Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted to adopt an amended budget for the fiscal year that ended June 30, committed $189,000 in CEJA grant funds to partnering with the City of Gillespie to improve Plum Street, and reviewed ongoing and upcoming facilities improvement projects.

During a public hearing prior to the regular board meeting, Supt. Shane Owsley told the board an amended budget is required anytime “you spend even a penny” over what was initially budgeted for a specific fund. For the just concluded fiscal year, the district overspent the budget in the Bond & Interest Fund, Transportation Fund, and IMRF/Social Security Fund.

With funding uncertainties and uncertainty about when state payments will be received, Owsley said it is nearly impossible to draft a budget a year out that will be completely accurate at the end of the year. For example, at the time he was preparing the amended budget presentation, nearly $40,000 in state money had not been processed by the comptroller. That money did arrive on Monday but if it had come a day later, it would have been considered revenue for fiscal 2026.

Expenses from the Bond & Interest Fund exceeded the budget because a $500 service fee previously paid by the bond broker fell on the school district because of a change in state law. That unanticipated expense pushed expenditures to $1,120,974—$500 more than the $1,120,475 the board initially budgeted. The amended budget increases expenditures to $1,120,975. With $1,117,397.85 already received, the amended budget boosts revenues to $1,123,614.

Salary and benefits for additional support personnel, bus inspections, and additional expenses for contractural services boosted Transportation Fund expenditures to $892,631.25, nearly $60,000 more than the $836,090 initially budgeted. The amended budget approved Monday night increases the amount allotted for expenditures to $921,800.15, with revenue increased from $860,242 to $926,788, with $817,752 already received.

Owsley pointed out the amended budget allots $210,726 for bus driver salaries, compared with $190,000 initially budgeted. Salaries for special education drivers is increased from $81,357 to $115,374, while expenditures for bus aides salaries is increased from $79,833 to $102,759. Expenditures for special education transportation is increased from $7,150 to $7,650, and expenditures for inspections are increased from $1,500 to $2,000.

According to Owsley, expenditures from the IMRF/Social Security Fund exceeded the initial budget in part because of an increase in the IMRF employer rate that become effective Jan. 1. IMRF operates on a calendar year that does not coincide with the school district’s fiscal year. Additionally IMRF/Social Security expenses were influenced by higher than expected expenses for overtime and substitute teacher wages, new hires and position changes.

In total, the district spent $440,078 from the IMRF/Social Security Fund—about $60,000 over the $410,887 initially budgeted. The amended budget increases the expenditure line item to $472,402, with the revenue side increased from $219,308 to $219,846.

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Owsley said he added a small contingency to the affected fund budgets “just in case something unexpected happens before July 1.”

The board is expected to get a first look at the new budget proposal for the current fiscal year in August with final approval usually coming in September.

CEJA GRANT

The board agreed with Owsley’s plan to commit about $89,000 in anticipated grant funds from the federal Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) to partner with the City of Gillespie to make improvements to Plum Street. The street has been a focus of discussion for the City Council for several months after the school district rerouted bus traffic to Plum to facilitate synchronizing starting times and dismissals at each of the district’s three attendance centers. City officials say the bus traffic over the past year has severely deteriorated the condition of the street, which was not designed to carryheavy traffic.

“There was talk that we would not be able to continue using Plum Street,” Owsley noted.

While no engineering has been done for the project, the expected price tag is expected to be in the range of $250,000. City officials have said the city cannot afford the improvements on its own and would require the school district’s participation to make the improvements. The project would likely include re-establishing a thicker base along with resurfacing.

The school board originally earmarked the CEJA funds to install more solar panels but agreed with Owsley to divert the money to the Plum Street project.

Owsley said he would ask the school attorney to draft an agreement clarifying that the district would be able to continue using the street for bus traffic in exchange for its financial participation.

PERSONNEL

Following an 80-minute executive session the board took extensive action in the area of personnel.

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The board accepted the resignations of Jennifer Brown as high school prom sponsor, and Chase Peterson as a middle school cross-country coach. Vacancies were posted for both positions.

