Community News
Gillespie Council recognizes police officers, EMTs, hears financial report from city auditors
Gillespie police officers and Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service paramedics were recognized for their efforts to save the life of an individual. Pictured J.O. Kelly, Mark Hayes, Blake Hayes, Tyler Link, Chief Jared DePoppe, Detective Laurie Gerdes, Justin Klopmeier and Jeff Schoen. (photo/Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service)
Gillespie police officers and Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service paramedics were recognized during a meeting of the Gillespie City Council Tuesday night for their efforts to save the life of an individual who suffered a cardiac arrest while police were responding to a routine police call. Council members also heard a brief report regarding the city’s annual financial report and tabled a proposed ordinance to allow golf cart use on city streets.
Police Chief Jared DePoppe presented lifesaving medals to officers Justin Klopmeier and Jeff Schoen to be placed on their uniforms in recognition of their actions to save the victim’s life after they responded to a police call on Sept. 25.
DePoppe said that anyone who has served as a police officer for any period time has probably saved someone’s life but those actions are seldom confirmed medically.
“Occasionally, an officer will do something and it’s actually backed up medically, and when that happens we like to recognize them,” DePoppe said. He recounted a police call in late September to which Klopmeier and Schoen responded. “It was not a medical call, it was a police call,” he said. “While the officers were there it became a medical call.”
An individual on the scene went into cardiac arrest, prompting Klopmeier to start CPR until an ambulance could arrive. Once the ambulance arrived, Schoeon was able to operate the ambulance, freeing up paramedics to work on the patient and get the patient to the hospital.
“The doctor told us it was what’s called a ‘clinical save,’ meaning that if the officers had not done what they did, the subject would have more than likely passed,” DePoppe said. “When we can prove that medically, we like to recognize the officers who were involved.”
Ambulance Service Director Josh Ross also addressed the council to recognize not only Klopmeier and Schoen but also the paramedics who responded to the incident: Mark Hayes, Blake Hayes, Tyler Link and J.O. Kelly.
“Statistically, in an instance of cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting, the chances of survival is only 10.6 percent, meaning that for nine out of ten the chances of survival are not good,” he said. “The best chance of survival is early and good CPR by people who are trained to do it, and that is what happened here. The patient was in cardiac arrest, we followed our protocols and he is alive today. He’s been released from the hospital with no neurological damage or other residual effects. That is an exception, not the rule.”
The manufacturer of the ZOLL heart monitor used during the incident provided certificates of recognition for Ross to present to the Police Department and the paramedics. In addition, the paramedics received a “challenge coin” from ZOLL.
“This was a total team effort,” Ross said. “We work together all the time. This is the very best our community has to offer and I’m happy to recognize them. One of my favorite quotes is from Abraham Lincoln, ‘Next to creating a life, the finest thing a man can do is to save one,’ and that’s what these gentlemen did.”
Brenda Masters-Stout, an accountant with Fleming and Tawfall, CPAs, provided a brief summary of the city’s annual financial report to be submitted to the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. The final audit report offers a clean opinion regarding the city’s accounting practices, but Masters-Stout again encouraged the city to adopt a computerized accounting system in lieu of manual accounting.
“Krystal (Norville) does a wonderful job,” she said, but the manual accounting system complicates the auditors’ job considerably. Adopting QuickBooks or some other electronic accounting system probably would not reduce the city’s cost for the audit, but Masters-Stout said her firm may increase their price next year because the city’s audit is so time-consuming. She said an electronic accounting system would streamline practices in the city office and free up time for other duties. “Right now, if you want to look up something, Krystal is probably the only one who can find it.” Clerical workers might be frustrated with a new system for the first few weeks, she said, “but I think they will like it.”
Fisher said the city already has approved going to an electronic system but has not made a decision to buy a program. He said they have to be careful to ensure that whatever system is chosen will be compatible with other programs such as the water department’s remote meter reading software.
Masters-Stout said a summary of the financial report shows a cash balance of $744,717 in the city’s governmental funds, down from $990,197 at the end of the previous fiscal year.
“Your cash has gone down, but that is primarily because you had to pay back your Revolving Loan Fund to DCEO. You had to pay back $318,000 so your cash took quite a hit. When you back that out, you were actually ahead by $160,000.”
The Water Department fund ended the year with $250,000 cash on hand, while the Sewer Department showed a loss on paper of $106,000. The Sewer Department loss, however, was due primarily to depreciation, Masters-Stout said. Without $100,000 in depreciation, the Sewer Department’s loss was about “break even.”
