Community News
Gillespie Council accepts $100,000 bid for fencing
After years of delay, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night accepted bids totaling more than $100,000 to erect fencing around the city’s water treatment plant and adjacent solar panel field. Collins and Herman Infrastructure Solutions, St. Louis, was the sole bidder for the projects.
On a motion by Ald. Wendy Rolando, the council voted unanimously to accept a bid of $69,850 to construct a chainlink fence around the water plant and a bid of $35,750 for fencing around the solar field. The company also offered a bid of $57,250 for chainlink fencing around the city’s tennis courts.
“I’d like to see us move on the solar field and the water plant,” said Ald. Landon Pettit. “The water plant should have been done years ago and we promised people we would fence the solar field.”
Before opening the bid, Pettit reported he had been contacted by a couple of other contractors who had missed the deadline. City Treasurer Dan Fisher said the project could be rebid to accommodate additional bidders. In the meantime, he said, the city had the option of rejecting bids if the bid in hand was too high. Council members expressed some surprise at the size of the bids, but Fisher pointed out that the engineer’s estimate for the solar field project was $40,000, meaning the Collins and Herman bid came in below the estimate.
“Do we have that kind of money in the Water Department?” Pettit asked.
Fisher said he didn’t have a copy of the appropriation ordinance with him so he could not confirm what the Water Department had appropriated for capital improvements. He recommended accepting the bid “and we’ll figure out the finances later.”
The council agreed that both expenditures were necessary despite the amount of money involved. Ald. Bob Fritz said the water plant needed to be fenced not only for security but also public safety because of open wells on the property. “We get after people to fence their pools in town,” he said, indicating the wells pose a similar hazard.
“We promised (to fence the solar field) and most solar fields do have fences around them,” Fisher said
The council took no action regarding the tennis court bid. Pettit said the City Property Committee asked for the bid primarily because it was a requirement for a grant application.
MINERS PACKAGE LIQUOR LICENSE
The council took no action on a preliminary request for a package liquor license from the owner of Miners Restaurant. Mayor John Hicks said the owner had contacted him to say “he wants to get out of the restaurant because the price of food and keeping help.” Hicks said the owner wants to keep his electronic gaming license and open a package liquor/smoke shop in the restaurant location.
Hicks indicated he is not in favor of the proposal, adding the city already has a package liquor operation. He said he’d rather explore options the city has at its disposal to keep the restaurant open.
“We already have one package liquor store,” said Ald. Rolando, “plus all the convenience stores have package liquor.”
“When you drive down Macoupin Street, it seems like all you see now are the big flags for gaming,” Ald. Pettit added.
“I’ll talk to him and see what we can do to help him keep the restaurant,” Hicks said. “I’d rather do that.”
FOOD TRUCK ORDINANCE
Council members voted unanimously to approve a new ordinance governing the operation of food trucks in the city but tabled action on a proposed ordinance regarding residential fences.
The new food truck ordinance establishes minimum sanitation and public health standards for food trucks, and restricts food trucks to operating only on private property in the city. The ordinance also establishes a permit fee structure calling for $100 for four days of operation, plus $25 for each additional day in excess of four days.
The proposed fence ordinance includes requirements on the height of fences and their location in regard to property lines. The council tabled action on the ordinance and directed the city attorney to add a clause to grandfather existing fences.
NEW DISPATCHER
Police Chief Jared DePoppe told council members he had secured permission from the Mayor to hire Lesli Frank as a full-time dispatcher to fill a vacancy on the police staff. Frank has a master’s degree in criminology, DePoppe said. Originally from the Staunton area, Frank most recently was employed as a dispatcher in Hillsboro.
DePoppe also secured permission from the council to send a yet unnamed recruit to the Illinois Police Academy for training. DePoppe said he had narrowed candidates to three finalists and expected to make a decision on hiring one of them soon. The next Police Academy training sessions begin in November.
The police chief also reported to the council that he is investigating a program under which the city can lease police cars from Enterprise Car Rentals. He said several police departments in Illinois use the program. DePoppe said he believes the program will save the city money overall while ensuring older cars are rotated out of service before they become repair and maintenance liabilities.
DePoppe advised the council that he wants to upgrade the department’s security camera system at a cost of $1,500. The current system is aging, he said and is a critical component of the police department’s operation. In addition to monitoring activity at the headquarters, the system also is used to record interviews with suspects and witnesses and is frequently used by other agencies.
Hicks commented that the city is considering purchasing security cameras for the Street Department and Civic Center. “We might be able to get a better price by bundling them together,” Hicks said.
