Community News
Gillespie Council takes steps toward TIF district creation
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night took significant steps toward establishing a second Tax Increment Financing district, the objective of which will primarily be to spur new housing development in the city. Additionally, the council approved a new levy for 2021 property taxes to be collected in 2022, approved lake fee hikes, and authorized the city attorney to prepare an ordinance to raise local water rates.
On a motion by Ald. Wendy Rolando, seconded by Ald. Bob Fritz, the council voted unanimously to place on file for 10 days the TIF district plan and feasibility study and to send copies of those documents to all affected tax districts. The 10-day review period is expected to start Dec. 28, presuming Keith Moran of Moran Economic Development is able to deliver a revised district map on Monday, Dec. 27, which council committee meetings are scheduled.
The original map outlined an area on the city’s northwest side, encompassing substantial areas of vacant lots owned by either the city or the local school district. TIF districts work by capturing increases in property taxes resulting from assessment increases associated with property improvements. Essentially, the revenue the city, school district or any other taxing body receives from properties within the district is frozen at their current levels with future increases going into a Tax Increment Financing Fund which can be used to fund infrastructure improvements and other improvements within the TIF district.
Upon the recommendation of Ald. Landon Pettit, however, Moran plans to produce a revised map that will include a substantial area on the city’s south side. Pettit said he would like to see the TIF district include Big Brick Park, taking note that such inclusion would make the park eligible for TIF funds to make improvements. If the objective of the district is to attract new families to Gillespie, he said, then being able to offer improved park facilities will play a role in attracting and retaining young families.
“If we’re going to do another TIF, I really think that part of town would benefit,” Pettit said.
A feasibility study synopsis presented by Moran Monday night indicated that the area included on the original map met all criteria for TIF district inclusion. The proposed district contains a large number of vacant lots and/or lots owned by local taxing bodies, Moran said. “A lot of this property is tax-exempt,” Moran said, “or they are undeveloped, which means they have little potential for growth in tax revenue.”
“The developed portion of the area contains conditions that qualify it as a Conservation Area,” according to the feasibility synopsis. A total of 86 percent of structures are 35 years old or older. All of the developed parcels exhibit inadequate utilities in some form, with 73 percent exhibiting obsolescence in some form. A total of 68 percent of the parcels and 47 percent of the structures are deteriorating. Perhaps most significantly, property values have grown at a lower rate than in the balance of the city for at least three of the last five years.
Likewise, in the undeveloped portion of the proposed district area, property values are stagnant or declining. A total of 68 percent of undeveloped parcels are located adjacent to parcels with deteriorating site improvements. More than half the undeveloped parcels are affected by obsolete platting, and there is a diversity of ownership which would make it difficult to assemble a tract of properties for redevelopment.
“This is largely a residential-focused TIF,” Moran said. “Pretty significantly, the area qualifies for TIF.”
Ald. Rolando told Moran that the area Ald. Pettit asked to be included would also qualify for TIF designation because of the same factors applicable to the original area.
Placing the feasibility study and TIF plan on file for inspection by the public and affected taxing bodies is the first significant step toward formally creating a new TIF district. Moran presented a tentative timeline for meeting legal requirements culminating in the formal creation of the new TIF district when the council meets in regular session on April 11.
The new TIF district will join a previously created TIF district created more than a decade ago to create funding to redevelop the downtown commercial area. The new district, if approved, will utilize the former interurban railroad right-of-way to make it contiguous with the existing TIF.
In a number of related actions, the council approved a resolution declaring the city’s intent to reimburse itself for “certain project costs.” Moran said the resolution, while not a requirement, will allow the city to reimburse itself for costs associated with creating the TIF district from TIF funds once the district starts to generate revenue. The council committed last month to paying Moran’s firm $23,900 for work associated with shepherding the council through the TIF creation process.
Council members also voted unanimously to accept Moran’s completed feasibility study and approved a resolution to establish an interested parties registry and rules. The interested parties resolution, Moran said, creates a registry for taxing body officials and members of the public who want to examine documents related to creating the TIF district. Moran said citizens would be authorized to review such documents under provisions of the state’s Freedom of Information Act but the resolution further formalizes transparency and public access.
