Community News
Gillespie Council approves levy, sets May 1 labor celebration
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved a property tax levy for 2020 taxes to be collected in 2021 amounting to more than $357,000, and agreed to close a portion of Chestnut Street on May 1 for a labor celebration in connection with the dedication of a historic site market to be installed at the Canna Theater, formerly the Colonial Theater.
Approval of the levy was preceded by a brief public hearing. State law requires a public hearing when a taxing body’s levy request exceeds the previous year’s tax extension by five percent or more. The new levy exceeds last year’s extension by less than five percent, but the city opted to voluntarily convene a public hearing.
The levy, unanimously approved on a motion by Ald. Frank Barrett, seconded by Ald. Rick Fulton, calls for raising $357,532 from property taxes next year. Though not insignificant, local property taxes account for only a fraction of the city’s annual expenditures. The appropriation for the current fiscal year’s expenditures, for example, totals about $17 million.
Broken down by fund, the levy request for Corporate purposes totals $53,639, compared with $55,847 levied last year; $25,247 for Police, compared with $24,045 last year; $34,206 for Streets and Bridges, compared with $32,577 last year; $9,772 for Emergency Services and Disaster Administration, compared with $9,307 last year; $57,009 for Liability Insurance, compared with $54,294 last year; $14,659 for Parks, compared with $13,667 last year; $3,258 for the Municipal Band, compared with $3,103 last year; $102,619 for Social Security, compared with $97,732 last year; and $52,123 for the Public Library, compared with $49,641 last year.
Gillespie and other taxing bodies in Macoupin County are subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) which limits increases in the annual levy to no more than five percent or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. Because the CPI typically is less than five percent, the final levy normally is less than the levy request. The current CPI is estimated at 2.3 percent.
The County Clerk is responsible for setting the actual tax rate for local taxpayers by calculating the rate necessary to generate as much of the levy request as allowed by law when applied to the current equalized assessed valuation.
MAY DAY CELEBRATION
On a motion by Ald. Dave Tucker, who also serves as voluntary director of the Illinois Coal Mining Museum in Gillespie, the council voted unanimously to close a portion of Chestnut Street for a May 1 labor celebration. Also on Tucker’s motion, the council voted to expend $138 for an ornamental post on which to mount a historic site plaque at the Canna Theater.
Tucker said the $3,800 cost of the bronze plaque is being underwritten through the University of Illinois. The plaque will commemorate the formation of the Progressive Mine Workers of America in the late 1930s during a meeting of mine workers at what was then known as the Colonial Theater. The PMWA was formed as a break-away from the United Mine Workers of America, then controlled by John L. Lewis, when local miners clashed with the UMWA over contractual concessions Lewis made to mine owners.
“May 1 is a significant date in labor history,” Tucker noted, explaining the choice of dates for the event.
Among organized laborers, May 1 is designated as International Laborers Day, commemorating organized labor’s declaration for an eight-hour workday on May 1, 1886.
Tucker said the celebration will feature a formal dedication of the plaque, a grand re-opening for the remodeled Coal Museum, along with vendors and other activities. Grow Gillespie will be involved in the event, which is being promoted by the River Bend Tourism and Visitor Bureau, and other organizations.
PEACE CORPS ADVISORY BOARD
With the council’s consent, Mayor John Hicks appointed Ald. Tucker and Ald. Barrett as the council’s representative on a five-member advisory council to direct work undertaken by a Peace Corps Fellow being assigned to the City of Gillespie early next year for an 11-month contract.
A Peace Corps Fellow from Western Illinois University is expected to arrive next month and will live in Gillespie for the next 11 months to work with non-profit organizations such as Grow Gillespie and the Caring Center on community development projects. The city’s $5,000 commitment will be shared by the city and Grow Gillespie.
In a related matter, City Treasurer Dan Fisher announced that the state has approved a $1 million grant application submitted by the city to implement a streetscape improvement project developed by Grow Gillespie.
“In the past week, the City of Gillespie has been approved for $1,400,000 in state funds,” Fisher said. “That’s pretty good.”
RESTAURANT/BAR CLOSING ISSUE
Dave Link, owner of Lumpy’s bar and restaurant, appeared before the council to advocate enforcement of the Governor’s ban on indoor service at local bars and restaurants. The Governor imposed the ban last month in response to dramatic increases in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the region.
“I’ve been closed since Nov. 1,” Link said, noting that other hospitality businesses in the community have continued business as usual in spite of the ban. The Governor’s order allows outdoor dining and bar service only, or take-out food orders. “We’ve had 61 people die in Macoupin County. We have one business here having bands all the time.”
Link said the police chief told him there was nothing local authorities could do to enforce the ban
“It seems funny to me that Carlinville was able to go around and tell their restaurants and bars that they had to close down,” Link said. “I don’t understand why we can’t get out here and tell our places they can’t be open.”
He said he was told earlier that the council expected to hold a special meeting to address the issue, but that meeting never took place.
Link also criticized the County Board’s recent vote to eschew enforcement of the order in the County, saying the board lacked the courage “to back it’s own Public Health Department.”
“I don’t think it’s fair that we have one business owner who is responsible and closed down, and we have two others that are still open,” Ald. Fulton commented.
