Community News
Gillespie Council authorizes lawsuit against water infrastructure contractor
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to authorize City Attorney Rick Verticchio to send a notice of the city’s intention to sue to Haier Plumbing and Heating, Okawville, the general contractor for the city’s $10 million water infrastructure improvement project completed nearly two years ago.
The action followed a 15-minute executive session to discuss legal issues.
The potential lawsuit stems from the company’s alleged failure to pay more than $32,700 in property damage claims stemming from Haier’s work in Gillespie. Verticchio told the BenGil Post that Haier’s insurer paid three or four claims totaling about $3,000, but stopped making payments when claims apparently exceeded expectations. Six pending claims remain unpaid.
The largest of the pending claims amounts to about $22,000 filed by Adam Kilduff whose home was extensively damaged when his basement was flooded with raw sewage. Kilduff appeared before the council early during Monday night’s council meeting to complain about the delay in obtaining reimbursement for his claim.
Kilduff said his home sustained extensive damage when a work crew severed a sewer line, causing raw sewage to flood his finished basement. He said he has photographs of himself, Mike Ranger and a Ranger employee wearing hip boots and standing in two feet of raw sewage that flooded his basement. While the sewer line was repaired and sewage was removed from the basement, repairs to the finished basement remain undone pending a settlement.
“I just want to get this straightened out,” he said. “Here I am up here almost three years later with the same problem.”
He said his claim was $15,000 when he first filed but has ballooned to $22,000 because of recent increases in lumber prices.
Verticchio told Kilduff the council planned to address the issue later in executive session to determine “how much, if any, they are willing to pay.” Initial claims were paid by the city and later reimbursed by Haier.
Notifying Haier of the city’s intent to sue is a first step toward actually filing a lawsuit against the company. The city’s contention is that Haier is obligated by contract to pay the damage claims. If the issue progresses to a lawsuit, the suit presumably will seek a judgment sufficient to pay the pending claims.
ALDERPERSONS SWORN IN
Before addressing agenda items, newly elected and re-elected council members were sworn in and seated, including newly elected Ward 2 Ald. Dave Link. Verticchio administered the oath of office, using his mother’s Bible for the ceremony, to Link, and re-elected council members Ald. Wendy Rolando, Ald. Dona Rauzi and Ald. Billy Hayes.
Link, who defeated challenger Bryan Waggoner 76-53 in the Consolidated Election last month, steps into a seat vacated by Rick Fulton who chose to not seek re-election.
Hayes was re-elected to represent Ward 3 and Rolando was elected to represent Ward 4, both without opposition, while Rauzi defeated challenger Jared Link, 108-53, to represent Ward 1.
NEW POLICE OFFICER HIRED
On the recommendation of Police Chief Jared DePoppe, the council voted unanimously to hire Elijah Dannebrink, Staunton, as a full-time police officer. The council previously voted to pay for Dannebrink’s Police Academy training, which DePoppe said the candidate completed on Monday.
Earlier in the meeting, as alderpersons reviewed the monthly police report, Chief DePoppe noted an increase in overtime expenditures due in part to having only two full-time officers on the roster. Dannebrink’s hiring brings the number of full-time officers to three.
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
Council members voted unanimously to declare three properties located at 606 East Chestnut Street, 301 Spruce Street and 1200 South Macoupin Street as public nuisances. The action authorizes City Attorney Verticchio to send notices to the property owners demanding they abate the nuisances within a specified period of time.
Ald. Razzi praised Verdicchio for his work in helping the city clean up derelict properties over the past year since becoming the City Attorney.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to do,” Rauzi said. She said five derelict houses have been torn down or are in the process of being torn down. The city has acquired three properties as a result of condemnation proceedings.
“People are paying attention now,” she said. “We have a lot of work to do, but we’ve made a lot of progress. This has all been since Rick came on as City Attorney and I can’t thank him enough.”
FOOD TRUCK ORDINANCE
With two dissenting votes, the council approved an amendment to a recently implemented ordinance governing food truck operations in the city. The amendment clarifies the fee structured to denote that food truck vendors must pay an initial fee of $100 which covers four days of operation, plus $25 for each additional day in excess of four.
Ald. Rolando and Ald. Landon Pettit voted against the amendment, ostensibly over objections to the fee structure.
Earlier in the meeting, food truck operator Grace VanDoren approached the council with an objection to the fee structure. She indicated she would like to set up in Gillespie more often but has found the fee exorbitant. Carlinville, she said, charges no fee whatsoever, while other surrounding communities charge fees that are more lenient.
“It’s deterring businesses like mine,” she said.
Ald. Pettit seemed to agree with VanDoren’s objections.