WATER MAIN BREAK
The council spent several minutes discussing a recent water main break that precipitated a boil order for the city as well as satellite customers.
Ald. Bill Hayes allayed concerns that the break posed a threat to fire suppression in the city and surrounding communities. He said Fire Chief Larry Norville was “on top of it,” arranging for standby firefighting capabilities. Additionally, he said, the water tower was full and a fire hydrant at the base of the tower would have provided access to water for tankers if needed.
Ald. Pettit praised city workers for their rapid response but reported that water main maps the city has on file are inaccurate. He said the valve locations on the maps are wrong in many cases. To find a shutoff valve for the most recent break, city workers had to use a metal detector, according to Pettit.
ALL-CALL SYSTEM
The city will seek to collect phone numbers for all Water Department customers in anticipation of acquiring an all-call system to contact customers in the event of a citywide boil order. Ald. Dona Rauzi said she had consulted with Mark Carpani about a program the city could try for as little as $375 but council members declined to act until the city figures out how to compile nearly 2,000 phone numbers into a spreadsheet.
Rauzi said the system she looked at operated on the basis of “credits” with each credit representing one automated phone call. She said the city could purchase 10,000 credits for $700, or 5,000 credits for $375. The city could purchase additional credits in increments as small as 1,000 but unused credits at the end of the calendar year would be lost.
The system also would allow the city to send text messages to customers with a limit of 160 characters. The system also can deliver a recorded 45-second message. For phone customers who do not pick up and do not have voice mail, the system would try calling up to 11 times in an eight-hour period. The system requires no new software or hardware.
The council appeared poised to authorize the purchase of 5,000 credits until questions arose about compiling the spreadsheet of phone numbers.
“Who’s going to type these phone numbers?” Fisher asked, adding that office staff in the City Clerk’s office did not have time to devote to the project. Ald. Pettit suggested that aldermen could volunteer to come in during evening hours to type and proofread the list. In the meantime, city water customers will be contacted—probably through the billing system—to provide phone numbers for the all-call system.
Once the phone numbers are compiled, the council is expected to take final action regarding the purchase of the system.
SIDEWALK REPAIR
On a motion by Ald. Bob Fritz, the council agreed to pay for materials to replace a sidewalk in the 600 block of Adams Street that was damaged during the recent water infrastructure replacement project. The sidewalk project will replace about 151 feet of walkway, using about 8 yards of concrete and costing approximately $1,100.
VISITOR COMMENTS
A heated exchange between visitor Dave Link and Ald. Bill Hayes focused on the decision to remove a 10-foot section of damaged sidewalk on Macoupin Street. Link appeared before the council to again comment about residents parking on sidewalks in the residential area of Macoupin Street.
“I’ve been here I don’t know how many months complaining about people parking on the sidewalk,” Link said. He said police finally responded to his complaints and the behavior temporarily stopped. However, he said, residents have again begun parking vehicles on sidewalks.
Link complained about the removal of a section of sidewalk on Macoupin Street, alleging city officials decided it was easier to remove the sidewalk rather than stop people from parking on them.
A clearly perturbed Ald. Hayes said the damaged sidewalk was removed to accommodate a disabled person who could not navigate the broken walkway.
“Why didn’t you fix it?” Link wanted to know.
Hayes responded that Link allegedly has an unlicensed truck behind his business with weeds growing around it in violation of city ordinance.
The exchange eventually was ended by the Mayor calling for order.
After the argument, Fisher said that people parking on the boulevard is an issue the city should take seriously and should address.
“We need to give some thought to it,” Fisher said. “It impacts our drainage. It’s something we need to take seriously.”
Council members also heard from Bill Bruhn who thanked the Street Department and Mayor Hicks for responding to his complaint about a ditch at his residence damaged by the water infrastructure project. He also criticized city aldermen for failing to respond to his concerns previously.
“I got more done in an afternoon (talking to Hicks) than I got done in three years,” Bruhn said. “I fell in the ditch once and my grandson fell in it. There are several of you who knew it was a hazard.”
The council referred to the city attorney a request from Justin Hagen to vacate a portion of Biddle Street behind his residence in the 400 block of Diana Drive. Hagen said he and his neighbor have maintained the unused portion of the street for several years.
Later in the meeting, the council voted to refer the issue to City Attorney Rick Verticchio to determine if vacating the street is prudent and possible.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Declared 515 Frey Street a public nuisance.
- Authorized Dave Pickett to attend an Illinois Rural Water Association conference later this month.
