Community News
Gillespie raises sewer rates, tables controversial housing inspection ordinance
Alderman Steve Kluethe makes a point during the meeting Monday. In the background, a black ribbon bearing Alderman Gus Ottersburg’s name is adorned over his seat on the council.
Apart from bidding goodbye to Alderman Gus Ottersburg, the Gillespie council handled routine business during the somewhat lengthy Monday night session. The council approved an ordinance to increase rates for sewer services and tabled action on a controversial ordinance regarding housing inspections for rental properties.
The council also approved a new collective bargaining agreement with Public Works employees, approved a resolution of support for a proposed ITS hiking-biking trail from Staunton to Benld, took steps toward renovating electrical systems at a Gillespie Lake campground, and approved an ordinance to establish additional handicapped parking spaces at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church.
SEWER RATES HIKED
Council members unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance amendment calling for sewer rate increases. The increase adds $1 to the minimum charge making the minimum charge $6.50 and adds $0.25 per 1000 gallons usage for in-town customers making the per 1000 gallons rate $1.50. The ordinance also raises the minimum charge for users outside city limits to $9.18, an increase of $2.
[pullquote]The increase adds $1 to the minimum charge and adds $0.25 per 1000 gallons usage[/pullquote]On the recommendation of Treasurer Fisher, the council also agreed to reapply for a federal grant to help pay for an East Gillespie water line. If awarded, the City of Gillespie and Village of East Gillespie would share the matching fund costs of the project. Fisher said the city’s commitment to the project amounts to about $120,000. Two previous grant applications for the project failed. Fisher recommended reapplying on the theory that it might be awarded this time. Last year, only 10 percent of 200 applications were successful.
Since the last time the city applied for the grant, Fisher said the grant formula has changed which could increase or lower the cost of the city’s participation.
“It’s in our interest to participate,” Fisher said. “We’re putting in a small amount of the cost, but we will be responsible for maintaining that line.”
RENTAL HOUSING INSPECTION ORDINANCE TABLED FOR SECOND TIME
The council tabled the housing inspection ordinance on the recommendation of Mayor Hicks, primarily to clarify language regarding the responsibilities of landlords to provide proof that same tenants are continuing to rent the premises from one year to the next. The council originally had considered an ordinance that would have required annual housing inspections at a cost of $75 per year for properties where the landlords keep the water service in their own names rather than that of the tenants.
Under that ordinance, residential rental properties where the water is in the name of the tenant would have been inspected only before a new tenant moved in after the previous tenant moved out. That ordinance was tabled last month after several landlords objected to the requirement, claiming it was unfair to those who choose to keep the water service to their properties in their own names.
After that meeting, landlords were invited to attend a committee meeting to help forge a compromise ordinance. During that meeting the committee and the landlords apparently agreed upon a system under which property owners could submit proof to the city that the same tenants continued to live in the residence from one year to the next. The newly drafted ordinance would have required landlords to present the evidence to the city by April 1, and identified such evidence as a verification of the address plus a utility bill dated no more than 30 days prior to April 1.
During Monday night’s meeting, Ald. Janice Weidner objected to the specific language, noting that there could be instances when the landlord had not yet received a utility bill within the 30 days prior to April 1. She suggested changing the language to specify a “current” utility bill. In order to make that change to the document, Hicks recommended tabling action on the ordinance until next month.
CAMPGROUND ELECTRICAL WORK
The council referred to the Lake Committee two bids received for electrical work to improve electrical service at a Gillespie Lake campground and to add electrical service for five new camping spots for recreational vehicles. Two bids for the work–one from Bauer Electrical Contractors in Gillespie and one from Turney Electrical in Bunker Hill–were opened Monday night. The bid amounts appeared to range from a total of just over $5,000 to a total of $18,000. The bids were referred to the committee to ensure the contractors were bidding on the same scope of work and determine which bid is the more appropriate one to accept.
Action on accepting a bid is expected during the March 21 special meeting with an eye toward completing the work prior to the camping season.
HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES
Council members voted unanimously to approve an ordinance creating four new handicapped parking spaces on Maple Street on the south side of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church.
The council also discussed a request from a rental property owner who wants to create a handicapped parking space at one of his rental units. The council took no action, however, after determining the landlord’s plans do not involve city property.
PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT
Following an hour-long executive session, the council unanimously voted to adopt a collective bargaining agreement with the city’s Public Works employees. The three-year contract for the non-union employees specifies specific annual raises for specific employees rather than an across the board percentage increase.
ITS TRAIL
After hearing a presentation from ITS Committee member Bill Vogt, the council voted to adopt a resolution of support for extending the popular walking-biking trail from Staunton to the head of the Gillespie-Benld Bike Trail in Benld. Vogt said the trail, which follows the former right-of-way for the Illinois Traction Railway System already has been developed from Edwardsville to Staunton, and that extending the trail would be a boom for economic development in the area. He said the committee has been in contact with the Norfolk-Southern Railroad to discuss acquisition of the right-of-way.
