
Under sports for the high school, Tiburzi announced that the wrestling team placed third in the Mt. Olive invitational and the girls basketball team got fourth in the county tournament while the boys got sixth place. Football coach Don Borgini was chosen small school coach of the year by the Alton Telegraph while Cox and Greff were chosen to the all-area defensive team.
The board went on to approve payment of January bills as follows:
- Education Fund: $75,505.85
- Building Fund: $14,291.79
- Transportation Fund: $7,489.44
- Site & Construction Fund: $789,022.55
- Grand Total: $886,309.63
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In a decisive finish that underscored his rising dominance in Illinois Class 1A cross country, senior Chaz Oberkfell of Gillespie High School claimed the state title with a time of 14:31.10 at the IHSA State Cross Country Championships held at Detweiller Park on Saturday, November 8.
Finishing just behind Oberkfell, sophomore Evan Knobloch of Toulon (Stark County) crossed the line in 14:46.25, placing second. Rounding out the top five were senior Blake McLeese of Tuscola (14:46.45), senior Luca Bryja of Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy) with 14:48.38, and senior Elijah Teefey of Pleasant Plains at 14:49.02.
This victory marks Oberkfell’s second IHSA Class 1A state championship. He also won the state crown as a junior in 2024 with a time of 14:31.87. In his sophomore year, he finished 21st with a 15:21.43 season-best time.
Looking ahead, Oberkfell is set to compete in the New Balance NXR Midwest Regional Championships on Sunday, November 16, at the LaVerne Gibson Course in Indiana. The meet serves as a critical stepping stone toward the national championships, and Oberkfell will look to carry his state momentum into the regional stage.
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The community is invited to participate in a family-friendly, drive-thru charity event aimed at keeping local students warm this winter. The “Warm Up Our Kids” drive-thru takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Karmak Campus, located at 1 Karmak Plaza, Carlinville, IL and is sponsored by Karmak and Carlinville Area Hospital and Clinics.
Additional drop-off boxes will be available at the following locations to maximize participation and convenience:
- Sullivans in Carlinville, Gillespie, and Litchfield
- Pharmacy Plus in Girard
- Sav-Mor Pharmacy in Virden
- CAH&C Clinic sites in Gillespie, Girard, Carlinville, and Virden
- Briar Rose in Litchfield
- Brave Hazel in Carlinville
- Oh-So Cute Boutique in Virden
Drive through the event route and drop off much-needed supplies listed below. All donations will directly benefit students in the participating school districts, helping ensure every child has the warmth and essentials they need to face the winter season. Community support help bridge gaps and bring tangible, immediate relief to families in need.
Join us in spreading warmth and goodwill this December. The Ben Gil Post and community partners look forward to seeing you at the Karmak Campus drive-thru.
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A Macoupin County jury found Jeffrey D. Brown, 50, of Sawyerville guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with the shooting death of Rodney Messerly, 42, also of Sawyerville, authorities said.
The verdict was delivered a little before 6 p.m. on November 4, 2025, after a days-long trial led by Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan J. Garrison. Brown now faces a mandatory prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years with the sentence to be served at 85 percent. The sentencing will take place on January 12, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the incident unfolded on September 17, 2024, when Brown called 911 claiming Messerly had entered his home. Responding deputies found Messerly deceased on the front stoop outside the residence. Brown testified that Messerly had forced his way into the home, and he fired in self-defense inside the residence.
Surveillance video played to the jury depicted portions of the confrontation: Messerly speaking with Brown at the door outside the residence before Messerly pushes inside—off-camera for a stretch—followed by four gunshots fired from within the home. Messerly is seen falling back onto the front steps.
A video interview of Brown with Lt. Ryan Dixon of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department revealed Brown stated he took three steps back inside the residence before firing the initial shots. Forensic pathologist Dr. Nathanial Patterson testified that the first four shots would have been fatal. Approximately seven seconds pass before Brown fires a final shot from inside the residence, striking Messerly in the chest as he yells an expletive.
Garrison offered condolences to Messerly’s family, calling the incident a “horrible situation” and noting that the healing process is just beginning for those affected. He described Messerly as having been experiencing delusions at the time of the incident and emphasized that the last shot was not in self-defense, characterizing it as an act of vengeance.
Brown faces additional charges in unrelated matters: Armed Violence (Class X felony) and Production of Cannabis Plants (Class 4) in 2024CF228, and Resisting Arrest Causing Injury to an Officer in 2024CF252.
Public sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2025. Prosecutors cautioned readers that charges are not proof of guilt and that Brown is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