- Approved a resolution to reimburse the city $4,988 from the Tax Increment Finance Fund for landscaping work done. By Patrick’s Landscaping.
- Approved a resolution to pay Schuette Design $2,800 from the TIF fund for work Dennis Schuete completed on analyzing the possibility of moving the Police Department into space at the Civic Center vacated by the Gillespie Fire Department.
- Approved payment resolutions for $3,925 to Wells Fargo Vender Financial, $2,689 to Curry and Associates Engineers and $1,318 to Sunbelt Rentals.
Comments
Ye Olde Christmas is the theme of the Macoupin County Historical Society’s annual Christmas Show, which will be held Friday through Sunday, December 5–7, at the John C. Anderson Home and Museum, 920 West Breckenridge in Carlinville.
“The Christmas Show is one of the most magical times to visit the Anderson Home,” said MCHS Board Member and House Manager Brandy England. “Some families make it an annual Christmas tradition to visit the Anderson Home when it is decorated for Christmas. It’s a great opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit and pick up some ideas for decorating your own home for the holidays.”
MCHS member Kendra Mize, of Bunker Hill, who has coordinated the decorating effort for more than two decades, has again marshalled a small army of volunteers to decorate all 13 rooms of the home. Each room features a themed Christmas tree, along with mantle pieces, centerpieces, tabletop decor, garlands and florals, and other special touches.
The home will be open for self-guided tours from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 5; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 6; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 7.
“We’re very excited to offer for the first time candlelight tours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,” said Shawna Ashby, who serves as a co-manager with England. “Viewing the decorated home by candlelight promises to be a magical experience.”
The final candlelight tours on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the home is five dollars for adults and one dollar for children ages five to 12, with four-year-olds and younger admitted free of charge.
The Anderson Home Gift Shop will be open during tour hours, offering one-of-a-kind gift items and stocking stuffers. Santa Claus will be on hand in the downstairs parlor to greet children and listen to their Christmas wishes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.
While the decorated home is the centerpiece of the Christmas Show, several other features on the Historical Society’s grounds will be open. The Red Barn will be open and serving hearty beef stew, chili, homemade pies, and warming holiday beverages such as wassail and hot chocolate on Friday and Saturday.
The General Store and Print Shop will be decorated and open to the public, with the Print Shop offering its popular handmade Christmas cards and other items produced in the shop; kids can print their own blank “Santa List” to keep track of their Christmas wishes.
“The General Store offers unique gift items, including some small antiques, for shoppers to peruse,” England noted.
Local blacksmiths will demonstrate their craft in the MCHS Blacksmith Shop located on the north side of the Historical Society Grounds, with wrought iron gift items, including stocking hooks and decorative pieces, available for purchase.
The Macoupin County Historical Society’s Christmas Show runs concurrently with the Carlinville Christmas Market and Downtown Christmas events, and a free trolley and shuttle buses include the Anderson Home as a regular stop during the festivals, enabling visitors to ride from the square or the Macoupin County Fairgrounds to the Historical Society grounds.
Comments
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted to approve a property tax levy request totaling $3,920,295 for 2025 property taxes payable in 2026. Because of tax caps and other factors, however, the district expects to collect only an estimated $3,786,607 of the requested amount.
In addition to acting on the tax levy, the board also held a lengthy discussion regarding annual district “report cards” issued by the Illinois State Board of Education to assess school performance from last year, approved a high school band/choir performance trip to Chicago in March, and agreed to apply for a school maintenance grant of up to $50,000 in matching funds.
The new proposed levy exceeds last year’s tax extension of $3,599,569 by more than $320,726—an increase of about nine percent if the levy were to be approved at the county level. The more realistic anticipation of $3,786,607 exceeds last year’s extension by $187,038, or an increase of about three percent. A Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), approved by Macoupin County voters in 1995, restricts increases in the levy to five percent or the federal Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. This year’s CPI is estimated at 2.9 percent.
The approved levy seeks $1,650,000 for the Education Fund while expecting to realize $1,653,831; $450,229 for Operations & Maintenance, while anticipating $438,041; $200,000 for Transportation while expecting $180,434; $35,000 for Working Cash while expecting $42,602; $174,700 for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund while anticipating $117,788; $154,101 for Social Security while expecting $105, 248; $247,264 for Tort while anticipating $240,570; and $33,501 for Special Education while expecting $32,593. For Bond and Interest, which is not subject to PTELL, the district is levying $975,500 while anticipating the same amount.