Masters-Stout commended the city on its water infrastructure improvement program. “I know there may have been some controversy about it, but it is a wonderful thing.”
GOLF CART ORDINANCE TABLED
An ordinance that would allow the use of golf carts on city streets was tabled after council members disagreed on the permit fee, the minimum age for golf cart users and other issues. City Attorney Polo had prepared an ordinance proposal based on what he believed to be committee recommendations. That proposal called for a $150 permit fee and set 21 as the minimum age for golf cart users in the city limits.
Ald. Barrett said there is an ordinance allowing golf carts in residential areas at Gillespie Lake, but it only requires users to have a valid driver’s license. “I’d like to keep them the same.” He also objected to the fee structure, saying $150 is “awfully steep.”
The proposed ordinance would allow golf carts to be used on city streets only and excludes their use on state highways.
“The state is very specific about how we have to intersect with state highways,” Polo said. “That’s why there is a lot of additional language in there.” To finalize a proposed ordinance for the December meeting, however, he said he needed a decision on the minimum age for drivers as well as a permit fee. Further discussion revealed disagreement about whether permits would be valid for one year from the date of purchase or be issued on the basis of the calendar year.
Permitted golf carts would have to be equipped with minimal equipment to essentially make them street-worthy. Those amenities include a horn, turn signals, a windshield and seat belts.
“They’re basically like a car,” said resident Roger Hamlin. He said he has a golf cart permitted for use at Hillsboro’s city lake. Since he has a campground permit, he said he also is permitted to operate the vehicle in the city of Hillsboro.
“Why do we need to have golf carts?” asked Ald. Rolando. She said her family has more than one car and when she wants to go somewhere, she gets in a vehicle and drives. “Why can’t you just drive a car to get where you want to go?”
“Because I don’t want to,” Hamlin responded. He offered to load his cart onto a trailer and bring it to the council to see what kind of equipment it has to meet Hillsboro’s permit requirements.
Resident Bob Fulton said he has a scooter to get around town for short trips, but that he would prefer to use a golf cart. “I like them better than a scooter,” he said. “You’ve got four wheels under you.”
Neither Hamlin nor Fulton had objections to the fee structure, indicating that individuals who could afford a specially equipped golf cart for street use could probably afford the fee.
Ald. Tucker moved to write the ordinance with a minimum age of 16 and a $100 fee. He rescinded the motion, however, when further discussion made it clear there was no consensus on those details.
Brenda Masters-Stout, an accountant with Fleming and Tawfall, CPAs, provided a brief summary of the city’s annual financial report to be submitted to the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office.
Fisher commented that allowing residents to comment during the discussion was unusual for most city councils. “Under our rules of procedures, guests would not be allowed to enter into the discussion after the public comment period,” he said. “If we absolutely followed the rules, this wouldn’t happen. As a group, though, we have a history of getting opinions from other people and getting opinions from the public. There’s more to engaging with the public than what goes in the newspapers.”
Ultimately, the issue was referred back to committee to hammer out details with an eye toward presenting the ordinance again during the December council meeting.
ADA COMPLIANCE AT CIVIC CENTER
Following a report by Ald. Dona Rauzi, the council also deferred action on taking steps to bring the Civic Center into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Bringing city buildings into compliance with the Act are among the conditions of the city’s loan agreement with the USDA to finance the ongoing water infrastructure improvement project.
Rauzi said interior doors in the Civic Center and City Hall have to be equipped with lever handles in lieu of knobs. Replacing the hardware will cost in the neighborhood of $3,100, she said. The city also will be required to install signage with braille on public restrooms, and six exterior doors will have to replaced with 10-inch glass transoms at the top.
“These are things we are going to have to do in the future,” Rauzi said. “I’d like to get approval for at least the locks and levers.”
Mayor Hicks, however, noted that plans are underway to remodel restrooms to make them ADA-compliant and that would be a more appropriate time to change door handles. That way, the door handles could be part of the remodeling bids.
“I’d like to wait until we get pushed a little,” he said. “I think we could do that.”
No action was taken on the issue, but Rauzi expressed some consternation about the council’s change of direction on the matter. She said she spent considerable time researching the issue and obtaining the prices. The same thing happened, she said, when she researched options and pricing for repairing the Civic Center roof.
“I wish you would just make up your mind,” she said.
