Community News
Gillespie may consider legal action to abate cockroach infestation at rental home
Alderman Steve Kluethe (left) resigns during this week’s Monday meeting. (archived photo)
The City of Gillespie is considering taking legal steps to abate an infestation of cockroaches at a rental home in the 300 block of East Oak Street after Katina Weller, a neighbor to the residence, appeared at Monday night’s meeting of the council to report that the landlord has taken only minimal, ineffective steps to eradicate the pests and has yet to enter the home to assess the magnitude of the problem.
Also during Monday night’s meeting, the council accepted the unexpected resignation of Ward 4 Ald. Steve Kluthe, authorized payment of $90,000 to Curry and Associates in connection with the city’s upcoming water infrastructure project, heard a citizen complaint about a recent dog bite incident, and pledged $250 to beautify downtown planters for the holiday season.
Reading from a prepared statement, Weller told the council that Tim Loveless, owner of the roach-infested rental property at 309 East Oak Street, hired Byots Pest Control to spray the exterior of the home after she approached the council last month to intercede. She said Loveless, however, continues to refuse to exercise his authority to enter the residence. Last month, the council asked that Loveless notify the city’s housing inspector, Bob Lancaster, when the home was being treated so Loveless and Lancaster could enter the home at the same time. Weller said Loveless’ lease agreement with the tenants gives him authority to enter the home and make an inspection of the property.
“Mr. Loveless told Alderman (Jerry) Dolliger that Byots Pest Control can come back to treat only the outside of the premises,” Weller read. “That’s like giving an amputee a Hello Kitty bandaid and a lollipop. Without entry by the city home inspector to assess the situation and repeated treatment of the inside of the premises, all the of the professional outside treatments are worthless and pointless.”
[pullquote]Without entry by the city home inspector to assess the situation and repeated treatment of the inside of the premises, all the of the professional outside treatments are worthless and pointless.[/pullquote]
By treating only the outside of the home, Weller said Loveless had not only wasted time and money, but “also managed to put off dealing with an issue that is causing a quality of life concern for all of us surrounding this infested residence.”
City Attorney Kevin Polo said Loveless has told the city that he asked Byots to repeat treatment to the exterior once a week or bi-weekly until the infestation is controlled, but Weller insisted the exterior treatments will be ineffective until an exterminator is allowed to enter the home and perform repeated treatments to the interior. Last month, she reported that an exterminator had looked in the window of the home and reported that the infestation is so severe that the cockroaches have started to eat the drywall. On Monday night, she told the council that after Byots treated the exterior of the home, she cleaned her trash can with bleach only to find it covered with “baby cockroaches” the next day.
“As a private nuisance, you and your neighbors have the ability to sue,” Polo told Weller.
Weller countered that the tenants probably do not have the financial ability to pay for an abatement or pay a judgment. Polo responded that the financial burden would fall on the property owner in the event of a judgment. In addition, he said the city could pursue the matter as a public nuisance, in which case the city could obtain a court order to abate the nuisance.
The problem with either approach, he said, is that they would take time while the nuisance continues without abatement. If the city pursues the matter in court, he said it would need professional witnesses to testify that interior treatments are necessary to abate the nuisance.
“I would suggest having Bob (Lancaster) to get there and see what we can find out,” Polo said.
Dolliger said Loveless told him that “he doesn’t want to go in” the residence, even though his lease agreement gives him the authority to do so. He said Loveless told him that the tenants refuse to answer the door when he goes there.
“Let’s get another pest controller to go with Bob,” Mayor Hicks directed. “I would recommend Garella.”
“He (Loveless) is wishing we would go away,” Weller said, “but the cockroaches aren’t going away, so I’m not going away either.”
FOURTH WARD ALDERMAN RESIGNS
Late in the meeting, Mayor Hicks told the council that Fourth Ward Ald. Steve Kluthe had submitted a resignation from the council, which the council accepted on a motion by Ald. Dave Tucker, seconded by Diane Brickey. Hick did not read Kluthe’s resignation letter but told the BenGil Post that Kluthe gave no reason for stepping down.
Kluthe’s unexpected resignation leaves Ward 4 with no representation on the council. In April 2016, Colin Mussatto was appointed to fill a vacancy created by the death of Ald. Gus Ottersburg, but Mussatto chose to not seek election to the seat in the 2017 consolidated election. That seat has remained vacant since May 2017.
Originally an appointee to the council, Kluthe was elected to a two-year unexpired term in 2013 and was last elected to a four-year term in 2015. Kluthe served on the Lake Committee with Ald. Frank Barrett and chaired the Public Safety Committee.
Hicks issued a plea to anyone willing to be considered for appointment to either Kluthe or Mussatto’s former seats on the council so that Ward 4 will have some representation on the council.
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD
On a motion by Ald. Dave Tucker, the council unanimously approved the first payment of $89,281.82 to Curry and Associates Engineers, the firm responsible for engineering a massive water infrastructure project expected to get underway this spring. City Treasurer Dan Fisher noted that the payment will be reimbursed to the city through a USDA Rural Development grant awarded to the city. The total engineering tab for the project is expected to top out at about $640,000.
Fisher reported that construction bids for the estimated $10 million project will be opened at 2 p.m., Oct. 18, at the Gillespie Civic Center. A pre-bid meeting with potential contractors will be held a week prior to the bid opening.