Local property tax revenue accounts for about 20 percent of the district’s overall annual budget.
Because the levy request exceeds 105 percent of the previous year’s extension, a public hearing is required. That hearing is scheduled at the start of the board’s regular December meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15. In the meantime, the proposed levy is available for public inspection on the district’s website and in the district office.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Owsley emphasized the levy request is essentially a wish list for what the district would like to raise through property taxes.
“The levy is the ‘Christmas list’ I talk about every year,” Owsley said. “If you don’t put it on the list, you’re not going to get it.”
Projecting what the district can legally seek under tax caps can be challenging because the district’s total equalized assessed valuation will not be confirmed until after Jan. 1 while state law requires the district to file its levy request before the end of December. For that reason, local school districts routinely file requests that exceed what they actually expect to receive in property tax revenue, and rely on the County Clerk to adjust the request to the maximum amount the district can receive.
“Because of tax caps, we have one shot to capture increases in the EAV and new construction,” Owsley said. “If we don’t do that, we lose it in perpetuity.”
To calculate the new levy, Owsley projected a 15.12 percent increase in the EAV—nearly double the previous year’s rate of increase. By overestimating the EAV growth, the district expects to capture the entire increase in assessed valuation when that number is finally determined.
“Even though we know the EAV will likely be around the historical average, we base our levy on a much higher amount so as not to lose revenue from new growth,” Owsley told the board. “We can do this without running the risk of overtaxing taxpayers because the district will receive no more than what we are entitled to by law.”
Owsley said relatively stable increases in EAV have resulted in a steadily declining tax rate. Since 2014 when the rate was $4.24 per $100 in EAV, the rate has fallen to $3.20 for 2024. In other words, the county can use a lower rate to generate the extension to which the district is entitled because the value of taxable property has increased.
“As long as the EAV goes up by more than the Consumer Price Index, our tax rates are going to go down,” Owsley noted.
SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT CARDS
The board spent several minutes discussing recently released school report cards issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. Interested persons can view local report cards by visiting https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
All three attendance centers received a “Commendable” designation, meaning there are no student groups that are underperforming academically, and the high school graduation rate exceeds 67 percent. Last year, BenGil Elementary School achieved an “Exemplary” designation—the top designation a school can achieve.
Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto said administrators knew the school would not earn an Exemplary rating, even though students are state average in English/language arts, math and science. The Report Card designations are based on growth rather than academic performance. With students already exceeding state standards last year, the opportunity for growth was limited.
Assistant Principal Tara Cooper agreed, noting BenGil Elementary’s student performance is in the upper half of schools statewide that are meeting academic standards. “So, while we are not ‘Exemplary,’ we’re very happy with where we are.”
Supt. Owsley told the board the State Board of Education is working on revamping the assessment system because of the growth vs. performance issue. “That’s why they’re redoing all of this because they are penalizing schools for meeting goals,” he said.
For Gillespie Middle School, the report card shows students meeting or exceeding state averages in math and science but significantly lagging in English/language arts.
“ELA is our most concerning area,” Principal Patrick McGinthy told the board, “along with absenteeism.” The report card shows a chronic absenteeism rate of 25 percent, but Owsley and other administrators said the rate is exacerbated by the State Board of Education including nearly all absences whether or not they are excused.
Rosentreter noted the State Board will allow a student to be absent five days for illness without a doctor’s excuse. On the sixth day, however, the absence is unexcused unless the parent or guardian provides a doctor’s slip. Many parents, however, are reluctant to pay for a doctor’s visit for a child that is suffering from a minor illness.
McGinthy said Middle School teachers are attempting to address the deficiency in English/language arts by increasing writing exercises and requiring students to write in conjunction with other curriculum areas.
Rosentreter noted that the assessment standards for high schools differ from the standards for elementary and middle schools in that the State Board emphasizes graduation rates. For Gillespie, the graduation rate is an impressive 86 percent, though chronic absenteeism checks in at 31 percent.
“Math is definitely our shining star,” Rosentreter said, noting the school scored 17.8 points compared with the state average of 18. The school performed less well in the areas of English/language arts and science, scoring 16 points on ELA compared with the state score of 18 and 17.2 points compared with the state average of 19.
The report cards are based on results for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) test for elementary and middle school students, and ACT scores for high school students.
Administrators said it’s difficult to motivate students to do well on state-mandated tests since the tests do not affect the student’s grade point average. To incentivize testing, Rosentreter said the high school is offering to let students skip final exams if they hit state standards on the mandated tests.