The next major action on the TIF project is expected when the council meets Monday, Jan. 10, at which time it will review the TIF redevelopment plan and set a public hearing date for March 14. Moran Economic Development will convene a meeting in late January with the Joint Review Board to examine the TIF plan and ordinances approved by the council in connection with the TIF creation process. The Department of Economic Development and Opportunity will have final authority to approve the district based on recommendations from the Joint Review Board. The Joint Review Board’s findings are due Feb. 28, about two weeks before the public hearing.
TAX LEVY
With minimal discussion, the council unanimously approved a $375,371 levy for property taxes to be collected in 2022. The new levy represents an increase of about $18,000 over last year’s levy of $357,352.
Broken down by fund, the ordinance levies $61,565 for corporate purposes, compared with $53,639 last year. A total of $26,506 is levied for police protection, compared with $25,247 last year; $35,912 for streets and bridges, compared with $34,206 a year ago; $10,259 for Emergency Services and Disaster Administration (ESDA), compared with $9,772 last year; $59,854 for liability insurance, compared with $57,009 last year; $15,390 for parks, compared with $14,659 a year ago; $3,421 for the municipal band, compared with $3,258 last year; $107,740 for Social Security, compared with $102,619 a year ago; and $54,724 for the public library, compared with $52,123 last year.
The actual tax rate, which is applied to the total equalized assessed valuation, is determined by the County Clerk. Gillespie and other taxing bodies in Macoupin County are subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law which limits taxing bodies to property tax revenue increases that amount to no more than five percent or the Consumer Price Index. The Consumer Price Index, which measures the rate of inflation, is set at 1.4 percent for the 2021 tax year.
If the levy requested by the city exceeds the amount to which the municipality is entitled, the County Clerk is required to reduce the levy to the legal amount. The Clerk cannot, however, increase the levy if the city fails to levy the maximum to which it is entitled.
Property tax revenues account for a fraction of the city’s expenditures. This year’s appropriation authorizes the maximum expenditures the city anticipates for the fiscal year, for example, totals $7.2 million.
Action on the tax levy was preceded by a brief tax hearing but no members of the public attended the hearing to ask questions or offer comments.
WARD REALIGNMENT
Council members voted unanimously to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance to realign the boundaries of the city’s four wards to reflect the results of the most recent census. Mayor John Hicks told city aldermen he had been contacted by County Clerk Pete Duncan, who advised the existing wards were not adequately equalized in terms of population. Duncan has asked Macoupin municipalities to finalize adjustments to ward boundaries prior to the end of the year so the Elections Office can mail revised voter registration cards in January.
Ward 1 with 870 residents and Ward 4 with 872 residents were larger than Wards 2 and 3 by 150 to 170 people.
To correct the imbalance, the new ward map will move the northern edges of Wards 2 and 3 by one block from Spruce Street to Chestnut Street.
The adjustment will leave Ward 1 with 756 residents, Ward 2 with 816, Ward 3 with 774 and Ward 4 with 823.
The council will formally vote to adopt the new boundaries during its regular meeting on Jan. 10.
LAKE FEE INCREASES
Acting upon Ald. Frank Barrett’s recommendation, the council approved increases in lake lot lease fees, camping fees and golf cart permits.
Barrett said the increases are needed to generate additional revenue to pay for extra dumpsters and porta-potties, road improvements, personnel costs, and future upgrades to campgrounds and playgrounds.
Under the fee structure approved Monday night, lake lot increases for full-time residents will increase from $900 per year to $1,200 per year, plus $400 for each additional lot. Barrett said that recognizing a number of residents are on fixed incomes, the city is willing to collect $900 in April when lake lot leases are due and accept the remaining $300 the following month for this year only.
The cost for leasing a picnic lot will increase from $350 to $400 per year for undeveloped lots, and from $650 to $700 per year for upgraded lots.
Leaseholders who are residents of the City of Gillespie are entitled to a $50 discount.
Golf cart permit fees will double from $25 to $50 for persons who do not have a city sticker.
Fees for the campground dump station are set at $5.
Campground fees will increase by $1 next season.
“A one-dollar increase doesn’t sound like much but when we have a full campground, it’s $80 to $100,” Barrett noted.
POLICE RADIOS
On a motion by Ald. Donna Rauzi, who participated in the meeting by phone, the council approved the expenditure of up to $27,000 to equip police officers and patrol cars with a digital radio system.
Police Chief Jared DePoppe said the existing analog radios are more than 15 years old and have a limited range.
