Community News
Gillespie Council approves dump truck purchase, eyes wage increase for part-time/seasonal employees
Gillespie City Council members voted Monday night to approve the purchase of a new dump truck at a cost not to exceed $100,000. Council members also referred to committee a proposal to raise wages for part-time and seasonal employees, approved purchasing a lot on which the burned remains of a house are located, and renewed a lease for a postage machine in the City Clerk’s Office.
City aldermen also green-lit plans for the city’s annual Holiday Sparkle event in downtown Gillespie, and tentatively approved a Halloween event at Gillespie Lake, contingent upon the sponsors providing proof of insurance.
No action followed a 20-minute executive during which the council reportedly discussed possible litigation in connection with one of the city’s water plant substations. Sitting in for City Attorney Rick Verticchio, Jono Verticchio reportedly advised the council against filing a lawsuit.
The dump truck purchase followed a lengthy and sometimes convoluted discussion that included not only pricing but also details about how the city will pay for the vehicle. Ald. Bob Fritz raised the issue, agreeing to secure pricing to be considered at next month’s council meeting. Ald. Wendy Rolando, however, noted that Ald. Landon Pettit had already researched pricing and had presented the numbers three months earlier.
“We need to do something,” Pettit told the council. “We’re going to be down to junk (with the existing truck).”
Referring to pricing he had presented in August, Pettit said the city could purchase a Ford F-150 diesel truck equipped with a dump bed, along with a snow plow, spreader and other equipment, for $95,261 from Victory Lane Ford. He said the price quote is a so-called “state bid” affirmed by the State of Illinois, which enables the city to buy the truck without a formal bidding process.
City Treasurer Dan Fisher noted that the city’s decision to buy a neighboring building to relocate the Police Department instead of remodeling a portion of the Civic Center vacated by the Gillespie Fire Department has freed up some money for major purchases. Additionally, the city has 350,000 in available Tax Increment Financing funds, and $360,000 in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds. He recommended paying for the truck with ARPA funds.
Pettit noted that the pricing he obtained was several months old and may have increased in the meantime. On a motion by Fritz, seconded by Pettit, the council authorized the expenditure of up to $100,000 to purchase a truck. The vehicle will be used by the Street Department, Lake Department, and Water Department, as needed.
In a somewhat related matter, the council approved a resolution that formally authorizes the city to finalize an agreement to purchase real estate at 124 North Macoupin Street. The city agreed earlier to purchase the building for $67,000 to house the city’s Police Department. Monday night’s action was a formality to authorize the expenditure. Ald. Dave Link cast the sole dissenting vote.
On Mayor John Hicks’ recommendation, the council tabled a proposal to purchase two new 60-inch zero-turn mowers at a cost of $32,598. Hick’s noted the mowing season is coming to an end and the council has time to research pricing and features with an eye toward purchasing the mowers before next spring.
PAY INCREASES FOR PART-TIMERS
A recommendation from Police Chief Jared DePoppe asking the council to consider raising hourly wages for part-time dispatchers and police officers led to a larger discussion about whether or not to increase wages for all city part-timers and seasonal workers. Ultimately, the issue was referred to committee, which may return to the full council at a later date with a resolution to address the issue.
DePoppe said the police department relies heavily on part-time officers and part-time dispatchers, but it is difficult to recruit those workers because the city’s wages are so low. The part-time employees are not covered by the union contract, he said, so the council can opt to increase wages without violating the contract.
He recommended raising part-time police officer wages from $17.77 per hour to $19 per hour, and raising part-time dispatchers from $14.36 per hour to $16 per hour.
“That’s still below the full-time rate,” DePoppe said. “It is difficult to recruit people when wages are so low, and we do depend on part-time people a lot.”
Ald. Pettit questioned whether or not wages should be raised for all part-time and seasonal workers, suggesting it would be unfair to raise wages for police part-timers without raising wages for part-time employees in other departments.
HOLIDAY SPARKLE, HALLOWEEN EVENT
The council voted unanimously to approve plans for this year’s Holiday Sparkle and provide sponsors of the event with $500 to pay for bands and musicians. However, the council deferred action on approving a Halloween event at Gillespie Lake pending the sponsors being able to provide proof of insurance.
