Community News
Gillespie Council approves $7.2 million appropriation ordinance, debates ambulance dispatching counteroffer
Members of the Gillespie City Council voted unanimously Monday night to adopt a new appropriations ordinance to govern spending during the current fiscal year. Though not a budgetary document, the state-mandated annual appropriations ordinance sets spending ceilings for specific line items for the fiscal year. This year’s ordinance authorizes expenditures of $7.2 million, compared with $17.2 million last year.
This year’s appropriation is less than half of last year’s ordinance, primarily because last year’s ordinance included $10 million in anticipated expenditures for the city’s water infrastructure improvement project, which has since been completed. Still, the new ordinance authorizes up to $2 million in new spending for capital improvements, according to City Treasurer Dan Fisher. Those potential expenditures include $1 million for a streetscape project to improve the appearance and function of the downtown business district and $1 million for a potential sewer improvement project. Both projects would be subsidized with grant funds.
The appropriation also includes authorization to spend some $70,000 to $80,000 in remaining USDA funds awarded for the water infrastructure improvement project on improvements to the water treatment plant.
Approval of the appropriation ordinance was preceded by a required public hearing conducted 15 minutes prior to the council’s regular monthly meeting. There were no comments or discussion during the hearing and no questions from members of the public or council.
The new appropriation ordinance totals $7,229,050. Despite completion of the water infrastructure project, the Water Department still represents a lion’s share of anticipated spending for the fiscal year, coming in with an appropriation of $1,983,500, compared with last year’s appropriation of $12,177,500 last year.
Other line items with appropriations in excess of $1 million are General Administrative Expense with an appropriation of $1,308,400, compared with $1,296,400 last year; and the Police Department with an appropriation of $1,081,500, compared with $1,059,500 last year. The General Administrative Expense includes $1 million in Capital Project grant funds authorized by the State Legislature two years ago and earmarked for the Streetscape project. The Police Department appropriation topped $1 million last year for the first time to allow for additional expenditures associated with extending police protection services to the City of Benld.
The Street Department appropriation totals $978,000, compared with $891,000 last year. Up to $604,160 in expenditures is authorized for the Sewer Department, compared with $545,160 last year. The appropriation for Recreation and Parks is $478,100, compared with 450,200 last year.
Other appropriations for the current fiscal year are as follows: TIF Fund, $215,000; Motor Fuel Tax Fund, $200,000; FICA, $110,00; Administrative Building, $66,300; Liability Insurance, $50,000; Salaries of Elected and Appointed City Officials, $42,020; Library, $40,670; ESDA, $21,400; and Municipal Band, $3,000.
In a related matter, Fisher discussed the possibility of raising the minimum charge for sewer services from $8.50 per month to $12 per month. The extra $3.50 per customer, he said, would generate $63,000 in new revenue annually. The increase, he said, would pave the way for the city to seek a grant and/or loan to subsidize a sewer improvement project.
“In conversations with other communities and DCEO (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, you have to demonstrate you’ve done all you can to raise $1 million,” Fisher said. “Then they’ll come in to help. To be eligible for a DCEO grant, we’d need to raise our minimum sewer rate by $3.50.”
The City of Benld, Fisher noted, raised sewer rates last year primarily to facilitate that community’s application for a sewer improvement grant.
With the new revenue, the city conceivably could leverage a $1 million low-interest, long-term loan, according to Fisher. He said interest rates on such loans are at a historic low at the moment which is unlikely to reoccur in the future.
“A million dollars doesn’t go as far as you’d think,” Fisher pointed out. He said replacing aging sewer lines would require crossing a number of streets in the city. Boring under those streets is cost-prohibitive, meaning workers will have to cut trenches to install new lines. “You’ll have an eight-inch PVC line at the bottom of an eight-foot trench. Just the rock to fill that trench to street level is about $800. That’s just the cost of the rock, not the cost of dumping it, compacting it and resurfacing. That’s $800 for each crossing, and how many crossing do we have in town?”
Fisher said he was not asking the council to immediately approve a rate increase, but he wanted council members to start thinking about it. He said he will ask for the issue to be on the agenda at a later date.
Ald. Wendy Rolando said residents are likely to complain about an increase of any kind, but she said $3.50 a month factors out to $42 a year.
“If you have a private septic system, it’s going to cost you a lot more than $42 a year,” she said, “and look at what we can do with that $42.”
Later in the meeting, the council also approved the final payments to Haier Plumbing and Heating and to Curry and Associates Engineers for work done on the now completed water infrastructure improvement project. Final payment to Haier was in the amount of $25,000 and final payment to Curry amounted to $7,668.53.
AMBULANCE DISPATCHING CONTRACT
The council spent several minutes debating a counteroffer to the Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service on a contract to provide dispatching services through the Gillespie Police Department. The potential contract has been a focus of controversy for more than a year. In previous years, the Ambulance Service voluntarily “donated” money to the City of Gillespie in return for dispatching services, usually in the amount of $5,000. With the expansion of the Ambulance Service’s service area to include Mount Olive and Carlinville, however, the pressure on Police Department dispatchers increased, and city officials sought a formal contract with the Ambulance Service.
City officials initially asked for $24,000 annually, indicating that the price was based on the cost of providing the service. Ambulance runs dispatched by the Gillespie Police Department primarily are non-emergency nursing home or hospital transfers. Medical emergencies, such as heart attacks or other acute distress, are dispatched via the county’s 911 emergency telephone system. Still, the Gillespie Police Department handles 150 to 200 dispatch calls monthly.
