Community News
Gillespie Council votes to seek bids for spillway repairs
Resident Mark Skief appeared before the council to bring the gaurdrail matter to the council’s attention and to voice his objection to the plan.
Members of the Gillespie City Council voted unanimously Monday night to authorize Curry & Associates Engineers to prepare specifications and seek bids for a project to repair the leaking spillway at Gillespie Lake. The council also heard from a city resident who asked the city to urge the Illinois Department of Transportation to keep guardrails in place on Illinois Route 4 on the south side of the city and voted to match $2,331 in donations to the Illinois Coal Museum, but tabled action on a ordinance to revise an ordinance delineating the classifications of liquor licenses available in the city.
City Treasurer Dan Fisher told the council that USDA Rural Development authorities had reviewed and approved the engineer’s plans for repairing the spillway, and that it was appropriate to authorize Curry & Associates to prepare bidding specifications and advertise for bids. The preliminary engineer’s estimate for the project is in excess of $200,000, but Fisher warned that contractors may discover that more work is required when they remove concrete from the spillway apron in the area of the leak. He said engineers also cautioned that completing the repairs may require installation of a coffer dam to access the back side of the dam at the spillway.
A portion of the project’s cost will be underwritten with USDA Rural Development grant and loan funds awarded to the city for a $10 million water infrastructure improvement project set to begin this summer. The council voted earlier this year to issue $6,350,000 in Waterworks System Revenue Bonds through the Rural Development program to be repaid over a period of 40 years. In addition, USDA approved awarding the city grant funds in the amount of $3,650,000.
In a related matter, the council approved an ordinance authorizing the city to enter into an inter-governmental agreement with the Village of East Gillespie to facilitate East Gillespie’s participation in the infrastructure improvement project.
CITY MAY OPPOSE IDOT PLAN TO REMOVE GUARDRAILS
Ald. Steve Kluthe agreed to contact the Illinois Department of Transportation to get more information about the agency’s plans to remove guardrails along Illinois Route 4 on the south side of the city. Resident Mark Skief appeared before the council to bring the matter to the council’s attention and voice his objection to the plan.
Skief said he received a letter from IDOT indicating the the agency wants to remove the the guardrails, which protect residences located along a curve in the highway.
“I would like to keep my guardrail,” Skief said. “Those guardrails are there for a reason.” He said a guardrail protecting his neighbor’s residence has been hit by vehicles twice in recent months. “I’ve lived there about eight years. There’s a park about a half a block away. There are quite a few people use the sidewalks with their kids.”
[pullquote]IDOT apparently wants to remove the guardrails in lieu of replacing them with newer style guardrails with the ends of the rails buried as a safety measure.[/pullquote]
Skief said IDOT sent letters to each of the residents who have homes adjacent to the guardrails. He said he called IDOT to lobby for keeping the guardrails and was told that he was the only person to respond to the letter. He said the agency’s reason for wanting to remove the guardrails reportedly is that the current guardrails are not “certified.” IDOT apparently wants to remove the guardrails in lieu of replacing them with newer style guardrails with the ends of the rails buried as a safety measure.
Kluthe asked for a copy of the letter sent to Skief and said he would contact IDOT.
“They want to know how the community feels about it,” Skief told the council.
LAKE LOT LEASES
The council meeting room was briefly crowded with persons wanting to see whether or not their applications to lease lots at Gillespie Lake would be approved. On a motion by Ald. Frank Barrett, seconded by Ald. Janice Weidner, the council unanimously approved the following leases:
- Clay Cope, Alton: Lot No. 422.
- Steve and Lenora Heiens, Carlinville: Lot No. 380 on the New Lake.
- Greg and Jodi Stram, Godfrey: 22a Carney Drive.
- Robert and Marily Humphreys, Bloomington: 4 Oak Point Lane on the Old Lake.
- William and Diana Greenlee, South Roxana: 10 Circle Drive.
Before the council retired to executive session, Barrett indicated that he needed to discuss a property issue at the lake that could involve potential litigation. City Attorney Kevin Polo advised that for the issue to qualify for executive session discussion the litigation would have to be threatened or imminent. No action or discussion regarding lake property followed the executive session and it was unclear whether council members actually discussed the matter behind closed doors.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Following a 30-minute executive session to discuss personnel and collective bargaining issues, the council voted to give a committee power to act regarding resolution of a collective bargaining issue.
Prior to going into executive session, the council also gave power to act to a committee to make a determination regarding a donation to the Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation’s Rehabilitation Center to support the Center’s operation of the city’s recycling program. The Center took over the program last year under an agreement negotiated by Ald. Dave Tucker with financial support from the city.
Ultimately, the amount of the donation will be contingent upon the committee negotiating with IVEDC officials regarding the number of times the agency takes recycling trailers to Carlinville to unload recyclable materials at WE CARE Recycling.
