Community News
Gillespie Council approves zoning change for solar power field
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Tuesday night voted 7-1 to approve a zoning change to accommodate a proposed solar field project on the east side of the city. The 45-acre project site, located off Washer Road, technically is outside the corporate limits but falls within a 1.5-mile buffer zone subject to city zoning.
The regular monthly meeting was switched from Monday to Tuesday because of the Columbus Day holiday.
Acting upon the recommendation of the Zoning Board, the council approved an ordinance changing the property’s designation from “open spaces” to “conditional use.” The conditional use designation allows the city to approve projects on a case-by-case basis, as opposed to “permitted use,” which would allow any entity to develop a project on the project as long as they had a proper permit. Conditional use requires a hearing before the Zoning Board during which the applicant must present evidence regarding the nature of the project and how the project will benefit the community. That hearing was held before the Zoning Board two weeks ago, after which the board voted unanimously to recommend reclassifying the property.
Jim Griffin, representing Cypress Creek Renewables, told the council Monday night that the proposed solar field will generate electricity that will go onto the Ameren power grid. Local residents can become subscribers, which will save them an estimated 10 percent on their monthly power bills.
“It will bring significant economic benefits,” Griffin said, “and it will bring additional tax dollars for local taxing bodies.”
The project is part of the state’s solar energy initiative authorized by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which became law two years ago. The legislation sets a target of meeting 50 percent of the state’s energy needs with renewable energy sources by 2040, and establishes a 10-year ramp-up to build a network of community solar projects capable of generating five megawatts each.
Having cleared the zoning hurdle, the proposed project will need state approval before construction begins.
Letitia Lew, a Cypress Creek engineer overseeing the project, said the proposed project site is located on the south side of Washer Road on the east side of the city. The estimated $10 million project will generate enough electricity for about 1,100 homes.
Previously released information indicates Cypress Creek plans to spend about $4 million locally during construction and provide about 21 prevailing wage jobs. When the system is up and running, Cypress Creek estimates it will contribute $40,000 a year to the local economy.
The expected lifespan of the project is 40 years, after which the developers are obligated to remove solar panels and infrastructure—essentially returning the site to it’s original condition.
The council accepted the Zoning Board’s recommendation on a motion by Ald. Bob Fritz, seconded by Ald. Bill Hayes. Ald. Wendy Rolando cast the sole negative vote. Rolando offered no reason for her vote but hers was one of two votes cast against the project in
June when Cypress Creek first approached the city for a hearing before the Zoning Board.
CATS, CATS, CATS
Ald. Rolando pledged to reach out to 4 Paws 4 Rescue, a St. Louis-based no-kill animal shelter, after three residents complained to the council about a proliferation of feral cats in their neighborhood. Bonnie Robinson, a resident of the neighborhood located two blocks east of Macoupin Street on Maple Street, said 15 to 20 cats were left behind at a house in the neighborhood when the tenants moved away. She said she has since heard that another family plans to move into the area with another 15 or more cats.
Robinson said the cats have not been neutered or vaccinated, pose a health hazard and are reproducing.
“No one is taking care of them,” said Tina Whitfield, another neighbor. “The whole neighborhood smells of cat poop.” Young children, she said, cannot play in sandboxes outside because of the cat waste.
Mayor John Hicks said feral cats are a problem in other parts of the city as well. “I can sympathize with your problem,” he said, adding that some people exacerbate the issue by regularly feeding strays. He said he once proposed trapping and neutering stray cats to preclude them from breeding and expanding the population.
Ald. Rolando noted that city ordinances limit the number of cats a resident can maintain but that ordinance will not address the issue of stray cats. Adopt-A-Pet animal shelter in Benld is filled to capacity, she said, as are other no-kill shelters in the immediate area. Additionally, Macoupin County Animal Control has implemented a policy of responding to municipal complaints only when a single animal has been identified as a threat to public safety.
Responding to a suggestion from another resident at the meeting, Rolando said she would contact 4 Paws 4 Rescue to see if they would accept cats for shelter and adoption. If a facility can be found, the city can then begin a program to trap and remove feral cats in the neighborhood.
“I have nothing against cats,” Robinson said. “I have something against 20 or 30 cats.”
SPECIAL MEETING
Council members agreed to meet in special session at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18, to consider a new contract with the Fraternal Order of Police, as well as a memorandum of understanding extending Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund benefits to all city employees.
City Attorney Rick Verticchio said the city’s negotiating committee reached an agreement with the police union but copies of the new contract had not yet been provided to all members of the council. He said the council could schedule a special meeting after the bull council had an opportunity to review the contract or it could simply vote to accept the recommendation of the negotiating committee. The negotiating committee included Verticchio, City Treasurer Dan Fisher, Chief of Police Jared DePoppe and aldermen Dona Rauzi and Bill Hayes.
When council members started to ask specific questions about provisions of the contract, Verticchio reiterated his opinion that it would be more practical to hold a special meeting.
The new contract, when approved, will cover police officers and dispatchers. It will be retroactive to Jan. 1 and will remain in effect until May 31, 2025.
A provision of the contract will allow police department employees to participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. IMRF rules preclude the city from offering that option to only one classification of employees. Consequently, the council will consider during the special meeting a memorandum extending the IMFR option to all employees.
Ald. Rauzi said she may also present a recommendation during the special meeting for a caterer to cater the city’s annual Seniors Christmas Dinner on Dec. 3.