Ald. Dona Rauzi presented a tentative contract with a counteroffer price structure offered by the Ambulance Service. She said she, Police Chief Jared DePoppe and Treasurer Fisher had been in negotiations with the Ambulance Service since March 2020. In the tentative contract, the Ambulance Service offered to pay $12,000 annually for dispatching services. The term on the proposed contract is three years.
“I’m in favor of having a written agreement,” Rauzi said. “However, the council has to approve.”
Rauzi said the Ambulance Board of Directors is set to meet next Tuesday, If the terms of the contract had been acceptable to the council, she said, the ambulance board seemed poised to approve the contract next week.
Fisher, however, objected the pricing and terms of the proposed contract. The $12,000 figure was substantially below the $15,000 counter offer the city had offered. Moreover, he objected to the lack of language enabling the city to pass on cost increases. Fisher said the city’s compromise for a three-year contract offer had been $15,000 the first year, $17,500 the second and $24,000 for the third.
“You should have increases for each year. We have wage increases for those dispatchers for each of those three years,” he said. “We’ve talked for two years. If we’re going to reach an agreement, we might as well have an agreement worth having.”
Ald. Landon Pettit said the Ambulance Service had “met in the middle” between the Ambulance Service’s original offer of $10,000 and the city’s counter-proposal of $15,000. “Why not add $1,000 a year for each year,” he said. “If their call volume goes down, they can terminate the contract. Whether we take those calls or not, we still have to have that dispatcher there 24 hours a day.”
But Fisher insisted the city should not sell services to other entities below cost. “Twenty-four thousand dollars doesn’t cover the cost of one part-time dispatcher,” Fisher said. “We need to be cautious about how we enter into agreements with other entities because we are subsidizing other units of government. It should not be a number based on ‘we all agree to this.’ It should be a number based on the actual cost.”
Ald. Rolando commented that the city’s proposal was reasonable and other dispatching services were unwilling to provide services for less money than the city proposed. She said $30,000 a year was common, with some ranging up to $80,000. “I’m sure they shopped around and realized that what we were asking was reasonable,” she said.
Ultimately, on a motion by Ald. Rolando, the council directed City Attorney Dan O’Brien, Mayor John Hicks and Fisher to continue working with the Ambulance Service. Ald. Bob Fritz voted “present” because he serves on the Ambulance Board. There was no consensus on pricing structure, though Fisher recommended $15,000 for the first year, $20,000 for the second, and $25,000 for the third.
CANNA THEATER
On O’Brien’s advice, the council declined to vote on a letter from the Assembly of God Church offering to donate the Canna Theater building to the city. Ethan Fogg, Peace Corps Fellow, presented the proposal, saying the church is in the process of having the remaining mortgage on the building transferred to its actual church building nearby. Until that transfer is complete, however, O’Brien said there “is nothing to vote on.”
Fogg had recommended accepting the donation, saying the building is deteriorating and likely to be in need of demolition. Getting court permission to demolish a nuisance building, however, typically necessitates the city suing the owner.
“The way the city can take care of buildings like that is to take control of it,” Fogg said. “Accepting the donation will save the city money.”
Fogg also briefly discussed ongoing work on developing a six-mile hiking trail on the north side of Gillespie Lake. He said he has been working with Blackburn College, which owns farmland on the north side of the lake.
“They’ve shown great interest in the trail and are helping in any way they can,” he said. One of the college’s concerns is making sure the trail does not pass so closely to the farmland that hikers might encroach on the fields.
Council members voted unanimously to adopt a revised Zoning Map prepared by Fogg. Fogg researched zoning changes from the last 50 years to create a map that reflects current zoning provisions. The map had not been updated since the city first adopted zoning in 1961.
MUNICIPAL BAND FUNDS
Council members agreed to place on the July agenda action on a proposal by Treasurer Fisher to utilize Municipal Band Funds to pay for concerts on city property. He said the Municipal Band Fund currently has $22,000. The city could dip into the fund, he said, to pay for bands to perform on city property, providing recreational opportunities and attracting interest for downtown events.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Ald. Rauzi commented.
“It promotes things in the community,” Ald. Pettit added.
The council stopped short of voting on a motion to donate $500 retroactively to the Black Diamond Days Committee to defer the cost of bands that performed at the recent Black Diamond Days festival at Gillespie Lake. Attorney O’Brien pointed out that no vote could be taken because the issue was not on the previously published agenda.
SURPLUS PROPERTY
Council members voted unanimously to accept high bids for the sale of surplus property. Rosentreter Brothers submitted a successful bid of $8,660 for a surplus road grader and Steve Spencer was the successful bidder for Case International Tractor with a brush hog attachment. A total of six bidders competed for the tractor. Three bidders submitted offers for the grader.
WATER PLANT EQUIPMENT
On the recommendation of Water Committee Chair Pettit, the council approved the purchase of new pumps and sensors to be installed at the water treatment plant. Pettit said the option he recommended was slightly more expensive than an alternate option.
“If we go with the lower one, we’re kind of stuck where we are,” he said. “The higher one is a step up in terms of technology. It allows for remote monitoring.”
In separate actions, the council also approved Pettit’s recommendations to declare a truck currently owned by the Water Department as surplus in order to trade it in on the purchase of a replacement 2021 Chevrolet pick-up from Freedom Chevrolet, Virden, at a cost of $25,594 with the trade-in.
STREET CLOSURE
In other action, the council voted to close portions of Montgomery and Chestnut Streets for an event to be held in conjunction with a 5K race on the first Saturday in September.
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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.
