Community News
PARCC scores improve in CUSD 7
The board was introduced to three new district teachers— Katie Prange, high school accounting and English teacher; Lee Harrison, art teacher; and Vanessa Kolesar, second grade teacher.
A year after facing criticism from the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education for substandard student scores on the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) tests, administrators presented reports showing marked improvement during the regular monthly board meeting on Monday night.
“There’s a tremendous amount of good news in these reports,” Supt. Joe Tieman told the board. “There are some areas of concern as well.” Tieman described the information presented to the board Monday night as “preliminary,” indicating more complete reports will be presented next month when the state releases School Report Cards for the local school district and school systems statewide.
“All I can say is ‘wow’,” Board President Mark Hayes commented after reviewing the test score data. “You guys took some criticism and some heat from this board last year. You came through with flying colors. Keep up the good work.”
Building administrators came under fire last October over declining scores on the state’s standardized tests to assess student performance. The board later chose not to renew a contract with Lori Emmons to serve as high school principal. In April, Carlinville resident Shane Owsley was hired to step into the position Emmons vacated.
Like Emmons, Ben-Gil Elementary Principal Angela Turcol was criticized last year for declining test scores, but reports presented Monday night documented significantly improved performance among district elementary students. Turcol attributed the improvement to revised teaching strategies as well as the fact that test administrators allowed students to take the test last spring with pencil and paper instead of using computers.
[pullquote]There’s a tremendous amount of good news in these reports[/pullquote]
“Eventually they want everyone to do computer-based testing,” Turcol said. “For now, we’re going to stick with pencil and paper. It’s what the students are comfortable with.”
Tieman singled out Turcol for high praise, saying she took on the challenge of working with teachers to revamp teaching strategies.
Middle School Principal Jill Rosentreter presented comparisons showing improvements in English/Language Arts and mathematics among current fifth and sixth grade students. Among fifth graders, who took the test last school year, substantially more students met or approached, met or exceeded expectations than the same students a year earlier when they were tested as third graders. Likewise, more students who took the test last year as fifth graders approached, met or exceeded expectations as the same students when the took the test as third graders and fourth graders.
Rosentreter said the data is especially useful because it compares the same group of students from one academic year to the next.
“You’re comparing apples to apples?” board member Weye Schmidt asked.
“Yes,” Rosentreter replied.
As part of the strategy to improve scores, Rosentreter said instructors “started targeting skills (students) needed,” based on the results of the previous year’s testing.
“You can see from our scores that it did have an impact on our kids,” she said. “I’m very pleased with how our kids performed. There was significant improvement last year.”
Until this past spring, high school students took an ACT test to evaluate performance. For the 2016-17 school year, the state switched from the ACT test to the SAT test for high schoolers. Tieman and Owsley both suggested that switch makes it more difficult to make comparisons to determine whether or not student performance has improved and, if so, to what degree. Owsley reported, however, that he was able to track improvements from the time when students took a pre-SAT test in the fall and the actual SAT in the spring.
He noted a gain of nearly 40 points in reading and writing skills and a gain of nearly 44 points in math. The State Board of Education has not yet set the standard for SAT performance, but the College Board reported a statewide average for students meeting benchmarks in both math and language skills at 37 percent. Gillespie High School students came in at 36 percent, on the cusp of the statewide average.
Wills, a vice president with First Midstate Investment Bankers, Inc., Bloomington, told the board a downward trend in interest rates has created “an opportunity” for the district to refund the bonds at a lower rate.
Owsley said 37 of the 74 Gillespie students who were tested scored above the national average for the test. Eleven local students were in the top 20 percent in the country, and one student scored in the 99 percentile.
He said both GHS English and math departments are discussing the SAT results and the resources they have available to better prepare students for the test.
“I’m really impressed by what Mr. Owsley has put in place,” Tieman said. “Our SAT scores were probably higher than what we would have expected last year, and I expect to see them continue to go up.”
BOND REFINANCING
The board took no immediate action regarding the refinancing of nearly $7 million in construction bonds issued to build the BenGil Elementary School after hearing a brief presentation from Kevin Wills, a vice president with First Midstate Investment Bankers, Inc., Bloomington.
Wills said a downward trend in interest rates has created “an opportunity” for the district to refund the bonds at a lower rate. Special state legislation was required for the district to issue the bonds on an emergency basis in order to build a replacement facility for the Benld Elementary School, which was destroyed by mine subsidence. Within the legislation are provisions allowing the district to refund the bonds up until the call date on Dec. 1, 2021. The current rate is approximately 5.9 percent, but Wills said the district could refinance the bonds at a rate of less than four percent.
