Community News
Gillespie Council wrestles with KaHo water contract, amends Gillespie/Benld police agreement
After a lengthy and sometimes terse discussion, Gillespie Mayor John Hicks told Rick Verticchio, attorney for the Village of Lake KaHo, that the city would produce a counteroffer to a Lake KaHo proposal under which the village would continue to purchase water from the City of Gillespie. In other action, the council voted during its regular meeting Monday night to amend a recently approved contract providing police protection services to the City of Benld. The amendment clarifies how revenue from traffic tickets and ordinance fines will be split between the two municipalities.
Because of COVID-19 pandemic precautions, the meeting was conducted via the Zoom online video conferencing platform. City attorney Kevin Polo, Ald. Jerry Dolliger and Ald. Frank Barrett attended from the Gillespie Civic Center wearing face masks and practicing social distancing, along with visitors Gary Thornhill, Dale Demke, Dale Demke Jr., and a local reporter. Mayor Hicks, Treasurer Dan Fisher and other aldermen participated from their homes, including Ald. Wendy Rolando, who remained on quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19 by a family member who tested positive for the virus.
Lake KaHo and the Village of Dorchester are the only two of the Gillespie Water Department’s former satellite customers that declined to sign a 40-year contract offered by the City of Gillespie earlier this year. Dorchester expects to start buying water from the Central Illinois Alluvial Water cooperative before the 40-year term of the contract expired. Lake KaHo declined the contract, having installed infrastructure to buy water from the Litchfield Water Department. On Monday night, Verticchio gave notice that the Village of Lake KaHo would be willing to continue buying some water from Gillespie under certain circumstances.
“We’re obligated to buy 500,000 gallons from Litchfield,” Verticchio said. “We would agree to buy anything over 600,000 gallons from Gillespie as long as the price is lower than what Litchfield charges.” The proposed agreement presupposes that Gillespie would sell water to Lake KaHo at the same rate as it charges satellites that signed onto the 40-year contract. After failing to sign the long-term contract, Gillespie raised the rate charged to Dorchester and Lake KaHo by about five percent. As part of the proposal, a previously executed 17-year contract would remain in force.
Verticchio said Lake KaHo’s usage averages 800,000 gallons and can be as high as 1.4 million gallons in the summer months. “So we would be buying quite a bit of water from Gillespie,” he said.
Mayor Hicks objected to the demand to sell water at a lower rate and worried about how Lake KaHo would prevent water from Litchfield back flushing into the Gillespie system.
“We sent out a contract and everybody that signed it got the lower rate,” Hicks said. “I don’t think we can sell it to Lake KaHo for less than Dorchester. That wouldn’t be fair to Dorchester.” Hicks was reassured by a representative of Lake KaHo that the village’s water system has a check valve that would prevent backflushing.
“Why would we give Lake KaHo a cheaper rate?” asked Ald. Dona Rauzi.
“It’s not a cheaper rate,” Verticchio said, noting the rate Lake KaHo seeks is the same rate charged to other satellites. “We’re coming to you with this proposal. If you say ‘no,’ we’ll turn off the spigot and buy all our water from Litchfield.” He acknowledged Gillespie could, if it wants to, prepare a counteroffer to Lake KaHo. The proposal presented Monday night had the approval of the Lake KaHo board of trustees and could be ratified Monday night if Gillespie concurred with the terms.
Tempers flared with Treasurer Fisher suggested Lake KaHo made an arbitrary decision to pay the lower rate last month while withholding the five percent increase. Money to cover the increase supposedly was placed in escrow pending negotiations with the City of Gillespie. The Gillespie Council discussed last month the possibility of shutting off the water supply to Lake KaHo if the village refused to pay the increased rate.
“That wasn’t an arbitrary decision,” Verticchio bristled, asserting that because Lake KaHo declined to sign the new 40-year contract it remained bound by the previously signed 17-year contract, which specifies a lower rate than the rate Gillespie seeks to impose. “Right now, that doesn’t amount to that much money. If either party thinks its enough to sue over remains to be seen. We’re not going to pay Gillespie a higher rater than we pay Litchfield. My understanding is that you’re in the business of selling water. If you don’t want to sell water to us, we’ll shut off the spigot.”
On Hicks’ recommendation, the council agreed to refer the matter to committee with an eye toward drafting a counter-proposal for Lake KaHo to consider.
Also referred to committee was a dispute over a proposal to develop additional camping lots at Gillespie Lake. Greg Dallier led a contingent of lake residents who say the new lots would have no direct access to the water other than through existing lots already leased by others.