“With our expanded area, it’s important to have good reception for officer safety,” he said.
Global Technical Systems, Greeville, will be the vendor supplying the new radios and radio system.
In a related matter, the council met with DePoppe for 20 minutes in executive session to discuss personnel but took no action on an agenda item calling for hiring a new police officer.
BUSINESS CARD EXPENDITURE
After several minutes of debate, the council reluctantly agreed to pay a $50 invoice from Elite Print Co., Gillespie, for 1,000 business cards ordered by Water Plant Supervisor Dave Pickett. Ald. Pettit, who also participated by phone, moved to pay the expense, noting that Pickett planned to give the cards to vendors who call upon the water treatment plant.
“I can’t see not paying it,” Pettit said.
But Mayor Hicks objected to the expenditure, arguing that Pickett should have approached the council for permission before ordering business cards. He expressed concerns that if Pickett’s cards get into the hands of residents, persons with water billing questions or complaints will call the water plant instead of city hall. Had the council been approached, he said, they might have recommended one card order with names and phone numbers for all three Maintenance Department supervisors.
If a city alderman wanted business cards, Hicks said, they would be responsible for that expense out of their own pocket. Moreover, he said business cards could have been produced in-house with a computer and printer. “If anybody wants cards,” he said, “come to me and I’ll give you the card stock.”
City Treasurer Dan Fisher pointed out that paying for business cards for one supervisor could set a precedent for other employees.
“If we do this for Dave, theoretically we’d have to do for any supervisor or any employee,” Fisher said. “Fifty bucks isn’t going to break us, but it’s the principle of it.”
Ultimately, the council voted to pay to invoice with Ald. Rick Fulton voting “no.”
Early in the meeting, the council heard a concern from Andy Hirstein of the 200 block of East Chestnut, who complained that his water bill jumped by 11,000 gallons for one month. For the period from Sept. 1 to Oct. 1, Hirstein said he was billed for 16,000 gallons of usage, compared with 5,000 gallons the month before and the month after.
He insisted he did not have a leak, either in the house or underground.
Mayor Hicks and Ald. Pettit both defended the accuracy of the meter reading, saying that if it was a matter of misreading the meter on Oct. 1, the starting number would have been incongruent for the November billing. Hicks told Hirstein he was welcome to review the raw data from the meter readers, plus the transcriptions to the billing system. Both Hicks and Pettit said Hirstein had to have had a leak—possibly a malfunctioning toilet—to account for the discrepancy.
“You can have a piece of equipment that is leaking and not notice it,” Fisher said. He suggested putting dye in the toilet tank to see if the dye makes its way into the bowl overnight.
Hirstein was advised that he would have to pay the bill but the city agreed to waive late fees as is customary for disputed bills.
WATER RATE INCREASE
The council authorized City Attorney Dan O’Brien to draft an ordinance to be acted upon next month to increase water rates for residential customers by about 2.5 percent. City Treasurer Dan Fisher said the council voted to raise rates for satellite customers but the contract with the satellites specifies such increases must be matched with an equal increase of Gillespie users.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved Christmas bonuses of $100 for all city employees. For the first time, the council made no distinction between bonuses for full-time and part-time employees. “What’s the difference?” Ald. Pettit asked. “They’re all employees.”
- Agreed to waive water bills for the Community Unit 7 Fire District facility, now located in East Gillespie. Ald. Pettit said other communities within the district waive water bills for satellite Fire District stations. “Even though they’re located in East Gillespie, their primary service area is the Gillespie community,” Pettit said.;
- Directed the city attorney to draft a resolution for action next month to authorize payment of a facade improvement grant to Rick Verticchio, attorney. The amount of the grant will be determined by the City Treasurer based on the amount for which Verticchio is eligible to receive from the TIF fund.
- Accepted bids to complete work on a Maintenance Garage addition. S & S Concrete will pour a concrete floor for approximately $2,000 and Griffith Plumbing and Heating, Carlinville, will complete plumbing work for slightly more than $10,000.
- Gave the Mayor power to act on negotiating a price with Glass Cutters, Carlinville, to replace windows in the front office at City Hall. Ald. Fritz had secured pricing to replace the windows with standard glass for $9,686.08 but Mayor Hicks said he wanted to look into pricing for tinted glass.
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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.