Using a current rate of 3.7 percent, Wills offered two scenarios for the board to consider.
“Neither of these is a recommendation,” he said. “They’re just something for you guys to consider. This is nothing more than getting this out there for you to consider.”
[pullquote]Wills said the biggest “pro” of the proposal would be the district being able to lock in a new, lower rate for the bonds.[/pullquote]
In one scenario, the district could refinance the bonds and continue making approximately the same payments toward the balance and capture a savings of about $540,000 at the end of the bond of issue. In the second scenario, the district could use savings to retire part of the debt and make lower payments toward retiring the bonds in fiscal 2034.
“In this scenario, they’re still paid off in that fiscal year, so we are not extending anything,” Wills said. The second scenario would result in savings of about $20,000 per year, which would translate into a reduction of three or four cents in the tax levy. That tax levy would help mitigate against a levy increase built into the $2.5 million Working Cash bond issue approved earlier this year, but the overall savings to the district would be about $180,000 less than the first scenario.
Responding to a question from Supt. Tieman, Wills said the biggest “pro” of the proposal would be the district being able to lock in a new, lower rate for the bonds. The only downside he could cite was the fact that the bonds can only be refunded once. If the district experienced a financial downturn before the bonds are due in 2034, it would be unable to exercise its option to refinance without incurring taxes on the proceeds. “It could end up costing you more money,” he said.
Tieman suggested the board should explore the options and make a determination at a later date.
“I think it’s something we need to explore,” he said. “I’m not in the business of turning down savings, but I think I need to talk with Kevin and decide what makes more sense for the district.” Ultimately, if the district chooses to refund the bond issue, the plan could be one of the scenarios Wills outlined Monday night or yet another option to be determined during further discussions with First Midstate.
LAWSUIT CDs
Upon a recommendation made by Tieman during the budget hearing, the board approved a plan to invest $2.4 million of the Union Pacific lawsuit settlement in certificates of deposit with United Community Bank. The money will in invested in tiers for 12, 24 and 36 months.
Tieman said he asked for both United Community Bank and First National Bank-Benld to submit bids for the investment.
[pullquote]I’m recommending United Community Bank because their rates were better[/pullquote]
“I’m recommending United Community Bank because their rates were better,” he said. In addition, UCB agreed to waive any penalties for early withdrawal if the district finds it needs to tap into the money before the CDs mature.
“It’s a win-win for the district and an opportunity to capture some interest,” Tieman said.
During the discussion, board member Weye Schmidt asked about considering First National’s bid since the difference in the interest rate was one-tenth of one percent for some CD increments. Tieman said he recommended taking the best bid and pointed out that First National is the designated depository for the district’s state aid payments.
Brought to a vote, the measure was approved unanimously with Jenni Alepra, UCB Gillespie branch manager, voting present.
STRATEGIC PLAN
The board voted unanimously to adopt a 10-page strategic plan to guide school improvement efforts over the next three years. The plan, which Tieman described as a goal-setting document, was developed by a committee that included administrators, teachers, and community representatives. It was chaired by board member Schmidt.
The plan addresses six areas of educational administration: 1.) Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment; 2.) Student Discipline; 3.) Building and Grounds; 4.) Technology; 5.) School Culture; and 6.) Financial Stability. In addition to identifying areas the district needs to address, the document sets specific goals, target dates for reaching those goals and mechanisms for evaluating whether or not the goals are sufficiently met.
“Once the board approves this, it will become a ‘fluid’ working document,” Tieman said, noting that it will be subject to being updated and revised as strategies are implemented.
Tieman specifically thanked Schmidt and committee members for their work on the document. The committee began work on the plan in September 2014.
“They volunteered a lot of time and a lot of effort,” Tieman said.
PERSONNEL
Following an executive session of more than one hour, the board voted to promote Jacqueline McKinney to the position of head cook at Ben-Gil Elementary School and to post the position she currently holds as vacant. The board also voted unanimously to post an open position for a paraprofessional to serve as a classroom aid at Gillespie Middle School. Gina Frensko was unanimously approved as a volunteer high school cheerleading coach.
Also in the area of personnel, the board was introduced to three new district teachers—Vanessa Kolesar, second-grade teacher; Katie Prange, high school accounting and English teacher; and Lee Harrison, art teacher.
As a district focus, Middle School Principal Rosentreter recognized Stephanie Wilson, seventh grade English and language arts teacher.
As a district focus, Middle School Principal Rosentreter recognized Stephanie Wilson, seventh grade English and language arts teacher. Rosentreter said Wilson recently has secured more than $1,200 in grants for her classroom including a $100 scholarship, a $650 grant from the Illinois Retired Teachers and a $500 classroom grant from the Partnership for Educational Excellence.