COAL MUSEUM/LIBRARY HVAC PROJECTS
Council members voted unanimously to pay half of the $15,511 project cost to install a furnace and new flooring at the Illinois Coal Museum, located in the former United Community Bank building downtown. The project total includes a $7,090 bid from Reid Heating and Cooling, Gillespie, to install heating equipment. The building is owned by the city and it was pointed out that the improvements essentially will enhance the value of city-owned property. Ald. DaveTucker, a member of the Coal Museum Board of Directors, abstained from the vote.
Council members split, however, when it came to approving half of the $9,953 cost to install a new furnace at the City Public Library. Fisher pointed out that the library building is owned by the city, although the Library Board controls the administration of the library operation. Ald. Barrett, however, objected to the expenditure citing the Library Board’s failure to secure multiple bids. He said head librarian Steve Joyce told the committee the library had been without heat for two weeks. “There should have been more than one bid,” he said.
Tucker said the vendor was the same vendor who submitted the low bid for the Coal Museum project and that the company historically has been the low bidder on other projects.
Ald. Bill Hayes moved to pay half of the cost for the library, with a second from Ald. Rolando. Brought to a vote, the measure was approved 4-2 with Ald. Barrett and Ald. Jerry Dolliger voting no. Tucker, a member of the Library Board, abstained.
Mayor Hicks also opened bids for a remodeling project at the city police station which will expand the area for police dispatchers and reduce the space allotted for a public waiting area, but the council deferred action on awarding the contract until December to give the City Treasurer time to identify funds to pay for the project. HHH Construction was the low bidder at $9,600. One other bid in the amount of $10,240 was received from Watson Construction.
SOLAR PROJECT PAYMENT
On a motion by Ald. Rolando, the council unanimously authorized final payment of $406,350 to Illinois Solar, pending completion of a final checklist to accept the project, for work done to provide and install a controversial solar panel field to supply power for the city’s water treatment plant. City Treasurer Dan Fisher said he did not foresee any issues with accepting the project since it already is in operation.
“The work appears to be done and it is up and working,” Fisher said.
In a related matter, the council authorized the expenditure of funds to have city engineers Curry and Associates develop plans and bidding specifications for a chain link fence to surround the solar field. Homeowner George Link, who appeared before the council on two occasions to complain about the location of the solar field, reportedly concurred with the plan to screen the view of the project from his home. The city also plans to contract with Layne Knoche to develop landscaping around the solar field to further improve its appearance.
While apparently having conceded his fight to relocate the solar field, Link appeared briefly to suggest that the city start a website or take other steps to improve communication with constituents about council activities. A key component of his complaint against the solar field was that he was unaware of the site selection until construction started and that he could find no reference in minutes of the council meetings that any vote was taken to approve the location.
A well-maintained website would allow residents to receive updates on city projects and other issues, Link said.
Mayor Hicks rejected the idea of establishing a website primarily because of the additional workload it would place on the shoulders of the City Clerk.
“I think the best way (to stay abreast of city business) is to do what you’re doing—come to the meetings,” Hicks said. “It’s not a closed society. Our meetings are open to the public and our committee meetings are open, too.”
From the meeting minutes he acquired, Link said it appeared the decision to locate the solar field across the street from Link’s home was left to Fisher. “Everything went back to Dan,” Link said. “To me that’s not the job of the Treasurer.”
Fisher has said in the past that the decision on locating the solar field was made in consultation with city engineers and representatives of Illinois Solar who determined the lot adjacent to the water plant was the optimum location.
“I think some of it is that we trust Dan’s judgment because of his past experience,” Ald. Rauzi told Link.
Apparently with an eye toward better communication with the public, Hicks asked the council to think about an electronic sign to be erected near City Hall to advise residents about upcoming events, upcoming council meetings and emergency situations such as a recent city-wide boil order.
“It would get messages to people,” Hicks said of the proposal, noting that a similar sign at Community Unit School District 7 cost about $25,000.
Fisher said such a sign might be able to be incorporated into a downtown streetscape program being promoted by Grow Gillespie, in which case the cost of the sign would be eligible for partial grant funding.
In a somewhat related matter, Mayor Hicks collected cell phone numbers from each of the aldermen to facilitate a group messaging system at the request of Ald. Hayes. Hayes said he was unaware of the recent city-wide boil order resulting from a water main break until he heard about it from other customers at the Dollar General store. With a group text message, Hicks said the city will be able to reach out to all alderman simultaneously with important messages.
MFT RESOLUTION
On the recommendation of City Treasurer Fisher the council unanimously approved a resolution to be filed by Jan. 1 with the Illinois Department of Transportation to appropriate $250,000 in Motor Fuel Tax funds for next years street maintenance program.