Owsley noted that the district report card documents the continuing decline in school enrollment—dropping from 1,325 seven years ago to 1,082 for the 2024-25 academic year.
“We don’t see that turning around anytime soon,” Owsley said. “It’s not just a Gillespie thing; it’s a trend for schools throughout Macoupin County.
BAND/CHOIR TRIP TO CHICAGO
Following a presentation by band/choir instructor Brad Taulbee, the board approved a high school band and choir performance tour to Chicago set for March 19-21. Taulbee said the tour company retained for the trip places emphasis on security and safety for traveling students. The company supplements hotel security with its own security personnel to monitor student rooms during the trip.
The tour includes workshop sessions at Vandercook College in downtown Chicago, and performances by the choir at the John Hancock Center and by the band at one of the city’s museums.
Taulbee said he is attempting to keep the cost affordable for participating students. Depending upon the number of students who ultimately go on the trip, he said he expects the cost to be about $739 per person. Additionally, he is lining up sponsors who can help with expenses for students who could not otherwise afford to participate.
“Security is my main concern,” said Board President Mark Hayes. “We just came back from there and seven people were shot in the area we were in.”
Taulbee said he expects to recruit seven to 10 chaperones and will ensure that the ratio of students to chaperones does not exceed 1:10.
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANT
The board concurred with Supt. Owsley’s recommendation to again apply for a state School Maintenance grant of up to $50,000. The grant is a “matching” grant requiring the district to match grant funds dollar for dollar. The district has successfully applied for the grant for the past several years.
If the application is successful, Owsley said the funds will likely be used to remove asbestos-containing floor tiles in the choir room and elsewhere in the Middle School.
PERSONNEL
Following an executive session of about 40 minutes to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Tim Wargo as an assistant high school baseball coach and post the position as vacant, and voted to appoint Wargo as the head high school baseball coach for the coming season.
In separate actions, the board approved maternity leaves for Alexis Lupkey, district paraprofessional, and Gear-Up Coordinator Jordan Bartok. Lupkey’s leave is tentatively scheduled from Dec. 8 through March 18. Bartok’s leave is expected from Dec. 12 through Jan.6.
Board members voted unanimously to hire Christopher Whaley as a substitute bus driver, pending a routine background check and documentation of certification.
The board also voted unanimously to terminate Makayla Huff as a three-hour cook and post the position as vacant.
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to rehire fall coaches as follows: Jordan Bartok as head high school girls volleyball coach with Shelsie Price, as an assistant coach; Cory Bonstead as head football coach with Nate Henrichs, Jarrod Herron, Korben Clark, Alex Jasper, J.O. Kelly, Billy Gill and Florian Seferi as assistant and volunteer assistant coaches; Jay Weber as head coach for the parent-funded high school cross-country program with Jack Burns as a volunteer assistant coach; Jake Kellebrew as head coach for the parent-funded high school golf program, with Michael Otten as a volunteer assistant coach; Tim Wargo as head middle school baseball coach with Trae Wargo as assistant coach; Michelle Smith as head middle school softball coach with Jim Matesa, Joe Kelly and Melissa Heigert as assistant coaches; and Liz Thackery as head coach for the parent-funded middle school cross-country program with Laura Peterson as a volunteer assistant coach.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, Supt. Owsley introduced newly hired School Resource Officer Jacob Linhart, and High School Principal provided a report with photos of a recent school-wide Veterans Day observance.
Linhart, who has served five years as a police officer on the Gillespie Police Department, replaces Wade Hendricks, who recently retired after serving three years as the CUSD 7 School Resource Officer.
Linhart said it is a “great privilege” to serve as a Resource Officer, protecting students and staff. “I’m honored that you guys are allowing me to do it,” he said.
High School Principal Rosentreter said the school served breakfast to about 200 veterans and their families Tuesday morning, Nov. 11. Later, the veterans were joined by nearly 700 high school and middle school students for a recognition ceremony in the high school gymnasium.
Since the event coincided with the 25th anniversary of CUSD 7’s Wall of Honor program, the annual event did double duty as an induction ceremony for five are individuals, all of whom happened to be U.S. Military veterans.
The inductees included the late Sergeant Major John Marion Malnar, Command Sergeant Major John “Jack” Burns, Colonel Mark Daley, Lieutenant Colonel William P. Falke and Captain Robert Leone. Rosentreter said Daley and Leone traveled with their families from Colorado and Texas, respectively, to attend the ceremonies.