“She consistently creates an environment for teaching,” Rosentreter said, “and she has created a culture where students enjoy reading.”
Rosentreter said Wilson has trained other teachers in analyzing testing data, and she holds book clubs in her classroom for seventh and eighth-grade students during lunch periods.
TEACHER CONTRACT
Jennifer Brown with the local chapter of the Illinois Federation of Teachers reported to the board that teachers will meet on Oct. 3 with a union representative to discuss and vote on ratifying a proposed teachers contract. A special meeting of the board is set for Oct. 4 to finalize approval of the contract.
“We look forward to meeting with you either later that day or another date,” Brown said.
DONATION
Supt. Tieman reported to the board that Dave DeLaurent of DeLaurent Construction had donated striping for a parking lot project his company recently completed for the school. In addition, he said DeLaurent donated $500 to defray the cost of students participating in a bowling program during the winter months.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Approved a performance trip for the high school band and chorus to New Orleans set for Feb. 15-19. Tieman said participating students will miss one day of school, but the trip will not interfere with families’ plans for Easter as in past years. He also reported that all chaperones will be subject to a background check.
- Approved an update to the list of Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee members, changing Dennis Tiburzi’s status from “community member” to “board member.”
- Voted to renew the district’s liability and workers compensation insurance policy at a cost of $239,107. Tieman said the premium is about $1,800 less than last year, with the bulk of the reduction attributed toan drop in the workers compensation premium.
- Approved a revision to the district’s wrestling team cooperative agreement with the Mount Olive school district, allowing Staunton students to also participate on the team.
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Gillespie will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, May 11 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym.
To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 7101336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife at 800-747-5401 to schedule.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available
through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate.
For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 7475401. Donors who last gave blood on or before March 16, 2026, are eligible to give at this drive.
Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.
ImpactLife is a nonprofit community organization providing blood products and services to more than 100 hospitals and emergency medical service providers in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as researchers and resource sharing partners across the country.
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Wednesday night approved a package of four capital improvement projects totaling more than $160,000 in value. Work will start on the projects after the end of the current school year and is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026-27 academic year in August.
The board met on Wednesday night after Monday’s inclement weather forced the district to reschedule the board’s regular monthly meeting.
The board approved entering into a contract with Fisher Tracks, Boone, Iowa, to resurface the district’s all-weather track at a cost of $105,209. Supt. Shane Owsley told the board the district will use about $50,000 from an all-weather track activity fund, with the remainder to be paid with proceeds from an alternate revenue bond issue approved last year for capital improvements.
Great Western Abatement, Jerseyville, was retained to remove flooring containing asbestos from the choir room floor and middle school gymnasium school at a cost of $40,700. Great Western’s bid was the lowest of seven bids, ranging up to $65,000, submitted for the work. Additionally, the district is paying $8,900 to Reliable Environmental Services, Springfield, for engineering and design work associated with the asbestos removal.
All-purpose rubberized flooring material will be installed on the middle school gym floor by Dynamic Sports Construction, Leander, Texas, at a cost of $51,424.
For the first time in a number of years, the high school gymnasium floor will be sanded and refinished with new artwork. Blast Technologies, St. Louis, was hired to sand the 4,200-square-foot floor at a cost of $5,250. Designs Unlimited, Pinckneyville, will paint game lines and logos on the floor before sealing it with a clear stain at a cost not to exceed $18,738.
The board also accepted a bid of $33,890 from DeLaurent Construction, Wilsonville, to resurface the 118,700-square-foot parking lot at Benld Elementary School.
Though no action was taken, Board President Mark Hayes reported that the Building and Grounds Committee had directed Owsley to investigate the cost of replacing the CUSD 7 administrative building.
“This building is very much in need of replacement,” Hayes said. “It’s beyond its time.” During Monday’s torrential rainfall, Hayes said water came in through windows and water seeped in under the sill plate, bringing displaced nightcrawlers into the building. Staff members ran fans after the storm in an effort to dry out the interior.
According to Hayes, the school has been in contact with the local Baptist Church to investigate the possibility of acquiring the former Trinity Baptist Church for use as an administrative building. Church officials, however, have not yet made a decision about the fate of the former sanctuary after Gillespie’s two Baptist churches merged.
Owsley said the current administrative building comprises about 6,000 square feet. Current estimates are $400 per square foot for new construction which would translate into about $2.5 million to replace the administrative facility. The district might be able to shave some dollars off that estimate by reducing the size of the building.