Tammy Beecher, one of the Holiday Sparkle planners, said the event has been scheduled for Dec. 21, with more than 30 vendors already signed to offer crafts and gift items. Because the Sparkle date is close to Christmas Day, Beecher said the traditional Christmas parade and tree lighting will be on Dec.1, which is the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. The parade will step-off at 4:30 and end at the community Christmas tree, where a lighting ceremony will take place.
The Dec. 21 Holiday Sparkle will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beecher said the committee is contacting downtown business owners to host vendors. If there is an overflow, Beecher said the committee has the use of tents from the Macoupin County Public Health Department that can be erected on Chestnut Street just off Macoupin Street on the east and west sides.
The group plans to decorate planters located on the sidewalk, but Beecher was told the group could not string lights over the street.
“We can’t do that anymore,” Ald. Rolando commented. “I checked last year to find out why we didn’t put up our lighted swags above the street.”
Fisher reported that the restriction on hanging banners or lights above the street is a federal, not state, rule, resulting from Illinois Route 4 being part of the federal scenic highways program. It is possible to hang banners or lights above the roadway, if the group or city secures permission from the Scenic Highways administrators.
The council gave tentative approval for a Halloween event at Gillespie Lake, provided the sponsors can provide proof of insurance. Lake Manager Gary Thornhill appeared with event coordinator Carrie Ronde to seek permission to hold an event on Oct. 25 at the lake. If it is held, the event will include a haunted hayride, a haunted trail and other attractions for youths.
The event reportedly is in jeopardy, however, because of an exorbitant increase in insurance costs. Last year, the event was insured for $411 for the two-day event. This year’s quote is about $8,000 for coverage. Both Thornhill and Ronde said the event will be canceled if the insurance issues can’t be resolved.
Thornhill said the group donated proceeds from last year’s event to Community Unit School District 7 but retained enough to cover start-up expenses for this year’s event.
“We didn’t keep back nearly enough to pay for insurance at that rate,” Thornhill noted. He asked if there was any possibility of piggy-backing on the city’s liability policy.
“The problem is our insurance will cover us but it won’t cover you,” Fisher said. “If anything happened, even though it’s on city property, any lawyer will tell you that you’re going to get sued. It’s in your best interest to have your own insurance.”
Runde said the dramatic increase in the insurance premium apparently is not unusual, and said their insurance agent told them the increases are a nationwide phenomenon. “State Farm will no longer write a policy for a one-day event,” she said. “Two days is even worse.”
She said the group is scrambling to find affordable coverage but plans to cancel the event if insurance can’t be found.
“I can tell you this,” said Ald. Pettit, who also serves on the Black Diamond Days committee, “If Black Diamond Days’ insurance goes up like that, Black Diamond Days will be done. This is a bad thing for our town.”
LIQUOR LICENSE CONSIDERATION
Local realtor Ruth Loveless introduced John Patel of O’Fallon, who is seeking a liquor license to open a liquor/tobacco/convenience store in the former location of the Dollar General Store on Macoupin Street. The building has been the focus of an ongoing public nuisance complaint.
Fisher said issuing the license could be complicated because Patel is not a resident of the city. Depending on how the business is organized—sole proprietorship, limited liability, etc.—can affect whether or not state law requires the license holder to be a resident. Patel said he ran into that issue with a store he opened in Belleville and was able to satisfy the requirement by hiring a manager who was a resident of the city.
Mayor Hicks told Patel the City Attorney would research the law to see if a license can be issued for a non-resident.
“If there’s no rule against it, chances are we’ll approve it,” Hicks told Patel.
In a related matter, Hicks presented a standardized liquor application form for council members to review. Among the changes the new form requires is a $16 fee to cover the cost of background checks, and requires posting a $2,000 surety bond.
Once the new form is approved, Hicks suggested it should be completed not only by new applicants but by current license holders as well so the city will have their information on file.
IMRF COMPLICATIONS
A proposal from City Treasurer Fisher to “find a way” to help employees “buy back” years of service to ensure they are fully vested to collect IMRF benefits when they retire was referred to committee. City employees voted earlier this year to participate in Illinois Municipal Retire Fund (IMRF).