The board accepted the resignation of Mike Smith as a part-time bus driver, and appointed him as a substitute driver. Additionally, the board posted vacant positions for two full-route bus drivers, and exercised a Reduction In Force (RIF) to lay off half-time bus driver Jeff Nehls.

The board voted unanimously to hire Tom Turiglatto as a district custodian, pending a background check.

By a unanimous vote, the board agreed to post vacancies for three paraprofessional positions. Owsley said those hires could be or not be new positions depending upon final enrollment figures for the 2025-26 school year.

After some discussion, the board agreed to rehire coaches for middle school and high school sports programs. Board member Weye Schmidt briefly questioned rehiring Athletic Director Jeremy Smith as head coach for the high school baseball program. Schmidt said the board discussed whether or not Smith should continue his coaching duties while also serving as Athletic Director.

“I remember we said we would try it for a year and see how it worked out,” Schmidt said. As baseball coach, Smith is responsible for supervising upward of 30 games, board member Dennis Tiburzi commented.

Supt. Owsley said the roster of coaches proposed for rehires was approved by the high school principal. 

Board President Mark Hayes said Monday night was the deadline for rehiring coaches. “You either have to hire him or fire him tonight,” Hayes said.

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In addition to Smith, Tim Wargo, Dan Smith, Adam Tallman and Tate Wargo were rehired as assistant high school high school baseball coaches. Michelle Smith was rehired to coach high school softball, along with Jim Matesa, Joe Kelly and Melissa Heigert as assistant coaches. Jay Weber was rehired as head high school boys track coach, with Alex Ottersburg rehired as assistant coaches. The board rehired Korbin Clark to coach high school girls track with Ottersburg rehired to assist. Casey Fellin was rehired to coach high school girls soccer with Michael Otten rehired to assist. For high school bass fishing, the board rehired head coach Jake Kellebrew, JQ Hartman and Ryan Bossman rehired to assist. Chase Peterson was rehired to coach middle school boys track, while Jacob West was rehired to coach middles school girls track. Jarrod Herron was rehired to coach both middle school and high school scholar bowl.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE

On the advice of Supt. Owsley, the board agreed to contract with Blue Cross-Blue Shield to provide employee health care coverage for a period of 14 months with a premium increase of about nine percent. Owsley said the board was locked into choosing an insurance provider Monday night because the Teacher Retirement System requires teacher salaries and benefits to be documented before the end of July.

During the 14-month term of the newly approved policy, the Owsley and the board are likely to look further into the potential for entering into a self-insurance consortium. Under the plan, the school district would cover employees for up to $75,000 of medical expenses, after which the consortium would kick in to cover up to $300,000 in medical expenses. Anything above $300,000 would be covered by an umbrella policy.

Owsley said it could take five to eight years of expense experience to tailor the program specifically to meet CUSD 7 needs.

“This is a big thing in some states,” Owsley said. “With increased costs in pharmaceuticals and health care, this is seen by some as a way to combat rising costs. There’s more risk at the beginning, but it potentially could result in greater reward.”

FACILITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Owsley briefly reported on the status of a number of improvement projects at district facilities using grant funds and funds generated from the sale of alternate revenue bonds. Major projects already completed include a new intercom system at the middle school, new fire alarm system for the middle school and high school, new HVAC and lighting at the middle school, a key card system to control entry to the middle school and high school, and other projects.

For the current 2025-26 year, Owsley said plans are underway to install new playground equipment at the elementary school, paint the press boxes at the softball and baseball fields, install new window coverings for the elementary school gym, install lighting for the track and a sidewalk from the elementary school to the high school, and remove carpeting from high school classrooms.

Starting with the summer of 2026, the district plans to resurface the track, add new doors for the weight room, install new breezeway windows, and update the lights and ceiling in the GHS/GMS cafeteria. With the recommendation of Building Manager Brian Page, Owsley said the school will begin a program of annually inspecting building roofs and making minor repairs as needed with an objective to avoid major expenditures for roof replacement.