No action followed a 15-minute executive session requested by Ald. Rauzi to discuss real estate.
THREE-WAY STOP INTERSECTION
Over the objection of Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller, the council approved an ordinance to make the intersection of South Street and Chestnut Street a three-way stop. The intersection currently is a one-way stop, with yield signs for the other two approaches.
“The problem is people don’t yield,” Mayor Hicks said.
“There seems to be a lot of stop signs going up in this part of town (pointing northwest) and not so much in this part (pointing southwest),” Ald. Mueller said. “You don’t put up stop signs for speed control. You need to have a traffic study done to decide where you really need a stop sign.”
Mayor Hicks, however, pointed out the Police Department concurred with the need to make the intersection a three-way stop.
Brought to a vote on a motion by Ald. Landon Pettit, the measure was approved on a 7-1 vote.
“What Jan brought up is absolutely correct,” Treasurer Fisher commented after the vote. “You can’t use stop signs for speed control. We probably do need to tap the brakes on adding stop signs just because someone requested one.”
HALLOWEEN EVENT INSURANCE
After a sometimes heated exchange, the council voted 6-2 to subsidize the cost of liability insurance for a Halloween event planned at Gillespie Lake. The Spooky Halloween Fright is set for Friday evening, Oct. 20, and all day on Saturday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 28. Theresa Pettit, who is planning the event along with several other lake residents, approached the council in August to ask the city’s permission to hold the event on city-controlled property.
At that time, the council voted to waive a $20 permit fee for participating vendors but stopped short of authorizing the event until the sponsors could provide proof of insurance. Pettit went into some detail regarding her search for an insurance policy, including consideration of adding the event to the city’s policy for an additional cost. She brought documentation to show she found a policy with a premium of $411, which she acquired in her name and submitted a request for the city to reimburse the cost of the policy.
City Attorney Verticchio and some aldermen, however, objected to Pettit having apparently distributed fliers identifying the event as a city-sponsored event. Verticchio said the council told Pettit last month that the group would need to get its own insurance for the activities but did not agree to any kind of sponsorship.
“I don’t know how you could leave that meeting thinking the city was sponsoring this event,” Verticchio said. “Yet, you have fliers all over town saying the city is sponsoring this event.”
Pettit agreed the fliers were in error. The sponsoring group was under the impression the city would reimburse them for the insurance. At other events when the city or other donors have subsidized specific aspects of activity, the sponsoring group has posted signs saying a particular band or attraction was “sponsored by” whoever provided the money. She characterized it as a courtesy to acknowledge donors. She told council members that any future fliers would eliminate any mention of city sponsorship.
“I think it’s a moot point,” Ald. Rolando said. “Next year, we will know the protocol.”
Ald. Hayes said he saw no difference between providing money for insurance and providing money for a band, which is a fairly common practice for the council. Fisher agreed, saying that the city occasionally donates $500 to an organization that can be used to hire a band but that does not mean the city is a sponsor of the event.
Brought to a vote, the council approved the expenditure with Ald. Dave Link and Ald. Rauzi voting “no.” Ald. Pettit, son of Theresa Pettit, voted “present.” In addition to vendors, the event will feature bounce houses, games and crafts for kids, a chili cook-off, a wings cook-off, a fishing tournament, bonfires, and a “haunted” trail. There will be a cakewalk, best costume contests and a best decorated campsite contest. Additional activities include a scavenger hunt, pumpkin decorating, raffles, 50/50 drawings, a trunk or treat event and a costumed Halloween parade.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Mayor Hicks appointed an ad hoc committee to make a recommendation regarding the type of background checks the city would require for potential lake lot renters. Previously, persons seeking to enter into a lake lot lease were subject to a “soft” background check that could be completed in a few minutes online. More recently, city officials demanded a more detailed check conducted through the Illinois State Police.
Lake Committee Chair Ald. Frank Barrett said the more detailed checks were taking up to three months to get back, creating unreasonable delays in approving lease applicants.
“I don’t know why this is even being changed,” said Lake Manager Gary Thornhill. He said he checked with surrounding municipalities and discovered most of them require no background check at all. “In their lease, it states that if the police are called out to their cabin, their lease will be terminated.”
“So they just wait until there is a problem?” Mayor Hicks asked. “I think it would be better to find out if there is a problem before rather than after.”
Barrett lobbied to return to soft background checks. “We’ve only had a handful of problems,” he said, “and we were able to get rid of those ourselves.”
Hicks appointed Barrett, Thornhill and Police Chief DePoppe to work on a recommendation to bring back to the council.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Set trick-or-treating hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 30 and 31.
- Approved installation of a total of four street lights at Gillespie Lake and the Welfare Park ballfields.
- Formally approved a resolution amending the lake lot lease agreement for full- and part-time residents, setting the monthly rental fee at the same level. The changes means part-time residents can use their lots for short-term stays throughout the year instead of limiting their use to the spring-fall season.
- Formally approved an ordinance amendment incorporating new rules regarding the operation of golf carts within the city limits. The changes require golf carts to be equipped with seatbelts and reduces the legal age of operators from 18 to 16, provided the operator has a valid driver’s license.
- Approved payment of $1,159 from the Tax Increment Finance Fund to Poggenpohl Redi-Mix, Carlinville.
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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.