Burns, a retired CUSD 7 teacher, later visited BenGil Elementary School to present a program and teach students how to properly fold an American flag.
Rosentreter recognized the City of Gillespie for a donation of $1,000 to help purchase food for the veterans.
Born in Benld and a resident of Sawyerville, “Big John” Malnar earned a Silver Star during the Korean Conflict and a Gold Star, awarded posthumously after he was killed in action in 1968 in Vietnam. A Marine training center at Camp Geiger in North Carolina is named in his honor.
Though not a Wall of Honor inductee, Jacob Miller, a 100-year-old World War II veteran and recipient of two Purple Hearts, was recognized with a standing ovation.
The annual Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony provides students with an opportunity to meet and recognize local veterans as potential role models for their own futures.
Owsley said the event is a major event on the district’s calendar which grew out of a simple flagpole ceremony initiated 25 years ago.
CEJA GRANT FUNDS
Board members briefly discussed plans for about $74,000 in anticipated Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant funds. The federal program is intended to compensate communities that have experienced revenue loss as a result of coal mine closures.
Owsley said the district committed about $86,000 in last year’s CEJA grant funds to the City of Gillespie to help pay for improvements to Plum Street, which is heavily used by district school buses. He has not transferred those funds, however, pending the start of the project.
Owsley said he was seeking the board’s input on how the money should be used.
“We could continue to partner with the city on Plum Street,” he said. “But there are plenty of project areas within the school.” The money could be used, for example, for continuing asbestos abatement. He identified other upcoming needs, including a new roof for the high school/middle school and an HVAC project.
President Hayes pointed out the school district paid for improvements to Kelly Street when BenGil Elementary was built and subsidized a project to reconfigure drainage on Broadway Street, in addition to the dollars committed for Plum Street.
“The school district is not in the business of building roads,” he said. “I think we’ve been more than generous with the city.”
Board member Peyton Bernot agreed the money should be committed for use by the school district.
TRIPLE I CONFERENCE
Several board members who attended a conference for board members and administrators Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23, in Chicago, commented briefly about their take-aways from conference sessions. Popularly known as the Triple I Conference, the convention is sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials.
Owsley said more than 700 Illinois school districts were represented, making the Triple I the largest gathering of education professionals in North America.
Bernot briefly reported on a session he attended regarding upcoming legislation and financial outlooks for school districts. He described the session as “much less optimistic” than sessions he’s attended in the past.
Owsley was among the convention presenters, discussing social-emotional learning. He commented that several districts attending reported efforts to involve students in school administrators. Some districts, he said, appointed a non-voting student representative to the school board to take part in discussions directly affecting students.
“When you think about it, we hear from faculty members and we hear from parents,” Hayes commented. “The people we don’t hear from are the most important part of what we do.”
Comments
The Holiday Sparkle Committee of Gillespie is preparing for the 4th Annual Holiday Sparkle Lighted Parade and Community Tree Lighting, set for Sunday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Gillespie. This beloved community tradition invites residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season with lights, music, and festive cheer.
Food trucks will line the parade route starting at 4:00 p.m., offering a variety of tasty options for families to enjoy before and during the celebration. The event will culminate in the illuminated parade and the ceremonial lighting of the community tree, signaling the official start of the season’s celebrations.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be a special performance by Gillespie area students in grades 3 through 5. The group will join together to sing Christmas carols, lending their voices to the town’s joyous welcome to the holidays.
Parade participants are invited to bring extra sparkle to the evening—whether by entering a parade float, walking in the parade, or simply attending to enjoy the atmosphere. Participation helps make the event truly magical for the entire community. The only requirement for the parade is all entries have to incorporate holiday lighting.
To join the parade lineup, interested participants can sign up at https://forms.gle/L7Q4tEkgjj8Lt5E47. The Holiday Sparkle Committee expresses gratitude for the ongoing support of residents, businesses, and volunteers who help bring this festive occasion to life each year.
The second part of the holiday festivities will take place on Saturday, December 13 when the Sparkle will sponsor the vendor fair and food trucks in downtown Gillespie including a visit from Santa. Vendors will be located in the Gillespie Civic Center, Zion Lutheran Church, and Emma G’s Upscale Boutique while local businesses and eateries will also be open. An egg nog jog benefitting Gillespie Cross Country will also be held on December 13 and interested participants can join here.
The Holiday Sparkle Committee invites everyone to mark their calendars and join in the celebration. For more information, please contact the committee by email at gillespieholidaysparkle@gmail.com or visit Gillespie Holiday Sparkle on Facebook.