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DISTRICT HANDBOOK

The board approved a  Student Handbook for district students. Owsley said a major change include increasing the number of credits required for graduation from 23 to 24, requiring an additional science credit. To mitigate against impacting vocational programs, the district is designating Animal Science as a qualifying science course. Owsley said the graduation credit hike corresponds to other schools in the area. Carlinville requires 26 and Litchfield reportedly requires 25 credits for graduation.

The handbook also requires students to store cellphones in their locked lockers during class time. Previous policy allowed teachers to set their own policies regarding cellphones.

OTHER ACTION

In other action, the board:

• Awarded the 2025-26 food contract to Kohl Wholesale, Quincy.
• Approved a course description book that updates course offerings and includes classes offered through the South Central Illinois Regional Workforce Training and Innovation Center in Litchfield.
• Approved an intergovernmental transportation agreement with the Jersey Community School District to provide bus transportation for the CUSD 7 student who attends the Illinois School for the Deaf in Jacksonville.

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GILLESPIE, IL — For 28 years, the Gillespie community has demonstrated its unwavering dedication to supporting local students through the longstanding Project Kid Kare initiative. This heartfelt program ensures that children from kindergarten through high school start the school year equipped with the necessary supplies, thanks to the generosity of local residents and organizations.

Each year, more than 160 students benefit from the community’s kindness, receiving backpacks and tailored school supplies suited to their grade levels. The effort is a collaborative community effort, with donations helping to provide essential items such as notebooks, pencils, backpacks, and other supplies crucial for academic success.

The cost to outfit each student ranges from $20 to $25, making individual contributions vital to the program’s continued success. Community members are encouraged to help by donating within this range, with all contributions greatly appreciated.

Donations can be made conveniently at United Community Bank in Gillespie or sent directly to Project Kid Kare, Attention: Jody Dunn, at 340 Kelly Street, Gillespie, IL 62033. For questions or more information, individuals can contact Donna Easton at 217-556-3807.

As the new school year approaches, the community’s ongoing support serves as a powerful reminder that together, they can positively impact the educational journeys of local children. The generosity of Gillespie residents continues to foster an environment where every student has the tools they need to succeed.

Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night recognized eight members of the Gillespie Middle School Girls Track and Field team who qualified during a sectional meet last Saturday at Gillespie advance to state finals this coming Saturday in Peoria.

“This year’s girls track team has been spectacular,” GMS Principal Patrick McGinthy. “It seemed like every meet, they were bringing home hardware.”

Head Coach Jacob West introduced each of the eight team members, all seventh graders, who will compete at the state level.

Ella Brawner, started pole vaulting in the sixth grade, according to West. This year, she broke the previous school record with a jump of of eight fee and five inches. At subsequent meets, she broke her own record with successive jumps in excess of eight feet, culminating with a jump of nine feet and four inches at sectional.

Though not a record breaker Alyssa Cyprian, also qualified to compete in the pole vault this Saturday.

Brawner also will compete at state in hurdles. Starting this year without blocks, Assistant Coach Jack Burns suggested introducing her to spikes and starting blocks. “Sure enough, she broke her previous record and qualified for state,” West said.

West described Jessie Bulla as an all-around athlete. “You can put her in anything at she’ll do very well,” West said. At Staunton, she threw the shotput 30 feet and one and one-half inches, breaking the previous school record of 29 feet and six inches. She came in first at the sectional meet, qualifying for the state competition.

Also qualifying to compete in the shotput competition at state is Alivia Schoen.

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“Not only will Jessie Bulla being throwing at state,” West reported, “but she will be joined by Alivia Schoen.”

Alyssa Hamilton set a new school record in discuss during the Staunton meet, throwing a distance of 86 feet and five inches. She qualified Saturday to throw at the state level.

Completing her first season in track and field, Lydia Edwards will compete in the high jump after posting a jump of four feet and five inches.

“We tried to get her to come out last year,” West said. “This year she decided to come out and she has just put her heart out there.”