“Their scheduling is off,” Ald. Kluthe commented, noting that the receptacles on the trailers often are full on Friday, coinciding with the weekend when a majority of residents come to the Recycling Center to deposit recyclables. “They need to have those emptied out on Friday before the weekend.”
Mayor John Hicks said that making sure the trailers are empty for the weekend may require IVEDC employees to make an additional trip to Carlinville. Kluthe said he will contact IVEDC to see if the schedule can be adjusted. If an additional trip is required, the city may boost the amount of its donation to cover the additional expense.
Under the agreement, the Rehabilitation Center retains any money it earns from selling recyclable materials.
MUSEUM DONATION
On a motion by Ald. Barrett, seconded by Ald. Diana Brickey, the council voted to match $2,331 in donations the Illinois Coal Museum has received for this fiscal year. The donation marks the last of the donations to which the council committed the city three years ago when the museum started. Initially, the city gave the museum $4,000 in seed money and agreed to match up to $8,000 in donations annually for three years. In the first year the city matched slightly more than $1,700 in donations, and matched more than $5,200 last fiscal year.
Tucker said donations to the museum slowed somewhat this fiscal year “so we’re going to be leaving some money on the table.” He said money the museum received from the city so far has been used for renovations to the city-owned building, which formerly housed United Community Bank. Those renovations have included carpeting, making restrooms handicapped accessible and new electrical wiring.
[pullquote]The matching funds have been significant.[/pullquote]
“I want to thank the council and the city for the help they’ve given the museum,” Tucker said. “The matching funds have been significant.”
Tucker and Ald. Jim Alderson, both of whom serve on the museum board, abstained from the vote.
WATER PLANT CAMERAS
Council members voted unanimously to purchase video cameras from Carpani Technology Solutions at a cost of $2,200 to be installed at the city’s water treatment plant. Mayor Hicks reported the cost will be reduced by $400 if city workers install wiring for the camera units. Hicks said the cameras are a safety measure and will also be used to monitor workers at the plant.
“We have one guy out there by himself at night and there are hazardous materials out there,” Hicks said.
“I’ve been out there at night when people have driven up to the plant,” Kluthe commented. ‘I think our guys will appreciate having cameras out there.”
Hicks noted that the city already has cameras installed at the Police Department and has discussed eventually installing cameras at the Street Department for similar reasons.
Also related to the water plant, Hicks reported that Water Plant Supervisor Don Shuey has asked to implement a policy governing employee’s use of cell phones while on the job.
“Wouldn’t we have to amend our employee handbook so it’s the same for all employees?” Kluthe asked.
“No,” City Attorney Kevin Polo replied, “I think departments can set their own policies as needed.”
BESSERMAN BILL
Council members agreed to absorb half of the $825.55 cost of repairing a water main break near the SuperBowl Bowling Alley. Harold Besserman, owner of the business, appeared at the last meeting of the council to register a complaint about the cost of the project, noting that he would have made arrangements to have the break repaired if he had known about it and had known he would be held responsible for the cost.
Ald. Jerry Dolliger noted that the leak pre-dated Besserman’s acquisition of the property and recommended splitting the cost 50/50 with Besserman.
“It’s more or less a goodwill thing,” Dolliger said.
“When we had the barricade situation out there, we used his parking lot as a staging area,” Kluthe noted. “He came out and opened his doors so emergency workers could have access to a bathroom.”
Dolliger said $500 of the total bill was for excavating services provided by Mark Ranger, with the remainder representing city personnel costs.
LIQUOR LICENSE ORDINANCE TABLED
At the request of Mayor Hicks, the council tabled action on an amendment to the city’s liquor licensing ordinance. At the last meeting of the council, Hicks requested changes to the ordinance to define additional classifications of liquor licenses to more closely reflect the activities of businesses that sell alcoholic beverages. He reported Monday night that additional work needs to be done but the new ordinance tentatively will offer licenses for businesses that sell package liquor only, businesses that sell liquor with food services, and businesses that sell liquor with food, along with video gambling machines.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Accepted a quote from Feeley’s Tree Service to remove two dead trees on Edwards Street at a total cost of $375.
- Authorized the purchase of a new buffer for the Civic Center from M.H. Sales, Gillespie, at a cost of about $920, including shipping.
- Agreed to donate $100 to the Gillespie High School Post Prom organization.
- Accepted a technical amendment to the city’s agreement with the Illinois Public Risk Fund program to provide worker’s compensation insurance coverage. The program is a consortium of Illinois municipalities that have pooled funds for worker’s compensation coverage.
- Voted to accept a resolution to adopt a benefit planning system for city employees. Polo told the council the action will keep out-of-pocket health insurance costs for city employees at the level required by contract but may require the city to subsidize additional costs due to variations in the policies offered to members of each of the three unions representing city employees.
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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.