Under IMRF rules, “Tier I” employees are vested in the system after eight years, while “Tier II” employees have to work 10 years to be able to retire with benefits.
“We all thought our most senior employees were Tier I employees,” Fisher said. IMRF, however, said the start date for determining whether or not an employee is Tier I or Tier II is calculated from the month the employee joined the IMRF system. For Gillespie city workers, that date is March of this year.
Because of the discrepancy, senior employees, some of whom are nearing retirement, have to buy back 10 years of service to be vested in the system. Further complicating the issue, the buy-back rate will increase after January 1.
Fisher said part of the confusion resulted from a computer glitch at IMRF at the time the city was switching over to the IMRF system. Consequently, city employees were not fully informed of their options regarding buy-backs at the time.
When the city switched pension systems, it paid current employees the amount each employee had accrued in their retirement accounts. Most employees, especially those who had worked several years, chose to reinvest those funds in interest-bearing or dividend-bearing accounts. Most are unable to “buy back” years in the IMRF system now without paying a penalty to withdraw funds from their private retirement accounts.
“We need to find some way to help them buy back their years up to 10 years,” Fisher said. “I would like to come up with something before the end of the year. For anyone willing to make a contribution to buy back years, we would match a percentage of that to help them get to 10 years or as close to 10 years as possible.”
Fisher proposed developing a formula under which the city would match a percentage of funds needed to ensure long-term employees are fully vested in the IMRF system. For the senior employees, Fisher said, the buy-back will be more expensive than it will be for employees who have workers for shorter periods. Fisher said he would like to have a formula that is weighted to pay different percentages of the buy-back for different employees, based on each employee’s longevity and age.
“We would have to act on it in December,” Fisher noted. “I have no idea how we would pay for it. We’d have to figure that out. I thought we should do something, especially for guys who’ve been with us for a long time.”
Fisher said the cost to the city will “not be insubstantial,” estimating an outlay of $100,000 to $150,000.
In another personnel-related matter, the council asked the City Attorney to develop a draft policy to bring the city into compliance with the state’s Paid Leave Act.
Under the law, Fisher told the council, an employee is entitled to earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours they work. Fisher said the city needs a policy, however, to ensure employees can only use those hours for paid leave for attending funerals or personal business, but cannot be reimbursed for them upon terminating from city employment.
“If someone quits or gets laid off, are they entitled to be reimbursed for paid leave they’ve built up?” Fisher asked. “We need to have a policy for how we’re going to handle this going forward.” Reimbursing terminated employees for paid leave, he argued, is “not in keeping with the intent of the law.”
DISPUTED WATER BILL
On a motion by Ald. Dave Link, the council voted to waive late fees and sewer charges for a city resident who accrued a large water bill due to an undetected leak. Gary Irvin, who resides in the 100 block of East Spruce Street, appeared before the council to voice concerns about the bill said the leak was discovered and repaired after he returned home from being out of town. He later received a $535 bill for 57,000 gallons of usage.
“I’m retired,” he explained. “I don’t have that sort of income.”
In addition to reducing the amount of the bill, Link’s motion gives Irvin 60 days to make payment.
Irvin also asked about replacing a sidewalk at his residence that has been in a state of disrepair since the city’s water infrastructure replacement project. He said he has fallen twice because of the broken sidewalk.
Fisher told Irvin the sidewalk will be replaced under a Streetscape project that is supposed to begin next year.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council voted unanimously to purchase a lot with a burned out residence at 301 East Maple Street for $811 in delinquent real estate taxes. Verticchio told the council a tax trustee purchased the property at a tax sale and $811 would redeem the property. In the alternative, the city could pursue condemnation procedures which would cost a minimum of $3,000 in legal fees.
By purchasing the property, Hicks noted, the city will be able to go in and clean up the property in order to resell it.
Council members also voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Zoning Board to reclassify 209 Montgomery Street from business to residential. The brick building originally was used as a funeral home and was most recently occupied by a non-denominational church congregation.
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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.
