Community News
Gillespie Council votes to approve computer upgrade, accepts high bid to replace heater at water plant
In a relatively brief and routine meeting, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved an expenditure of up to $3,000 to replace computers used by City Clerk workers, and engaged in sometimes heated debate over hiring procedures and the recent purchase of a vacuum truck for the Street Department.
Mayor John Hicks told council members he had not yet solicited prices for replacing City Hall computers but asked the council to approve a spending limit to proceed with the upgrade. The current computer system, he said, is old, slow and sometimes unable to perform certain functions needed for city business. After some discussion, the council set a spending limit of $3,000 and gave the Mayor power to act on purchasing the new equipment.
In a related matter, City Treasurer Dan Fisher lauded Deputy City Clerk Krystal Norville and other workers for their service to the city. He said the staff has been working diligently to supply information to the city’s newly hired auditors in order to complete the annual audit in a timely manner. Additionally, he said Norville is quick and efficient in supplying information to him and other city officials.
“I ask for things almost every day and I know you guys do, too,” he said. “I don’t think we take time to appreciate and recognize everything they do in that office.”
Mayor Hicks reported that the city had to replace a pump at the water treatment plant after it froze during a recent spate of frigid weather.
“It turns out the heater in that room is not big enough,” Hicks said. He opened two quotes he had solicited from area vendors. Remer Electric, Shipman, offered a quote of $665, while Reid Electric, Gillespie, provided a quote of $770, with an alternate quote for a larger unit of $1,100. Water Plant Operator Dave Pickett told the council the Reid’s lower bid and Remer’s bid were for units that were actually too small to adequately heat the pump enclosure. “The one with the highest bid is actually the heater we need out there,” Pickett said.
“They’ve done work for us out there and they’ve done a good job,” Ald. Landon Pettit said of Reid Electric, “and they’re local.”
Ald. Rick Fulton seconded Pettit’s motion to accept Reid’s higher bid, which was unanimously approved by the council.
TEMPERS FLARE OVER HIRING PROCEDURES, VACUUM TRUCK PURCHASE
Following a 20-minute executive session requested by Ald. Bill Hayes, a discussion about hiring practices grew heated after Ald. Fulton alleged Mayor Hicks hired a contractor to clean the police station without bringing the issue to the full council.
“Does anyone else think that’s okay?” Fulton asked.
Hicks said he hired the contractor for $500 per month after the previous contractor said he planned to raise his price from $500 to $800 at the start of the New Year. Making the decision to hire a new vendor, he said, saved the city money. Moreover, he said the Mayor has the authority to hire and fire city employees with or without council participation.
“It was never brought to the full council,” Fulton complained. “Nothing personal, but I just think things like this should come to the council.”
Ald. Dona Rauzi said the city hires new employees “all the time” without council participation. She said she recently encountered a young man at City Hall whom she stopped when he started to go into the City Clerk’s office. “They told me he was an employee at the Water Department. To this day, I don’t know who he was.”
The discussion also grew heated regarding the recent purchase of a vacuum truck for the Street Department. Meeting in special session on Dec. 17, the council approved the expenditure of up to $32,000 to purchase the used vehicle. Upon inspection, it was determined the truck needed several replacement parts. Ald. Pettit said the price was negotiated to $26,000, and new parts were ordered from the manufacturer. As the vehicle was being driven to Gillespie, the vehicle reportedly developed a cooling leak, requiring it to be towed to Carlinville for additional repairs.
“This $26,000 truck is going to end up costing us way more,” Rauzi complained. She said the city has not received the towing bill and has no estimate on the cost of repairs to the cooling system. In addition, she said the city spent $5,000 for replacement parts to put the truck in working order.
Pettit, clearly perturbed, said that he secured a discount on the purchase price because of the deficiencies. Even with the additional expense for new parts, he said, the expenditure is below the $32,000 the council authorized.
Rauzi countered that the towing fee and repair bill is likely to push the costs beyond $32,000.
“What about the $750,000 you want to spend for the Police Department?” Pettit replied.
At that point, Hicks rapped the gavel and brought the discussion to a close.
Rauzi later reported that she and Police Chief Jared DePoppe had met with newly elected State Senator Steve McClure to discuss the procedures and impacts of creating a Police Protection District. She said Benld city officials have expressed interest in forming a district but actually putting the issue on a ballot could be two or three years away. The Gillespie Police Department currently is the only municipal police department in the immediate area. Gillespie contracts with Benld, Eagarville, East Gillespie and Mount Clare to provide police protection in exchange for a monthly fee. A Police District would be its own taxing body, similar to a Fire District, which would eliminate the need for satellite communities to pay monthly fees for police services.
