Community News
Gillespie Council approves appropriation, hires police officer
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved a $14 million appropriation ordinance for the current fiscal year, hired a new city police officer, and accepted the resignations of two city employees.
Totaling $13,933,250, the annual appropriation covers anticipated spending for the fiscal year that began May 1 and nearly double last year’s appropriation of $7,229,050. The additional expenditures are related to anticipated expenditures of grant funds in the amount of $1.2 million for continued water line improvements and $4.5 million for an anticipated streetscape project in downtown Gillespie.
Approval of the appropriation was preceded by a brief public hearing, required by law, during which no members of the public appeared to ask questions or make comments.
Appropriation ordinances are required by law and set the maximum amounts a municipality is allowed to spend for specific line items. They are not necessarily budgetary documents. Setting a spending ceiling for specific line items does not necessarily mean the city will spend that much. The appropriation simply sets the amount of spending the city cannot legally exceed.
The Water Department appropriation totals $3,208,500, including $1,200,000 for water line improvements, compared with a $1,983,500 last year. Other line items for which more than $1 million is appropriated include $4.5 million for the Streetscape program; $1,172,500 for the Police Department, compared with $1,081,500 last year; $1,113,000 for the Street Department, compared with $978,000 last year; and $1,313,400 for General Administrative Expenses, compared with $1,308,400 last year;
The newly adopted ordinance sets the appropriation for City Lakes and Parks at $518,800 and $190,000 for Parks and Recreation. Both appropriations were combined for one line item last year totaling $478,100.
The newly adopted ordinance sets maximum spending for the Sewer Department at $759,160, compared with $604,160 last year; $42,020 for elected and appointed city officials’ salaries which is identical to last year’s appropriation; and $201,300 for Municipal Administrative Building costs (which includes $150,000 for repairs and maintenance), compared with $66,300 last year.
Other appropriations include $33,900 for Emergency Services and Disaster Administration, compared with $21,400 last year; $40,670 for the Public Library which is identical to a year ago; $5,000 for the Municipal Band, compared with $3,000 last year; $150,000 for FICA participation, compared with $110,000 last year; and $65,000 for Liability Insurance, compared with $50,000 a year ago.
A total of $350,000 is appropriated from Motor Fuel Tax funds for street maintenance, compared with $200,000 last year.
The ordinance appropriates $270,000 in potential TIF Fund expenditures, compared with $215,000 last year.
PERSONNEL
Early in the meeting, the council voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Jared DePoppe’s recommendation to hire David Schaeffer as a full-time police officer. Schaeffer currently is employed as a Springfield Park Police officer, according to DePoppe.
Following a 45-minute executive session, the council approved a motion to suspend Water Department employee James Graves for the final two days of his employment without pay. Council members also voted unanimously to accept Graves’ formal resignation, along with that of Jared Link, a Gillespie Lake employee.
On. a motion by Ald. Landon Pettit, the council voted unanimously to hire Justin Johnson as a full-time Lake employee.
LAKE MANAGER AUTHORITY
Upon the recommendation of City Attorney Rick Verticchio, the council voted unanimously to grant Lake Manager Gary Thornhill authority to suspend lake privileges for guests who commit serious violations of lake rules. Under terms of the motion, Thornhill’s actions to suspend privileges will be subject to review and final approval by the full city council.
The action follows two recent incidents during which City Police were summoned to the lake to deal with serious infractions. Thornhill said in one case, local police did not know how to respond because the incident involved possible environmental issues. A lake user reportedly discharged an estimated 25 gallons of gasoline onto the ground near the lake shore, requiring lake workers to bring in tractors and materials to clean up the spill before it could contaminate the water supply. Thornhill said firefighters and other personnel were on scene for upward of four hours to contain the gasoline.
The individuals involved claimed they thought the tank they were emptying contained water and only discovered it was gasoline after they discharged the material onto the ground. Thornhill said the city incurred $1,183 in expenses to clean up the spill. Verticchio said he planned to draft a letter to the responsible party to seek recovery of the city’s expenditure. No charges apparently were filed.
In the other incident, boaters rode a jon boat over the spillway and down the concrete apron on the front side of the dam.
Apparently council action is required to permanently revoke lake privileges but Monday’s action authorizes Thornhill to revoke privileges, pending review and final action by the council.
DRAINAGE ISSUES/WATER IMPROVEMENTS
The council referred to committee a proposal from Ald. Wendy Rolando to prepare a public notice to inform residents that work on the city’s water infrastructure improvement project is ongoing.
“I’d like to draft something to let people know that yes, we are continuing to work on the water project; no, it’s not finished; and hopefully it will be finished by such and such a time,” Rolando said. She said she is hearing complaints from residents and that the public’s patience is “wearing thin.”
On a motion by Rolando, seconded by Ald. Dona Rauzi, the council directed Rolando to prepare a draft notice to be reviewed by committee and ultimately published to bring residents up to date regarding the project’s status.
Rolando also discussed drainage issues on Plum Street and the surrounding neighborhood.
“I’ve been out there a week after a big rain and there is still water standing,” she said. The standing water, she said, is a breeding ground for mosquitos and poses a health hazard for residents. She asked for an engineering survey to determine what can be done to alleviate the problem.
