Community News
New Elementary School named at Board Meeting Monday Night
School board members listended to the building principals.
A main concern throughout the community has been what the name of the new school is going to be. There has been much debate about this topic because many community members still would like it named “Benld Elementary”, but that could get confusing since the school is in Gillespie. On Monday night, September 26, the school board reached a decision on the name after no discussion at all. School board president Mark Hayes said, “Matt Turcol and I discussed what it should be before his death. Matt told me that it does not have to have Benld in it since it will be in Gillespie, but I went on to tell him that is not the point. After Matt and I were discussing it, we came up with the name Ben-Gil.” With no objections from any school board member, the name ‘Ben-Gil Elementary’ was approved 5-0 after no discussion. The mascot will still be the Tiger and the school will continue to use the same school colors of orange and royal blue.
The board also updated the public on the damage done to the modular buildings. Architect Tom Hyde gave the current report. “There has been some activities that occurred this weekend. An area of the building about the size of a foot collapsed last Thursday. No injuries were reported,” said Tom Hyde. After inspection of the building on September 19 by Tom Hyde, Paul Skeans and Rob Graham, the trio had came across a weak floor in the janitor closet. Hyde contacted M-Space on Monday to inspect the building about the weak spots in the floor and M-Space responded within one week. M-Space replaced eight of the issues last weekend, but 20 places needed to be addressed. The crew of 8 will replace the reaming spots this weekend.
Hyde displays a video covering the new elementary school.
The reason these weak spots are occurring is the floor is directly above the Earth and there may be condensation occurring. There is no rock or no cement under the modulars, it is just dirt. “M-Space may add more fans to alleviate the moisture and may put down a new barrier on the ground. The issues with the plywood has occurred prior to building arriving in Gillespie,” Hyde stated. The plywood does not deteriorate over night and appears that the damage has occurred at the buildings’ previous site or in storage. All the buildings were inspected and refurbished in Indiana before arriving to the site behind the Gillespie Middle School. M-Space is repairing the worst spots first and will repair the others in the future.
Hyde went on the present a video covering the new school. Hyde’s video was a 3D video that displayed what the future school will look like. All wings will have geothermal heat. Hyde explained that the building will be built in Gillespie Red Brick. Each classroom will have two windows and are designed to let natural light in the classrooms as well as accompany a light shelf that will reflect light into the classrooms. The glass is translucent rather than clear to cut back on panels of glass. The roof will be metal and will be sloped as well in all places besides the gymnasium. The gym roof will be sloped, but at very minimal angle. In other business, the school voted to start accepting bids on the foundation, structural steel and building bid package.
In other new business, the school board received the FSY 2012 audit. “Another year with no findings,” Superintendent Skeans advised. This will mark the tenth straight year the school has not received any findings. The school board also approved liability insurance for FSY 2012. The school board approved Schmale Insurance Agency’s premium of $153,504 for the school year. The bid was the lowest bid submitted to the district this year.
Skeans read the letter from Litchfield School District.
Under personnel matters, the school board hired eighth grade math teacher Matt Brawner as freshman boy’s basketball coach. This will be Brawner first time coaching basketball, but Brawner did monitor practice sessions during last year’s basketball season. Members of the school board also voted to accept the resignation of custodian Dave Simmons. The resignation was effective on September 26 and the position was authorized for posting after a 5-0 vote. The board also recommended a post for a district special education resource instructor for FSY 2012.
The school board approved payment of the September bills:
- Education Fund: $77,735.54
- Building Fund: $99,049.79
- Transportation Fund: $9,444.12
- Site & Construction Fund: $148,501.56
- Grand Total of all Bills: $334,727.01
Building principals then updated the board on 6th day enrollment, which is the benchmark for student information data.”These are official numbers we use to give to the State of Illinois that drives money back into the district in terms of how many students that are legally and properly enrolled in the district,” said Superintendent Paul Skeans.
- Benld Elementary (Grand Total: 581 + 40 Pre-K)
- Pre-K: 40
- Kindergarten: 88
- 1st Grade: 94
- 2nd Grade: 110
- 3rd Grade: 95
- 4th Grade: 102
- 5th Grade: 92
- Students in other districts: 22
- Middle School (Grand Total: 288)
- 6th Grade: 85
- 7th Grade: 85
- 8th Grade: 110
- Students in other districts: 8
-
The 3D image of the top of the new elementary school.
High School (Grand Total: 382)
- Freshman: 94
- Sophomore: 113
- Juniors: 81
- Seniors: 73
- Special Needs: 15
- Students in other districts: 6
Then the school principals updated the board on activities in each building:
Mr. Dennis Tiburzi, GHS Principal, reported a 96.3% attendance rate for the month of August. Tiburzi went on to state that Mrs. Brown obtained a grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in the amount of $1,300.00. The funds will be used to purchase Star Math which is a program used to assess student’s needs in Math. In sports, volleyball is undefeated in conference, football is 4-1, soccer defeated Vandalia, and cross country participants are doing well.