Hicks recommended referring the issue to committee and he recommended that city aldermen personally visit the area to review the objections first hand. He acknowledged the council could not do that as a group until after the COVID-19 precautions are lifted. “Let’s postpone doing anything out there until after the COVID-19 exposure so we can go out there as a group,” he said. In the meantime, he asked Dolliger to prepare a list of grievances for City Attorney Polo to present during a committee meeting scheduled in two weeks.
POLICE CONTRACT AMENDMENT
With minimal discussion, the council unanimously approved an amendment to a previously approved police protection contract to provide police patrols in the City of Benld. Presented by Attorney Polo, the amendment calls for revenue from fines collected to be split evenly between the City of Benld and City of Gillespie. The original contract reportedly addressed disbursement of fines resulting from state law infractions, such as traffic tickets, but did not address fines resulting from ordinance violations.
Police Chief Jared DePoppe said the transition is “proceeding as planned” with the Benld Police Department remaining in place until the end of June. In the meantime, he sad the Gillespie Police Department is providing patrols for shifts the Benld Police Department is unable to fill because of staff shortages.
DePoppe said he has hired three new officers in order to be fully staffed for providing 24/7 patrols in Benld. Those new officers include Alex Dodge, a former Bunker Hill police officer; Josh Montean, a Mount Olive police officer originally trained by the Gillespie Police Department; and Robin Simpson, a former Sergeant for the Girard Police Department. He said a position was offered to Benld Police Chief Jim Zirkelbach, who declined and opted to take an alternate employment opportunity.
The new officers all have completed Police Academy training and will start training with the Gillespie Police Department on Monday. They will then serve two weeks of patrolling side-by-side with experienced officers and be ready to patrol solo before the Benld Police Department is officially disbanded.
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE CANCELLED
Mayor Hicks announced that Memorial Day observances have been cancelled this year in both Gillespie and Benld due to the COVID-19 pandemic prohibition against public gatherings of more than 10 people. He said he and Benld Mayor Jim Kelly are discussing the possibility of an observance honoring area veterans in the fall featuring a band concert and other activities.
SPECIAL MEETING
Hicks also announced a special meeting of the council at 10 a.m. Saturday morning to consider applications from local businesses for financial relief to help cover losses arising from the COVID-19 emergency.
WATER METER SWAP REJECTED
The council rejected a proposal from Tim Loveless, owner of several rental properties in Gillespie, asking the city to add a water meter at a rental duplex he owns on Macoupin Street in consideration for removing a water meter at a location in the 300 block of East Elm Street where he plans to build a large shed for storage and repair work.
Fisher said terms of the Rural Development loan and grant being used to improve the water distribution system in the city requires Loveless to pay a tap-on fee for the Macoupin Street water meter.
“It may be that Tim thinks it’s an even swap but that’s not what I told him,” Fisher said. He said the council could vote to waive the rule but under current rules, Loveless would have to pay the fee.
“We’ll send him a letter saying that,” Hicks commented.
GARBAGE CANS
The council agreed to publish an ad asking residents to remove garbage cans from the street within 24 hours after pick-up even though there apparently is no ordinance requiring compliance.
“I have them in my neighborhood,” Hicks said. “They’re out there all the time and it looks terrible.”
Ald. Dona Rauzi, however, pointed out that no ordinance exists to require residents to remove garbage cans from the curb.
“I remember the discussion,” said Polo, indicating that he thought such an ordinance existed. “Both Dona and I looked for it and we couldn’t find it.”
“If we make it an actual rule, then we’ve got something to back it up,” said Ald. Rolando.
In the meantime, the council agreed to publish an ad asking residents to voluntarily move garbage cans from the curb within 24 hours after pick-up.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Agreed to pay $7,000 for a Tax Increment Finance District feasibility study. Polo said the expenditure will come from the overall budget for the project and will not increase the total cost of establishing a new TIF District. “It will give us facts and figures we need to go discuss with the school district,” he said.
- Voted unanimously to declare 508 Park Avenue as a public nuisance.
- Approved four lake lot lease transfers.
- Gave the Mayor power to act on accepting or rejecting bids for the purchase of a surplus truck and surplus camper.
- Hired Jared Link as summer help at Gillespie Lake with a provision for him to also work as a mower in the city limits.
- Approved a resolution to expend funds from the TIF fund for repairs and improvements to the city garage.
- Approved pay requests totaling $707,967.49 for work completed on the water infrastructure project by Haier Plumbing and Heating, and Curry and Associates Engineers.
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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.