City Treasurer Dan Fisher, however, said such a study already has been done and there is literally no solution to the issue. Prior to the construction of BenGil Elementary School, he said, the city attempted to piggyback with the school district to improve drainage in the area. Because the school project was grant-funded, the school district could not expand the project to include municipal drainage. He said the city also looked into diverting drainage into the Illinois Route 16 ditch but was rebuffed by the Department of Transportation.
“The only way to take care of that is to put in a storm sewer with a lift station to lift water to the top of the grade to flow away from the area,” Ald. Pettit said. A lift station, he said, would cost a minimum of $500,000, excluding the associated storm sewer work. “You’re looking at a million-dollar project.”
Early in the meeting, resident Mary Gucciardo approached the council with concerns about a clogged drain on her property in the 600 block of Edwards Street. She said she has complained about the issue for at least 15 years.
“When we get a big rain, it overflows the road,” she said.
Ald. Pettit said lack of money has prevented the city from addressing the issue previously but plans are in place to rent a vacuum truck this fall to clean storm drains throughout the city. With two to three workers on the truck, he said it may take three days or more to get around to all the drains the Street Department has identified as problems.
ROYELL COMMUNICATIONS LEASE
City Treasurer Dan Fisher reported that a three-year lease allowing Royell Communications to provide internet service to Gillespie residents expired on June 14. Before the city had a chance to contact Royell to renegotiate terms of the lease, Royell sent a check to cover 2022-23 at the current rate of $3,047. Fisher said the City Clerk had not deposited the check, awaiting direction from the council on how the city wanted to proceed.
Acting on the advice of City Attorney Verticchio, the council voted to deposit the check, essentially extending the current contract for one year at the same rate, with an eye toward renegotiating the lease at the end of the contract.
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
Continuing the city’s more aggressive stance toward derelict properties, the council approved resolutions declaring 206 Frey Street, 414 West Walnut Street and 503 West Chestnut Street as public nuisances. The resolutions formally empower the city attorney to pursue legal action to seek court orders requiring property owners to remedy deficiencies on the properties. If the lawsuits are successful, the city ultimately could win authority to raze the houses and take possession of the properties if the owners fail to abate the nuisances.
Additionally, the council authorized Verticchio to contact the owners of alleged nuisance properties at 608 North Adams Street, 602 North Adams Street and 702 North Francis Street. The letters will give responsible parties a specified period of time to abate the nuisances to avoid court action.
With the actions approved Monday night, Ald. Rauzi said the city has addressed 10 properties out of 19 originally identified by the city for nuisance abatement.
SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor John Hicks announced a special meeting of the council set for 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, with representatives of the Illinois Housing Development Authority to discuss the results of a housing survey conducted in conjunction with IDHA’s Revitalization and Repair Program.
POND CONCERNS
Adam Kilduff appeared before the council to discuss his plans to build a pond on property he is redeveloping on the city’s southeast side. He said he wanted to address concerns the council or residents might have regarding the proposed pond.
“I’m cleaning up the property,” he said, noting he removed three dump truck loads of used tires and cleaned up a burned-out house and garage. “I’m out there at 4 in the morning before I go to work and I’m out there at 9 at night.”
He reported to the council that the property will be fenced to enclose the pond in compliance with city ordinances.
“I think I’m doing a good thing,” he said. “I just don’t want any problems.”
“I don’t think there’s any problem,” said Ald. Frank Barrett. “We just wanted to be sure (it would be fenced).”
“I think it’s an asset,” Ald. Rick Fulton added.
CIVIC CENTER REVAMP
Fisher reported that architect Dennis Schuette has been retained to prepare preliminary architectural drawings to direct discussion about possible uses and configurations for the space formerly occupied by the Gillespie Fire Department. Possibilities include creating multiple use areas or space to house the Gillespie Police Department.
PARK CAMERAS
Ald. Pettit briefly discussed the possibility of purchasing surveillance cameras to combat vandalism in city parks. Earlier in the meeting, Ald. Barrett discussed the purchase of new playground equipment for Welfare Park that has been damaged beyond repair. Pettit suggested that if the city plans to install cameras at the Water Department and other city-owned properties, it might be possible to get a better price by bidding all the city’s camera needs as one project.
Fisher noted that as park of Streetscape program, there has been discussion about installing cameras in the downtown business district. Urban cameras have become a trend, he said, because residents feel more secure with camera surveillance. Curry and Associates Engineers, he said, already is in the process of contacting surveillance camera companies to get prices for cameras and monitoring interfaces that would connect to computers at City Hall. In the event cameras become a part of Streetscape project, Fisher said it might be possible to add cameras at city parks and other properties for the cost of cameras alone. The cost of the interface, the most expensive component of the system, would be borne by the Streetscape project.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Voted to close the 100 block of East Chestnut Street and the 100 block of Montgomery Street for a chili cook-off sponsored by the Lions Club on Sept. 24.
- Approved expenditure of $22,504 from the TIF Fund to pay Bolash Roofing for work completed on the Civic Center Roof.
- Approved expenditure of $3,015.95 from the TIF Fund to Moran Economic Development for consulting work in connection with establishing a new TIF District.
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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.