Lori Emmons announced homework help has begun in the middle school. Feedback from teachers, parents, and students is positive. Emmons went on to state the first meeting for PTO was September 21 and noted that there is a need for parents to join and help with fundraisers. In sports, baseball lost 1-0 in extra innings in the regional championship, and girls basketball will start this Thursday.
Angela Turcol, BES Principal, advised the board that the title parent night is scheduled for September 28. The fall assembly will be given by Louann Brown as she introduces her new book: How to Create Spectacular Halloween Costumes. Turcol also stated that the family literacy night was very successful with over 206 students in attendance along with their parents.
Skeans closed with a letter he received from Litchfield. The letter was from the board of education and it was a survey whether our district would be interested in combining and joining the high school populous in the future. The elementary and middle school would not be joining, but only the high school with Litchfield and any other school willing to join. Litchfield expressed their concern about educational excellence along with their mission. The letter was strictly a survey if the district was interested and no action would be taken. The board opted to table the survey request for a future meeting.
Comments
2:18 Missions, a nonprofit focused on home repair projects in the Gillespie area and humanitarian efforts at Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky, has launched a spring food drive to support families served by the Henderson Settlement Food Pantry. The pantry assists low-income families across five counties in the Appalachian region, where a steady supply of nourishing food is essential.
The organization emphasizes that no donation is too small or too large. Right now, all contributions received from now through the first week of April will directly fund food for families in need. It costs roughly $35 to provide food for a family of four for an entire month, a goal that this drive aims to meet for as many families as possible.
Donations can be made in several convenient ways. Checks or cash may be given to any 2:18 Missions team member. For those who prefer digital options, donations are accepted via Venmo or PayPal at 2:18 Missions Nfp. Community members are also encouraged to follow and engage with updates on the 2:18 Missions Facebook page.
2:18 Missions stresses that every contribution, regardless of size, makes a tangible difference in the lives of families working to make ends meet in the mountains of Kentucky and the residents of Gillespie who support their neighbors in need. The organization invites the public to join in this effort and to help spread the word through social media and word of mouth.
Comments
The Gillespie Public Library invites the community to its 13th annual Night of Trivia and Games, a popular evening of competition, camaraderie, and cash prizes. The event is set for Saturday, March 28, 2025, with doors opening at 6:15 p.m. and play beginning at 7 p.m. at the Gillespie Civic Center.
Attendees can expect a safe, social night out as organizers have arranged tables to accommodate social distancing, ensuring guests can enjoy the fun in a comfortable setting. The evening features prizes for first, second, and third place, along with a 50-50 drawing and other assorted cash games and prizes.
In keeping with the event’s lighthearted spirit, there will be no silent auction. Organizers emphasize that the goal is “Only laughs and fun,” with a chance to win money while enjoying a friendly competition format.
Entry is a $100 team fee, with a maximum of 10 players per team. Participants are encouraged to pre-register by March 25 to guarantee a table. Registration options include mailing a form to Gillespie Public Library, 201 W Chestnut, Gillespie, IL 62033; calling the library at 217-839-3614; or contacting Steve Joyce at 217-839-2839.
For those interested in joining or learning more, team captains should designate a contact person and provide a reachable phone number during registration.
Comments
The estate of the late Lindell and Jean Loveless, longtime Macoupin County pork producers, has made generous equal gifts to The Partnership for Educational Excellence in Gillespie CUSD #7 and to the Carlinville CUSD #1 Education Foundation. The gifts come from the remainder of a family trust established to ensure high-quality end-of-life care and were divided upon Jean Loveless’s passing, with equal shares allocated to the education foundations in each district.
Tim Loveless, local businessman and son of Lindell and Jean, emphasized the family’s enduring commitment to education and practical life skills. “It was my parents’ desire to use these remaining funds to support and enhance career and technical education programs in our schools,” Loveless said. He recalled his family’s deep roots in hard work and the value of life skills, noting that “the spirit of this gift is to prepare students for life in general, and to prepare them to earn a living by learning a trade.”
“The bottom half of the class,” Tim continued, “needs financial education and practical skills. A person can learn and earn their way to success.” He described his parents’, grandparents’, and great-grandparents’ diverse ventures—from farming and cattle to turkey production, nursing homes, meat processing, swine production, and subdivisions—and underscored that high formal education is not the sole path to success, but motivation and skill are crucial. He expressed hope that the gift will help school districts boost opportunities for students who may doubt their ability to succeed.
John Fassero, Jr., president of The Partnership for Educational Excellence in CUSD7, welcomed the gift as a strong alignment with the Partnership’s mission. “This Loveless family gift is a perfect fit for the established goals and policies of The Partnership,” Fassero said.
Since its founding in 1992, The Partnership has awarded nearly 600 scholarships based on goals and hard work rather than GPA or class rank. Fassero noted that the organization has several scholarships targeted to the trades, and that nearly 20 scholars have pursued trade school education in the past four years alone. “In addition, two-thirds of The Partnership’s giving is directed to curriculum enhancement across all three schools and in all specialties, including shop and FFA,” Fassero added.
