Community News
Gillespie Council proposes payment schedule for East Gillespie, moves toward formal action to raise water rates
Matt Rolando, President of the M & M Shriners Club, makes a request to the Gillespie City Council to set aside a weekend in October for the organizations annual paper days fund raiser. Rolando set the event is basically the club’s only fund raiser and generates money to pay for transporting children to and from the Shriners Children’s Hospital. “It’s for a good cause,” he said.
With Ald. Dave Tucker filling in as Mayor Pro-Tem in the absence of Mayor John Hicks, members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday nigh approved on a proposed payment schedule for the Village of East Gillespie to pay its share of a water infrastructure project currently underway, and directed City Attorney Kevin Polo to prepare a draft ordinance to impose a water rate increase to take effect within the next few months.
Following a fairly extensive discussion the council voted to ask the Village of East Gillespie to pay $85,000 of its $115,000 obligation to the City of Gillespie, with the remaining $35,000 due at a later date, presumably upon completion of the water infrastructure project. The agreement is subject to approval by the East Gillespie Board of Trustees which also met on Monday night.
Earlier, East Gillespie Village President Larry Norville appeared before the council and expressed reservations about paying the entire $115,000 in one transaction. The Gillespie Council voted the previous month to send a $115,000 bill to the Village of East Gillespie in view of substantial completion of the water project within the village. An agreement between the two municipalities obligates East Gillespie for $115,000 as its total share of the project.
“I’m a little reluctant to pay the whole thing when we have tap-ons to be done and clean up,” Norville told the council. He also noted that an agreement between the city and village fails to address when and how the bill must be paid.
City Treasurer Dan Fisher agreed that the contract between Gillespie and East Gillespie fails to specify a payment schedule, but noted the council voted to bill the entire amount because of the city’s obligation to finish the project. “We’ve got large amounts of money going out,” he said, noting the city billed the entire $115,000 to “recoup some of that money that has been paid out.”
Norville, however, said the agreed-upon $115,000 covers installation of water mains as well as tap-ons that have not yet been completed. Fisher said the nearly installed mains probably won’t be pressurized until sometime next year. Final clean-up of damage created by the project may be two years away, Fisher said.
Norville then asked for a breakdown on the cost of water mains which have been completed vs. tap-ons which have not. Without providing exact figures, Fisher said water main installation represents about 65 percent of the project cost. The cost estimates the city has been paying to the contractor, he said, has been for work done to date which basically means the city has been paying for water main installation only. Fisher said the mains have been virtually finished in East Gillespie while the installation is just getting underway in Gillespie.
Fisher said its customary for customers for major construction projects to withhold five percent of the contract total pending completion and final acceptance of the project. He suggested that the village pay 95 percent of the bill.
“There’s a portion that is not finished,” Norville said when asked what he would like to recommend to his Village Board. “What I would probably recommend to them would be 65 or 70 percent.”
“I think we’re being wishy-washy,” said Ald. Wendy Rolando. “I think we need to give him a figure for him to take back to his committee.”
“Okay,” said Ald. Tucker, “let’s have you guys pay 65 percent, the same as us.”
Fisher calculated that 65 percent would factor out to about $85,000, leaving $30,000 to be paid at a later date. Ald. Rolando formalized that proposal in a motion, seconded by Ald. Rick Fulton, which was unanimously approved.
Also related to the water project, the council voted to direct City Attorney Polo to prepare a draft ordinance to increase the minimum consumer bill for water by $1.50 per month. Essentially a surcharge on monthly water bills, the additional $1.50 per month per customer is expected to raise enough additional revenue service $6 million in bond debt associated with the water infrastructure project. The Waterworks System Revenue Bonds were issued through the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program.
“We already have an estimate on how much we need to raise water rates by for the project,” Fisher said. “I think it would behoove us to have Kevin go ahead and draw up an ordinance to do that.” The interest rate for the bonds cannot be raised and is unlikely to go down before the city has to start repaying the debt. Fisher said the city will have spent the $6 million in bond revenue within the next few months, after which it will start spending down about $4 million in Rural Development grant funds.
“We should be finished with the Rural Development financing soon, and that’s the time we would need to raise rates,” Fisher said.
The council approved the recommendation on a motion by Ald. Dona Rauzi. The rate increase will not become effective until after the ordinance is presented to the council and approved.
Before adjourning, the council unanimously approved three resolutions authorizing payment of pay estimates submitted for work completed so far. Those payments included $406,812.07 to Haier Plumbing and Heating, the project’s general contractor; $12,611.22 to Curry and Associates for engineering work; and $764 to Kevin Polo for legal work done in conjunction with the project.
MEDICAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
The council referred to City Attorney Polo a proposal presented by Police Jared DePoppe to utilize the Macoupin County Public Health Department’s Maple Street Clinic to provide immunizations and other medical services for city employees and officials at a “greatly reduced cost.” DePoppe said it is especially important for police officers to be immunized against communicable diseases such as hepatitis because they sometimes are required to be in situations or in contact with people that could put them at risk of infection. DePoppe said he spoke with an MCPHD representative specifically about medical services for police personnel, but the services also would be available to Street and Water Department employees, as well as elected officials.
According to DePoppe, the clinic also could perform physicals and drug screenings. “I’m a big proponent of drug screenings,” he said. He said MCPHD already has agreements with other municipalities in the county to provide vaccinations, physicals and other services.
For emergency services after the clinic’s regular hours, police could still obtain testing and other services at area hospitals, DePoppe said. He provided a copy of a proposed contract to Polo for review.
In lieu of the contract, Polo said “I think we really should write this as an intergovernmental agreement.” He said some areas covered in the contract deal with issues the city recently renegotiated with the Fraternal Order of Police. He said he would contact FOP representatives to make sure the union has not objections.
Polo is expected to write an intergovernmental agreement to be presented to the council for action at a later date.
MINI-EXCAVATOR COMMENT SPARKS DISCUSSION
An off-the-cuff comment by Ald. Fulton about the possibility of purchasing a mini-excavator sparked a lengthy discussion by City Treasurer Fisher about the need to identify the means to pay for such purchases before proposing them. Fulton said he had watched city workers using a mini-excavator in conjunction with the water infrastructure project and indicated it would be a wise purchase for he city in the future.
“We don’t have a way to pay for that,” Fisher declared, adding that aldermen should discuss ways to finance a proposed purchase in committee before proposing the purchase during a regular meeting of the council. “You have to come up with A, B and C before you propose D.”
Fulton defended himself, saying he was not making a formal proposal but simply a casual observation.
PROPOSED RULE FOR OLD LAKE
The council referred to committee a proposal to set a 25 mile per hour speed limit on Old Gillespie Lake. Currently, the lake is a “no wake” lake which effectively bans the use of outboard motors.
Lake Manager Gary Thornhill said he and other workers recently undertook cleaning up the swimming area and found portions of the lake moss covered and choked with duckweed.
“We need to start stirring up the Old Lake,” he said, adding that allowing outboard motors would facilitate water movement and impeded weed growth.
He said he did some research and found that the No Wake rule was never approved by the council, nor was it imposed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
“The rule was created by some individuals who worked out there who no longer work for the city,” he said.
CIVIC CENTER ROOF
No action followed an extensive discussion led by Ald. Rauzi regarding the condition of the Civic Center roof. She said the city recently paid $200 to patch a leak but during recent rainfalls the roof continued to leak in other areas. She said she went up on the roof with the contractor and saw that the roof has multiple holes and is likely to continue leaking until it is replaced.
“We’ve got to do something,” she said. “We can’t keep putting it off. We charge people the same rate (to rent the hall). What are we going to do? Hand them an umbrella?”
Both Rauzi and Rolando noted that the city is likely to get complaints if a wedding party or other renter decorates the hall prior to an event only to have the decorations ruined by leaks. They also said the city could face serious liability claims if someone falls and is injured because of water on the floor.
“I would say the same thing I said before,” Fisher commented. “Come up with a way to pay for it first.”
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Voted unanimously to hire Jared Link for a utility position at the Water Treatment Plant for a 40-hour work week at a base rate of pay. Link will fill a vacancy created several years ago.
- Approved an ordinance to commence work on updating the City Code Book.
- Set the date for the annual city-sponsored Senior Christmas Dinner for Sunday, Dec. 8.
- Agreed to co-sponsor a Grow Gillespie 5K Walk/Race set for Saturday, Aug. 31, at a cost of $100. The race will follow the same route as the Black Diamond Days 5K. United Community Bank and Ageless Fitness and Apparel are major sponsors for the event.
- Agreed to permit the M & M Shrine Club to conduct its annual paper drive on either the third or fourth weekend of October and to tentatively make the date a permanent date in coming years.
- Voted to transfer lake lot leases for 372C to Bill and Jolene Mermis, Alton, and for 368 to Diane Martinez and George Letford, Collinsville.
- Approved purchase of chlorine scales for the Water Treatment Plant at a cost of $5,082 and a Ph meter at a cost of $834.
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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.