“I did some math here,” he told the council. “If she set up five days a week, 52 weeks a year, she’d be paying us $6,500. That’s ridiculous.”
“If you want to reassess, you’d have to go back and rescind the ordinance,” Mayor John Hicks told the council, “which can be done.”
SURPLUS PROPERTY BIDS
With one dissenting vote and two aldermen voting “present,” the council agreed to accept a high bid of $2,000 from Mike Bellovich for a city-owned lot located behind the Superbowl bowling alley. Superbowl owner, Harold Besserman, had asked the city to sell the property with the intention of using it to erect a solar panel field to provide some of the electrical power for his business. Bellovich, however, bested Besserman’s bid of $100 for the parcel.
There was a moment of confusion when newly seated Ald. Link moved to accept Besserman’s bid.
“You realize you’re selling to the substantially lower bidder?” Verticchio questioned.
Link then clarified that he intended to make his motion to sell to the higher bidder.
Brought to a vote, the motion passed with Ald. Rolando voting “no,” and Ald Pettit and Ald. Frank Barrett both voting “present.”
In a somewhat related matter, Rolando reported she is compiling a list of surplus equipment that potentially could be offered for sale via sealed bids. She asked city department heads to review equipment currently owned by the city to document which pieces of equipment are no longer being used.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE SWING
Before the meeting adjourned, the council unanimously approved Ald. Rolando’s motion authorizing the Mayor to sign a check to pay for a concrete slab to install a donated wheelchair-accessible swing in the playground at Big Brick Park.
Early in the meeting, Tyler Link, representing HEIDI (Helping Every Individual Develop Independence), addressed the council about the status of the swing the organization donated to the city two years ago. Link said he had checked several times about plans to install the swing but had gotten a “run around” from city officials.
“I’m going to be blunt,” Link said. “This was two years ago and it’s still in the shed. Can we have it back? We have other municipalities that would be glad to take it.”
Mayor Hicks said the city had delayed installation as the city considered a larger renovation project for the park which would include the swing. Ald. Rolando said there also had been issues with finding money in the budget to cover the $2,000 estimated cost of installing a concrete pad for the equipment. At one point, money set aside for the swing was diverted to a sewer project, she noted.
More recently, however, a Darts for Kids event raised money for the project. While that money has not yet come to the city, according to Rolando, it will be enough to pay for the installation.
Link accepted Rolando’s commitment to get the swing installed when the Darts for Kids donation comes to the city.
FIBER OPTIC ISSUES
While taking no formal action, the council discussed at length issues arising from the installation of fiber optic cable in Gillespie, and issues with disconnected water customers restoring connection on their own.
Ald. Bob Fritz said the company installing the cable has been causing problems in the city, including property damage and other problems. Street Department Supervisor Dale Demke said there are areas where the company has installed the cable over the top of city water lines. In some places, the line has been installed between the shut-off valves for fire hydrants, some of which are slated to be relocated as part of the upcoming Streetscape project.
Ald. Rauzi said she was able to track down the head of the company, who agreed communication has been an issue with the installation in Gillespie. She asked aldermen to give her a list of problem areas which she can then convey to the company. Rauzi said the representative she spoke to claimed to have provided the city with a contract but no one has apparently seen the contract. As of Monday night, Rauzi said, she had not received a copy of the contract that was promised to her.
The cable installation is part of a federal project to expand broadband services to rural areas, meaning the city cannot collect franchise fees on the service. Despite the federal involvement, however, the city should be in a position to assign easements and otherwise ensure the installation does not result in property damage nor interfere with city services.
Ald. Fritz also noted a problem with disconnected water customers reconnecting their services without authorization. Tampering with a water meter, he noted, is prohibited by city ordinance and can result in a $300 fine. He urged more diligence in pursuing legal action against persons who reconnect water services that have been disconnected.
“Plus they are stealing water,” Verticchio added, noting that violators could be referred to the States Attorney’s office for criminal charges.
Water Plant Operator Dave Pickett said city workers could put a lock on meters when services are disconnected, but he cautioned against removing the meter.
“I don’t want to start yanking meters,” Pickett told the council. “Some of these people are ‘frequent flyers,’ if you know what I mean.” Repeatedly removing and reinstalling meters could lead to mechanical malfunctions down the road.
Mayor Hicks reported that the former Street Department shed has been razed but the former Police Department building remains standing and could be salvaged.
“I believe it’s worth saving,” Hicks said.
The building had a shared wall with the city shed, which would need to be replaced to make the building weather tight and a short retaining wall would need to be replaced. Following the meeting, several council members went to the site to look at the building and assess its potential for salvage.
In other action, the council voted to donate $500 to the Black Diamond Days Committee to help pay for bands to perform during the festival, set for the first weekend of June at Gillespie Lake.
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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.