“There’s a lot of unusable space in this building,” Owsley said, suggesting a more efficient floorpan could reduce cost. He also mentioned the possibility of a basement to provide storage space for outdated documents.
In addition to construction costs, Owsley noted, the district would be responsible for tearing down the existing building.
“I have no idea what’s in this building,” Owsley said, raising abatement concerns. “I’m guessing disposal of this building is going to be expensive.”
Hayes said Kevin Wills, the district’s bond issue advisor, will attend the June board meeting to discuss the possibility of refinancing some existing bonds to free up enough revenue to build a new administrative building. The administration currently is housed in a “temporary” structure that has served as the administration building for several decades.
MINE SUBSIDENCE STUDY
After several minutes of discussion, the board took no action in relation to entering into a contract with Marino Engineering and Associates to assess the district’s risk for incurring damage from a mine subsidence event. Owsley said existing maps show that portions of Gillespie Middle School are undermined. While the high school is not undermined, a major subsidence would likely damage the high school as well as the middle school. In recent months, more than one residential home on Elm Street near the school property has experienced damage from mine subsidence.
Marino’s $94,000 Phase I proposal would “determine the likelihood of something happening to one of our buildings,” Owsley said. The problem is that too much information could negatively impact the district’s ability to purchase subsidence insurance. “Information is great until it’s not.”
The district currently pays about $300,000 for mine subsidence insurance on the middle school, high school and vocational arts building. The school carries no subsidence insurance on BenGil Elementary because mine shafts under the building were grouted before the school was built.
“If we find out there’s not a major concern,” Owsley noted, it could reduce the district’s subsidence insurance costs.
On the other hand, if the study reveals a high risk of experiencing mine subsidence, the insurer could drop the district at the end of the current policy’s term. With only two companies in the country offering subsidence insurance, the district could end up with no insurance at all to cover damage from mine subsidence.
The only way to avoid that scenario would be to implement whatever options Marino might recommend to reduce risk. Those recommendations would likely include grouting (backfilling) mine shafts under the middle school. Grouting for the elementary school cost $4 million. To grout under the middle school would likely run as much as $6 million or more.
The only way the study would make sense, Owsley suggested, would be if the district was “comfortable making the corrections the study is going to make.”
Moreover, $94,000 would cover only a preliminary assessment.
“To get a full understanding of what’s going on underground, we’d be looking at a half million dollars,” said Owsley.
The issue was allowed to die when no board member moved to consider the contract.
COMMUNITY SOLAR PARTICIPATION
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to enter into a contract with Summit Ridge Solar to participate in a community solar project. Under terms of the 15-year contract, the district will realize a 13 percent savings on electrical power bills. The contract is automatically renewable for five years unless the district chooses to withdraw.
“Illinois provides a number of incentives for using solar,” Owsley said. “However, not everyone likes the look of having solar panels on their property. This will get us the benefits without putting up solar panels on our property.”
Summit Ridge’s proposal was the most lucrative of the proposals the district received. Other companies offered shorter terms with savings of five percent.
After 20 years, it’s likely the savings would drop to five percent. Owsley said he was told the district was better off going with the longer contract to get 13 percent in savings for as long as possible.
The school district was able to secure such favorable rates, according to Owsley is because there is an issue with solar fields storing the power they generate. “Our main usage time is during their maximum production time.”
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, the board recognized sophomore Matrix Wright, whose art was the only entry from the United States included in the 2026 TOLI International Student Art Exhibition. The exhibition is a project of The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies in New York. The exhibit includes student art relating to themes associated with the Holocaust.
Wright’s work, entitled “An Immortal Continuum,” attempts to portray “the constant entrapment a Holocaust survivor might feel.”
Exhibition organizers received more than 250 entries from around the globe.
BUDGET PROCESS
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Board President Hayes, board members voted unanimously to begin work on developing a district budget for fiscal 2027. Board members also approved a routine measure to permit expenditure of fiscal 2027 funds after July 1, pending approval of a new budget.
The school district’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 but new budgets typically are approved two to four months after the start of the fiscal year.
The current fiscal year’s $19 million budget was approved in September last year.
PERSONNEL
Following a one-hour executive session to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to approve the request of long-time middle school English and language arts teacher Kim Henderson, effective at the end of the 2028-29 school year.
Board members also voted unanimously to hire Andrew Crook as a first-year, non-tenured high school English teacher for the 2026-27 school year, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check. A graduate of Gillespie High School, Crook earned his teaching certificate at Illinois College, Jacksonville and for the past two years, he taught English at North Mac High School.