West said the GMS 4×100 meter relay team consistently placed first throughout their season and qualified to run at the state level at last Saturday’s sectional meeting. Leighton Vogel will run first, passing the baton to Edwards who will pass off to Bulla. Bulla will hand off to Khloe Helvey to finish.

West reported the team placed first in every meet of their season except the South Central Conference meet, where they landed in second place. The team was in five points of first place.

“I told them to get ready for a phenomenal career in seventh and eighth grade and in high school,” West said. “You guys have something other teams don’t. This year, let’s work on making other teams nervous and sure enough they did it. I’m proud of them and they should be proud of themselves.”

“For you guys to place first in the sectional speaks volumes,” Supt. Shane Owsley said. “When you get to state, you’re not going to see anything you’re not prepared for. I don’t think this is the last piece of hardware we’re going to see from this team.”

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School Board President Mark Hayes commended West’s enthusiasm for the track and field. “It’s obvious you love what you’re doing,” he said.

West and co-head coach Chase Peterson lead 55 middle school athletes who went out for track and field this year and are assisted by Burns.

PERSONNEL

By a unanimous vote, the board rehired the following winter coaches for the 2025-26 school year:

• Anthony Kravanya as freshman boys basketball coach.
• Nikki Brawner as head high school girls basketball coach, with Matt Brawner as assistant coach and Michael Rodriguez as volunteer assistant coach.
• Alexis Lucky as head high school cheerleading coach.
• Andrea Williamson as high school head dance coach, with volunteer assistant coach Elizabeth Doghttery.
• Jarrod Herron as high school and middle school Scholar Bowl coach.
• Celia Jubelt to coach eighth grade volleyball and Elizabeth Thackrey at seventh grade volleyball coach.
• Tate Wargo as eight grade boys basketball coach and Trae Wargo as seventh grade boys basketball coach.

Board members voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Kaylee Collins and Language and Speech Pathologist, a position Collins was hire for in December 2022, filling a position that had been vacant since the beginning of the academic year. The measure to accept Collins’ resignation included posting the position as vacant for the coming academic year.

Board members also voted unanimously to hire Nicholas Davio as BenGil Elementary School music teacher and fifth grade band teacher, and hire Jessica Kelly for a Gillespie Middle School summer school position. Davio, a 2003 graduate of Milikin University, Decatur, has pursued a music career in the Chicago area for more than 20 years. A freelance singer, musician and songwriter, he was on the staff of the Old Town School of Folk Music for 10 years.

Additionally, the board accepted the resignation of Shelby Maguire as a district paraprofessional and posted the position as vacant.

BUDGET MATTERS

Board members voted to display an amended fiscal 2025 budget reflecting changes and revenue and expenditures that occurred during the fiscal year concluding on June 30. Supt. Owsley said the original budget adopted last year doesn’t appear to “be off by much.” However, the amended budget available for public inspection until June 30 is subject to change as more information becomes available. Owsley said state funds due to the school district should be in by June 30, as well as final invoices.

The board directed Owsley last month to start compiling a fiscal 2026 budget. The 2026 fiscal year starts July 1. State law requires the district to adopt a budget by the end of September. Owsley typically presents the tentative budget in August every year, after which the document will be subject to public review for 30 days.

FOIA REQUEST

Owsley reported he received another AI-generated Freedom of Information Act request of information. This follows several AI FOIA requests the board was made aware of last month. The newest request ask for copies of all purchase orders the school district generated from 2020 to date.

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Since the request appeared to be a “commercial” request, Owsley said he notified the requester there would be a charge for photocopying the documents.

“We have 600 to 700 purchase orders every year,” he noted.

OTHER ACTION

In other action the board:

• Accepted bids from Prairie Farms to supply milk for the 2025-26 school year, and from Kohl Wholesale, Quincy, to supply bread products.
• Agreed to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the South Central Illinois Regional Workforce Training and Innovation Center, Litchfield. Owsley said 21 local students plan to pursue vocational education at the facility next year.
• Approved a project to resurface playgrounds at BenGil Elementary School, using proceeds from a maintenance grant plus matching funds.
• Approved district-wide job descriptions.

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