The communities of Benld, Sawyerville and Staunton already have approved resolutions of support, and a resolution of support is expected from the Macoupin County Board.
The resolution does not obligate the city financially for the project, but provides supporting material for a grant application to underwrite the trail development, Vogt said.
Last year, he said, 22 trail systems in Illinois were awarded grants for trail development.
“The federal government is spending millions on trails,” Vogt said. “I figure they might as well spend some of that money here.”
RECYCLING AGREEMENT
Council members unanimously approved an equipment agreement under which the city will lease recycling bins owned by the city to the Illinois Valley Economic Development Corp at a cost of $1 per year. The bins will be located at the Walnut Street Gardens facility where developmentally disabled clients will manage the collection of recyclables from city residents. The arrangement alleviates the city from having to use city workers to transport recyclable materials to Carlinville two to three times a week. The city’s insurance will continue to cover the equipment while IVEDC’s insurance will cover the workers.
[pullquote]I think it’s a good deal for everyone[/pullquote]”I think it’s a good deal for everyone,” said Ald. Tucker, “the city, the community and the Walnut Street Garden Center.”
Services provided by IVEDC clients will include helping residents unload recyclables from their vehicles.
MOSQUITO SPRAYING
Fisher reported to the council that a new rule from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources may jeopardize mosquito abatement efforts at Gillespie Lake this summer. While the city has an employee certified to operate mosquito fogging equipment, the new rule requires the city to run a computerized EchoCad report on the areas where it intends to spray. The report will identify wetlands and other areas that could sustain environmental damage from fogging.
“When you’re in town, it’s normally not a problem,” Fisher said. “But when you get into the rural areas, it could be an issue. We’ve never done this before. We have to do it now to get a permit.”
Gillespie Lake is likely to be precluded from fogging, Fisher noted, meaning the city may have to forego mosquito abatement there or use an alternative method such as mosquito pellets.
TRAILER COURT ISSUE
Attorney Polo advised the city may have to revamp its ordinance on persons using recreational vehicles as residences to bring it into compliance with state rules. He said he was recently advised that the trailer court on the city’s south side had at least two RVs that were being used as residences. Upon checking state licensing requirements, Polo said he learned that Public Health Department permits for trailer courts allow the use of RVs as residences as long as they are permanently connected to water and sewer services. One of the RVs at the trailer court had skirting which precluded him from determining whether it was in compliance, but the other had a flexible hose for sewer service which meant it clearly was not in compliance. Both vehicles have since been removed from the court.
The current ordinance, dating back to the 1970s, states that recreational vehicles cannot be used as residences for longer than eight months. The ordinance was designed to allow RV owners to use their vehicles for family guests staying with them temporarily while banning their use as permanent residences.
Since the ordinance is not congruent with state regulations, Polo recommended referring the ordinance to committee for revision and bringing it back to the full council for action.
MAIL MACHINE
The council voted to go with the low bidder for leasing a postal machine for the city office. Currently, the city leases a machine from Pitney-Bowes for $213 per month, but it appeared that a company called NeoPost was willing to lease their machine for $113 per month. There was some confusion about whether or not the bids included a service contract, to the council agreed to refer the matter to committee for further study and to contract with whichever company turned out to be the low bidder.
Ald. Weidner said Community Unit School District 7 currently uses NeoPost and is satisfied with the company’s equipment and service.
Council members also agreed to participate in a contract with Fastenal which will enable the city to buy office supplies at bid prices obtained by other entities. Mayor Hicks said the contract is not exclusive, so the city can buy supplies from other companies when those companies offer a cheaper price for specific items.
Resident Robert Brown appeared before the council to register a complaint about the sewer system backing up into his basement on South Street. Ald. Jerry Dolliger, Public Works Committee Chair, agreed to have workers come to Brown’s residence to try to determine the cause of the issue and make appropriate repairs.
In other action, the council:
- Transferred a lake lot at 56 Bishop Drive to Donald and Mary Landuyt of Alton.
- Approved a resolution asking the Department of Transportation to temporarily close a section of Illinois Route 4 for Black Diamond Days in June.
- Made a donation of $100 for the Macoupin County Safe Families golf outing.
- Agreed to spend $50 to send Water Treatment Plant Operator Don Shuey to a one-day seminar on managing algae blooms.
- Agreed to advertise for sale a number of surplus real estate lots owned by the city, along with the following equipment: a John Deere 1050 with a loader, a Massey Ferguson 210 diesel tractor with a bushhog, a Winco generator, a Homelite water trash pump, and a Miller 255 Mig welder.
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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.