Ald. Bill Hayes noted that Springfield authorities forced offending businesses to close down and pay fines soon after the Governor’s order was issued.
Responding to a question from Ald. Dona Rauzi, Link said a rumor that it was easier for him to close down because he had received a mitigation grant to cover his expenses. “I have not applied for a grant and I have not received a grant,” he said.
Mayor Hicks suggested that he could send a letter to offending businesses advising them that he would “jerk their liquor license” if they continued to violate the Governor’s order. But he stopped short of confirming that he would actually send letters anytime soon.
“You can’t pound common sense into peoples’ heads,” Hicks said. “They don’t believe this is real. They don’t believe it until they actually get sick themselves.” In the meantime, Hicks said, restaurants in nearby Staunton are advertising that they are open for indoor dining.
Police Chief Jared DePoppe said the police department’s hands are tied. Police cannot enforce the Governor’s order without a city ordinance to back it up, he said. Link reported that Carlinville police did not threaten to arrest or cite restaurant and bar owners, but simply advised them of the order and asked them to comply.
WATER CONSTRUCTION COMPLAINTS
Link also was among several local residents questioning actions taken by Haier Plumbing and Heating as the city’s extensive water infrastructure replacement project nears completion.
“My understanding is that they’re finishing up a year ahead of schedule,” Link noted. “How much money is the city going to get back from Haier Plumbing for all the work our city workers have done?”
Fisher explained the council will consider the company’s final bill next month. Before that time, he said city officials and Haier representatives will meet to negotiate the final bill. He said the original contract did not include cleaning up properties after water lines were installed, leaving that responsibility for city workers. However, there are other issues that could reduce the size of Haier’s final payment—namely damages caused by Haier employees or contractors.
Chris Releford said he was among local property owners who sustained property damage in connection with the water infrastructure project. He said Haier replaced water lines at his residence on April 14 and, without his knowledge, severed his home’s sewer line. He told council members he was unaware of the damage until last month at which time he rented an eel to open the line.
In attempting to open the line, he said he discovered that backfill material had entered the damaged sewer line. He said he wanted to be reimbursed for seven months of sewer service and the cost of renting the eel.
“I was told I needed to make a claim against the company,” Releford said, adding that he did not want to wait for the city to negotiate a settlement with Haier. “My claim isn’t against the company, my claim is against the city.”
Ald. Jerry Dolliger said Releford’s experience was not unusual. Haier contractors damaged several residential sewers during the project. Each time, instead of repairing the damage, contractors “threw a bag of cement over the top and covered it up.”
At the Releford residence, Dolliger said city workers spent 48 hours finding and repairing the break. “That could all have been alleviated if they had said, ‘We hit your sewer,’ and fixed it right then,” Dolliger said.
“All we can do is submit your claim,” Hicks told Releford. “They (Haier) have insurance.”
Ald. Hayes, however, noted the city had preemptively paid other claims in recent months. “They damaged other sewers and we paid for them,” he said.
Ultimately, Releford was told that he needed to file a formal claim to be considered for reimbursement.
“Whether we pay for it or they do, you have to submit a claim form,” Fisher told Releford. “That’s the policy. As far as the time frame, we’re going to resolve all of these issues by early January.”
In addition to additional time put in by city workers, Dolliger said the Fire Department is “out about 250 hours.”
“We never sent them a bill,” Dolliger said. “Maybe we should look into that.”
City officials were more dismissive of a complaint lodged by Mike Polo, who farms a parcel on the west side of the city. He said shut-off valves previously were located below grade which allowed him to farm the land. When a new line was installed, he said, Haier located the shut-offs above ground.
Fisher said the above-ground shut-offs comply with current construction standards. A 59-year-old easement agreement, he said, “gives the city the right to install shut-offs in a manner” that complies with current construction standards.
Both Hicks and Fisher alleged Polo cleared and farmed a platted but undeveloped portion of Handy Street without the consent of the city.
“We’d like to be good neighbors and work with you but the bottom line is we have more of a claim against you for what you did to Handy Street than you have against us for what you’re alleging,” Fisher said.
Ald. Tucker asked if the shut-offs could be relocated below ground. Fisher said they could but doing so could make them vulnerable to damage from farming operations if someone were to plow too deep.
“Our obligation is to make the water system work right,” Fisher said. “Lots of farmers farm around above ground utilities.”
COUNCIL VOTES TO WAIVE PROPERTY LIEN
On a motion by Ald. Tucker, the council voted unanimously to draft an ordinance to conditionally release a lien against the property that formerly housed True-Value Hardware, and to give the Public Works Committee power to act on approving the ordinance later this month. The action ostensibly gave prospective buyer Bill Toprani assurance that he would not be responsible for the lien if he successfully negotiates a contract to purchase the building for his business.
The lien resulted from an unpaid portion of an Economic Development loan the city made to the former owners of the building.
“I think the feeling on the part of most council members is that if you were in there paying property taxes and sale taxes, that $3,500 would disappear in a heartbeat,” Mayor Hicks told Toprani. He added, however, that releasing the lien would require formal action on an ordinance.
Fisher told Toprani the ordinance would release the lien contingent upon Toprani developing the property as a going business concern.
No action followed an executive session called to discuss personnel and collective bargaining issues.
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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.