In a related matter, the council approved Real Estate License Agreement with Weye and Nancy Schmidt which will allow the city to use dirt excavated during the project to be deposited in a low, swampy area behind the Super Bowl Bowling Alley. The wetland is a result of a mine subsidence and covers an area that shares ownership with the city. The agreement will allow the city to spread soil across the entire subsidence area rather than restricting the fill to property it owns.
Fisher said whoever the contractor turns out to be for the project, an area will be needed to store rock to be used for laying a base for new water lines. Street Department Supervisor said there is enough room at the Street Department next to City Hall to handle rock storage needs for the project.
DOG BITE INCIDENT
Mike Bertagnolli, the victim of a dog attack a week ago on Biddle Street, appeared before the council to complain about the alleged ineffectiveness of the county’s Animal Control Department’s policies on dangerous dogs. Bertagnolli said he was walking his family’s dog when his dog was attacked by another dog running at large. He said he tried to separate the animals and was bitten four times in the process.
“If a dog turns and attacks someone, then my understanding is that Animal Control takes the dog,” he said. Animal Control reportedly keeps the animal for 10 days, in part to check whether the dog has rabies, then returns the dog to the owner with a “dangerous dog” designation, which carries specific restrictions, including a mandate that they keep the dog confined.
“That’s where I have a problem,” Bertagnolli said, noting that a “dangerous dog” could escape its owner’s custody and attack another person or dog. “If that had been my son or daughter walking my dog, I don’t know what would have happened,” he said. “I don’t want to wait for someone from my family or your family to be hurt.”
Polo said Gillespie was among a number of Macoupin County communities that relinquished animal control responsibilities to the county several years ago. Before that time, the city had an ordinance that banned ownership of pit bulls and other breeds. Such ordinances were later deemed to be too restrictive.
“I understand the frustration,” Police Chief Jared DePoppe said. “Declaring a dog dangerous doesn’t mean you can destroy the animal. You almost have to have multiple incidents. Until then, they can have the dog with restrictions. If they violate the restrictions, then you can petition the court to destroy the dog.”
“Our hands are tied and we wish we could do something but we can’t,” Mayor Hicks said.
CHRISTMAS BEAUTIFICATION
The council voted unanimously to donate $250 to the Gillespie Beautification Committee to buy materials to decorate planters in the downtown area for the holiday season.
Earlier in the meeting, Renee Katich, representing the committee and Grow Gillespie, made the request, noting “this may be the last year we can do anything with the planters” because of the disruption the water infrastructure project is expected to cause.
Katich said the planters will be uniformly decorated with greenery and ribbons.
POLICE OFFICER RESIGNATION
DePoppe told the council that Michael Stephenson had resigned as a full-time officer to accept a full-time position with the Carlinville Police Department. Stephenson will remain on the roster of Gillespie part-time officers. DePoppe said he will return to the council at a later date with recommendations for a full-time hire to replace Stephenson.
DePoppe also reported that officer T.J. Rakey is credited with apprehending a person wanted in connection with a Green County homicide on Sunday, Sept. 9. Brothers Ronald Plummer, 55, and Billy Plummer, 54, both died as a result of stab wounds about 10:30 p.m. Sunday in Rockbridge. A caller to police reported that persons were stabbed during an altercation at a large gathering at 585 State Road in Rockbridge. State Police issued a bulletin for a car registered to a Greenfield person wanted in connection with the incident. Rakey reportedly identified the car in Gillespie and initiated a traffic stop at 11:15 p.m. The suspect was remanded to Illinois State Police who are conducting the investigation.
REVOLVING LOAN FUND CLOSED OUT
The council approved two resolutions to facilitate closing out the state-funded Revolving Economic Development Loan Fund. With support from the state Department of Commerce and Economic Development, the fund previously was used to provide low-interest loans for new businesses and business expansions in Gillespie. Earlier this year, the state announced its intention to end support of the program for communities that have minimal activity and handle relatively small loans.
One of the resolutions formally closes out the Revolving Loan Fund, while the second authorizes the expenditure of $111,526 from the city Tax Increment Financing Fund to pay back the state for outstanding loans. Fisher said the state will reimburse the $111,526 to the city’s General Fund to be used for an undetermined improvement project within the TIF District. Despite the reimbursement, however, the city will continue to collect payments on the outstanding loan, with the payments going into the city’s coffers.
The actions could potentially result in a profit of more than $111,000 to the city.
TWO ORDINANCES APPROVED
The council approved ordinances to vacate about 150 feet of Columbia Avenue for the benefit of Donald Stewart, who owns property on each side of the street. Also approved was an amendment to the city’s building code ordinance to relieve property owners of paying for a building permit to construct residential wheelchair ramps for disabled access. Homeowners still will have to apply for a building permit before beginning construction but will be exempt from the permit fee.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved a lake lot transfer for 50 Bishop Drive to Patrick Halliday, Oquawka.
- Gave the Mayor the power to act on placing an advertisement for farmers to submit bids to rent 10 acres of farmland owned by the city on Spanish Needle Road.
- Voted to donate a $130 sponsorship to the Gillespie High School yearbook.
- Voted to move a “seasonal” Street Department worker to part-time status, allowing him to continue working for the department for a maximum of 30 hours per week.
- Agreed to spend $1,000 to purchased used playground equipment for installation on city-owned properties.
- Set the date for treat-or-treating in Gillespie for Oct. 31 only.
- Set Dec. 2 as the date for the city’s annual senior citizens Christmas dinner.
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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.