Rauzi said she and DePoppe also approached McClure about the possibility of securing state funding to help pay for a possible project to remodel space vacated by the Fire Department for use as headquarters for the Police Department. Engineer Dennis Schuette, Staunton, has drafted a tentative plan for the space, located in the northwest corner of the Civic Center, which reportedly would have a potential price tag of $750,000.
Hicks reported that a water line leak below the concrete floor in the vacated space resulted in heaving during a recent period of extreme cold. He said engineers recommend removing the damaged concrete, removing saturated soil and replacing it with CA-4 gravel, and repairing new concrete.
COAL MUSEUM POWER BILL
After Ald. Pettit questioned the amount of money being spent on utilities for the Illinois Coal Mining Museum, the council directed the City Clerk to write a letter to the museum board to explore the possibility of splitting the power bill.
“Why are we still paying their power bill?” Pettit asked. “They have their own resources.”
Ald. Wendy Rolando pointed out the museum has been operating several years and is supposed to be self-sufficient. The museum’s primary sources of income are admission fees and donations.
Mayor Hicks pointed out that the building itself still belongs to the city and the city is responsible for power bills for all city-owned buildings. “We own the police department and we pay the bill for that building,” he said. “We own the museum and we pay the bill for it.” Additionally, he said, the upper floor of the building is being used by the city for document storage.
“Is there any way we can ask them to split the bill with us?” Rolando asked.
After further discussion, the council directed the City Clerk to write a letter to museum officials to ask if the museum would be willing to pay a portion of the power bill in the future.
GPS PROPOSAL & SPENDING LIMITS
Without taking action, the council rejected two proposals from Ald. Bob Fritz to install GPS units in police squad cars and to set spending limits city aldermen could spend without formal council approval.
Fritz suggested that GPS units in squad cars would allow satellite communities to monitor the amount of time squad cars spend in their communities and the number of miles consumed by patrols. Police Chief DePoppe, however, said that is not information he would be eager to share with anyone other than police personnel. Further, he said, the police department provides a monthly report to satellite municipalities detailing service to their communities.
Fritz suggested those reports can be misleading because responding to incidents gets counted as a patrol on the report. The GPS system, he said, would allow satellite communities to document the actual number of miles police patrol each month.
Ultimately, his proposal died for lack of a motion.
Fritz also failed to secure a motion to set spending limits for city aldermen. He expressed frustration at having to go through a formal process for minor expenditures. City Treasurer Fisher, however, objected to the proposal, indicating the process is necessary to maintain control over total monthly expenditures.
AirBNBs
The council referred to the City Attorney the issue of creating an ordinance to govern AirBNBs in the city. Ald. Rauzi said two such facilities are currently operating in the city, renting residential properties for short-term periods for $75 per night. She said the city currently treats the facilities as any other rental property but she questioned whether or not the city was running the risk of incurring responsibility for hotel taxes.
Jono Verticchio, sitting in for City Attorney Rick Verticchio, said he did not believe the city was vulnerable but agreed to take the issue to the City Attorney for further research and advice.
TREE REMOVAL
The council approved a bid of $1,000 from Steve Heinz, Dorchester, to remove two trees—one on Stump Lane and one located in the campground—at Gillespie Lake.
Ald. Rauzi said Feely Tree Service had not been able to look at a tree on Park Avenue to give her a firm quote for stump grinding but gave her a ballpark price of $50 to $75. The council approved Feeley’s bid to cut down the tree last month but Mayor Hicks asked Rauzi to get a quote for stump removal. On Monday, Hicks directed Rauzi to get a firm quote on the stump removal before beginning on the project.
DORCHESTER WATER LINES
The council briefly discussed with Roger Price a city project to replace water lines to Gillespie Lake that has resulted in excavation near water lines maintained by Dorchester. Dorchester is committed to buying water from the Illinois Alluvial water project when that company is up and running. In the meantime, the village continues to buy water from Gillespie.
Price said village wants assurances that replacement lines are properly capped and do not interfere with Dorchester’s lines. Hicks advised Price to have Dorchester officials consult with Maintenance Department Director Dale Demke to review blueprints and ensure their concerns are addressed.
LAKE LOT RENTAL AGREEMENT
The council voted to amend an agreement signed by lake lot renters who rent two adjacent lots. The agreement originally prohibited rents from erecting “permanent” structures on their second lot. The language amendment deletes “permanent” to ban all structures on the second lot.
“We have a lot of people pulling in portable sheds and stuff,” said Ald. Frank Barrett, Lake Committee Chair.
TAX LEVY
Council members voted unanimously to approve a $394,402 property tax levy, details of which were discussed during a mandatory public hearing last month.
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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.