In separate actions, the board made multiple assignments to staff the district’s summer school program. Those hired include: Jessica Kelly as a middle school teacher, Ashlee Gibbs as a high school math teacher, and Jennifer Brown and Rob Macias as high school drivers’ education instructors. Each of the positions are contingent upon adequate student enrollment to offer the classes. In addition to academic staff, the board hired Andy Hirstein as a summer school food service worker.
The board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Foli Seferi as high school paraprofessional and as assisted football coach. Both resignations are effective immediately.
In other personnel action, the board appointed Cate Plovich as the BenGil Elementary School yearbook sponsor, and appointed Josh Ross as a volunteer assistant football coach, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
• Approved a mens highs school soccer coop with the Carlinville School District, with the provision Carlinville will dissolve the agreement if it pushes its program into a higher competitive classification.
• Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Lewis and Clark Community College under which the college will recognize some high school courses as college level credits.
• Approved early graduation requests for an undisclosed number of students, provided all graduation requirements are met.
• Approved renewing the district’s membership in the Illinois Elementary Schools Association.
• Approved the final calendar for the 2025-26 school year pending no further emergency days. Barring the use of emergency days, Monday, May 18 will be the last day of student attendance, with graduation ceremonies set at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 17.
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One of the greatest annual events in American sports is the Saturday is the Kentucky Derby, which will be run for the 152nd time this Saturday. One past champion was bred in Macoupin County.
This week marks 137 years since the victory of Spokane, who captured the 1889 Kentucky Derby during the infancy of the event. The horse was bred at “The Meadows,” the farm of Gen. Richard Rowett one mile north of Carlinville.
Rowett horses, and their jockey colors of orange jacket and blue cap, were on tracks throughout the west and south. But Spokane was the greatest production of The Meadows, a nationally recognized breeding ground for thoroughbreds.
In 1885, a prized dark brown horse named Hyder Ali was standing at The Meadows when Rowett bred him to one of his top mares, Interpose. This pairing had produced favorable offspring in the past, including Grey Cloud, a fine racer owned by Noah Armstrong of the Doncaster Ranch near Twin Bridges in the Montana Territory.
Armstrong’s famous stable included such horses as Lord Raglan, the third-place finisher in the 1883 Kentucky Derby. When Rowett offered Interpose for sale late in 1885, Armstrong, familiar with the high quality of Rowett stock, purchased the pregnant mare and her suckling filly, Madelin, for the price of $1,000 and shipped the brood to Montana.
The Doncaster Ranch was known for its spectacular, three-story round barn that featured an indoor track. While in Spokane in the Washington Territory on business, Armstrong received word of the birth of Interpose’s colt. In honor of the city, he named the colt Spokane.
Spokane showed great promise as a two-year-old, winning two of five starts in 1888, and Armstrong entered him in the 1889 Kentucky Derby. Although a premier race, the Derby had not achieved the monumental status it enjoys today.
The race was run on May 9, 1889–a Thursday–in front of a crowd of 25,000, a fraction of the throngs that fill Churchill Downs today.
Home state favorite Proctor Knott was the overwhelming favorite at 1-to-2, while the relatively unknown Spokane was listed at 10-to-1 odds. That was enough for Frank James, brother of outlaw Jessie and a regular at countless tracks.
James, flush with a windfall of $2,400 from an earlier race that day, asked a bookmaker of the odds on Spokane. The reply was “Ten-to-one and the sky’s the limit.” James threw down $5,000 on Spokane, causing the bookmaker to reply, “As far as I’m concerned, that’s the sky!”
Under jockey Thomas Kiley, Spokane edged Proctor Knott by a head, setting a record at 2:34 ½ over the mile-and-a-half layout (it was changed to a mile and a quarter in 1896). He remains the only Kentucky Derby winner ever born in Montana.
Proving the win was no fluke, Spokane again beat Proctor Knott five days later at the Clark Stakes in Louisville. On June 22, Spokane won another key race of the era, the American Derby at Washington Park in Chicago, to become the first horse to win both races in the same season.
Back in Illinois, Rowett did not live to see the triumph of Spokane, as he died on July 13, 1887. His death was covered on page one of the New York Times the following day.
In addition to breeding, Rowett is also remembered as the first to introduce the true-bred beagle hound to this country from his native England. Prior to that, he was a Civil War officer and state politician.
The only horse actually born in Illinois to win the Kentucky Derby was the 1970 champion, Dust Commander.
Tom Emery of Carlinville, who wrote the award-winning biography Richard Rowett: Thoroughbreds, Beagles, and the Civil War, may be reached at 217-710-8392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com.
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