“We don’t know that we will do that much work,” Fisher said, adding that one of the issues the city will have to address is the ongoing water infrastructure improvement project which is likely to play a role in determining which streets will be resurfaced.
Responding to a question from Ald. Tucker, Fisher said the resolution to appropriate funds for expenditure has to be approved on an annual basis, the funds in the Motor Fuel Tax account can roll over from one year to the next. The state allots Motor Fuel Tax funds to municipalities on a monthly basis and unexpended funds at the end of the year remain in the account, allowing the account to accumulate larger balances over time.
Ald. Hayes asked if motor fuel tax funds could be used to grind down excessive crowns that exist on some streets. Fisher affirmed the funds could be used for that purpose but that the process is expensive and whether or not to authorize that expenditure would be up to the council.
WATER PLANT OPERATOR HIRED
On the recommendation of Mayor Hicks, the council voted unanimously on a motion by Ald. Tucker, seconded by Ald. Hayes, to hire Jacob Alepra as an operator at the city water treatment plant. Alepra, one of two applicants for the position, has trained as a plumber and currently is training as a water plant operator. City Treasurer Fisher noted that like all new hires, Alepra will be subject to a one-year probationary period.
SURPLUS PROPERTY OFFERED FOR SALE
Following a brief executive session to discuss collective bargaining, the council agreed to declare several pieces of city property as surplus property and offer them for sale via a bidding process. Upon the recommendation of Mayor Hicks, council members agreed to sell a 1991 Top Kick GMC with 26,291 miles on the odometer; a 1998 Chevrolet dump truck; a KMS 1500 sewer eel with 100 feet of eel; a 20-horsepower Wisconsin water pump; a Flink 11-by-48-inch snowplow; a five-foot brush hog; and an 80,000 BTU ceiling mount heater.
Bids from potential buyers are due by 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6. Bids will be opened during the council’s regular meeting set for 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9.
Bids also will be opened during the December meeting for a surplus property acquired through condemnation and located at 205 Francis Street.
Later in the meeting, council members voted unanimously to declare a house at 207 Western a public nuisance and to begin legal proceedings to require the owner to abate the nuisance. City Attorney Kevin Polo said the house recently failed an inspection by the city’s housing inspector. Legal action could result in a court order for the owner to correct the deficiencies and authorize the city to abate the nuisance with the owner fails to comply. If the city abates the nuisance, it will file a lien against the property, which could result ultimately in the city acquiring title to the property. Polo said the city also has taken action against the owner to revoke a lake lot lease and evict him from that property.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved an ordinance amendment to permit Queen of Hearts-type raffles. The council was approached last month about approving a Queen of Hearts raffle for Darts for Kids but the organization has not yet completed an application for the event.
- Approved an ordinance to sign onto the creation of a new county-wide Enterprise Zone when authorization for the current Enterprise Zone expires. The new Enterprise Zone will be subject to approval by DCEO.
- Approved an ordinance to allow natural gas/propane fire pits only on Macoupin Street and banning wood-burning fire pits in that area.
- Approved intergovernmental agreements with the Village of Eagarville and Village of Mount Clare to provide water to those municipalities for the next 40 years.
- Agreed to make a one-time payment of $65,880 to the Illinois Municipal League shared risk insurance program to provide insurance for the coming year. Making a one-time payment saved the city about $650 over splitting the payment into two installments.
- Approved a resolution to make a payment of $324,103.50 to Haier Plumbing for work completed to date on the water infrastructure improvement project. A bill for $21,691.56 from Curry and Associates Engineers was inadvertently not included in the resolution and will be authorized for payment next month.
- Approved a lake lot lease transfer for 33 Carney Drive to Dennis and Jolene Campbell.
- Referred to committee the issue of raising the rental fee charged to the Saddle Club to rent an area at the lake for its show ring. Ald. Barrett said the space used by the club is equivalent to 30 lake lots but that the club pays only $650 a year to lease the property. Mayor Hicks directed Barrett to contact representatives of the Saddle Club to attend a committee meeting and negotiate an adjusted rate.
- Voted to donate $300, the equivalent of $10 per planter, to help pay for Christmas decorations to be placed in planters along Macoupin Street in downtown Gillespie.
- Agreed to purchase a $150 ad from the city for the Gillespie High School 2020 yearbook.
- Agreed to spend $600 for a tree service to trim a dead tree at the lake down to a level at which city workers can remove the remainder of the tree.
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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.”
Comments
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.
