Community News
School administrators reveal school report cards to School Board
Board chooses color scheme for BenGil Elementary
Desiree, Tom Hyde’s assistant, shows off one board of colors to the school board. The board approved the color scheme with one change.
The annual report on how well the students are learning and improving has been released from 2012. The report includes student test scores, student diversity, truancy rates, attendance rates, mobility rates, graduation and drop rates for the high school, and student to staff ratios.
The school report card, which is required to be released to the public each year by both state and federal laws, also provides teacher information and district finances. All documents were introduced to the school board on Monday, October 22.
Starting from the top and working our way down, the district’s report card included valuable information on where our salaries compare to other districts and overall academic performance from all students. Full time teacher and administrator salary equivalents are substantially lower compared to the rest of the state. The average teacher salary is nearly $14,000 lower than the state average: $52,437 (CUSD #7), $66,614 (State). Administrator salaries also weighed in over the $10,000 mark: $99,795 (CUSD #7), $110, 870 (State).
As a district, CUSD #7 met adequate yearly progress in mathematics with 83.8% students meeting or exceeding. All students, including economically disadvantaged, met which contributed to the highest percentage since 2002. The district failed to meet in reading after a 73.5 percentage. According to Tieman, the district is “moving forward.”
BES Report Card
Angela Turcol answers questions from the audience. She explains how guided reading has help improve reading scores dramatically.
School administrators then reported to the school board how each school did on their individual school report card. Angela Turcol, principal of BenGil Elementary, explained to the school board “students are increasing their scores.” According to the Illinois School Report Card, BES has improved. So much so that the school, grades 3-5 only, have improved their scores 5.5% over 6 years in reading and 1.6% over 6 years in math. Compared to the state, BES is approximately 0.2% higher than the state average in reading and 0.2% lower in mathematics.
When comparing grades 3-5 scores in reading and math to state averages, nearly a quarter of students at times are below average. 24% of the third grade was below meeting on the 2011 ISAT testing in reading leaving the other 76% above the cut-off line. Below the the cutoff line are students who were “Below” average or are ranked in “Warning” for such poor scores. The rest of results from last years testing were: 10% of third grade math was under average, 33% of fourth grade reading were below average, 19% below in fourth grade math, 22% below in fifth grade reading, and 14% below in fifth grade math.
Turcol plans to employ strategies such as literature circles and the “Daily 5” to improve student achievement. “Teachers will complete a detailed lesson plan that outlines the skills students focus on in center activities,” Turcol explained of the literature circles. The circle is planned to help teachers focus and help small groups of students instead of the entire classroom at once. She even has hopes to group students by the same reading level so every group can catch on at the same pace.
GMS Report Card
Lori Emmons, principal of the middle school, started off her discussion with the school board by stating GMS met the state benchmark in math by which the school increased their percentage by 12.9% compared to 2011. The school failed to meet in reading, but did improve from their 2011 score by 1.0%.
Emmons broke down the ISAT test scores by grade level. In the sixth grade (current 7th graders), 54% of students raised their reading score and 60% of students raised their math score while 28% still wound down below the state average in reading and 20% below in mathematics. In the seventh grade (current 8th graders), 19% of students failed to meet average in reading and 11% of the students failed to meet average in math. On the positive side, 77% of students raised their reading score and 86% of students raised their math scores.
Last years’ eighth grade class turned out to have the greatest gain though after 92% of students raised in the math score compared to the previous year, 69% of students raised their reading score. 25% of students failed to meet average though in reading and 13% of students failed to meet average in math. Emmons plans to personalize the student schedules by grouping students together from their test scores versus randomly choosing. “From doing this, teachers will be able to plan lessons for maximum personal student growth,” Emmons closed.
GHS Report Card
Second year principal Dennis Tiburzi took care of the high school report. The high school report differs from other schools in the district because only one grade level is reported on in the high school, grade 11. The year when juniors take the PSAE test. According to the school report card, GHS failed to meet adequate yearly progress in both math and reading. Even though students were able to raise the math percentage by 12 percentage points (56.4% in 2011 to 68.4% in 2012), scores bottomed out in reading and science. For the first year in three years, the class of 2012 dropped their reading score. The overall percentage dropped by 6.2% in reading and 9.6% in science.
Tiburzi went on to direct the school board past the report card and to his analysis he created. He explained that in English, 97% of students improved their scores by which the scores increased by an average of 4.65 points. In math, 86% of students showed an improvement by 4.22 points on average. In reading and science, 62% and 68% respectively increased their scores.
“There is work to be done,” Tiburzi concluded. Some of the strategies he plans to initiate are: practice ACT tests, timed tests similar format to the PSAE, and more after school assistance for students who need additional help. Most importantly, Tiburzi plans to have early interventions with parents. “When we see signs of distress, we are going to contact the parents. They need to be notified as soon as possible to do their part,” Tiburzi added.
Koniak Questions Scores
After hearing the administration explain the test scores, school board candidate for the 2013 April election posed questions to the administration and school board. Stephen Koniak questioned what made the district go into corrective action. “That is driven by our title 1 school in our district, the K-5 building,” Tieman explained. “But, as with any other district, it drives the district into corrective action although it only applies to the elementary school.”
Koniak questioned to the school board why did the state have to step in and say something about our scores before we realized they were that low. “Why did you guys not realize this four years ago,” Stephen directed to the board. “Our reading scores started going down in 2006. Then, I think you could have changed the curriculum. Now, we are way past 2007 and 2008.”
Turcol commented that it took 2 and one half years to implement guiding reading in the elementary school into the teachers’ schedules. “It was different from what they did in the past,” Turcol explained. “We have seen an increase in our scores after the implemented programs.”
“People complain about AYP, but we would have never fell below the benchmark if we would have approached this problem years ago,” Koniak added to the fire. “Granted the reading scores have increased dramatically the last two years, but our reading schools plummeted from 2006-2010. We could have been out of this a long time ago.”
Lori Emmons, GMS Principal, explains the middle school met AYP in math, but not in reading.
Griffel argued back saying the board has never been “happy” with the results CUSD #7 has had. “We are a board of education. Our job is not to dictate what the administration does. We do not have the degrees our administration has. As a board, we cannot wave a magic wand and scores increase. We would love that.”
“I never said that you had a magic wand,” Koniak answered.
BenGil Elementary
Tom Hyde, district architect, and his assistant introduced the color scheme of the BenGil Elementary school to the board after numerous meetings with administration and faculty. “One of the things that was requested was the yellow, blue, green, red colors to separate the wings and make it easier for students to navigate,” Hyde explained.
All board members approved of the colors with one change requested: change the main hall to blue instead of green. “That way the hall the public walks through will be in the school colors,” Superintendent Skeans explained. The board approved the scheme as presented with the one change.
Hyde went on to say Contegra is 46% complete and the project as a whole is 56% paid. In the next 30 days, masonry walls in the cafeteria/kitchen area will be completed, continuation on the metal roof installation, paint the interior, and plumbing/electrical/duct work on the inside.
New Business
In new business, the board was notified the Partnership for Educational Excellence awarded a round of mini-grants in September. Teachers in 51 classrooms in CUSD #7 have received classroom mini-grants from the Partnership. A total of $23,869.50 was awarded in September 2012. BES received $17,638 to help 37 classrooms, GMS received $3,600, and GHS received $2,600. “The Partnership is a non-profit organization developed solely to help the develop our communities most precious resource, our children. Donations can be directed to PO Box 125, Gillespie,” Skeans read from the letter. Skeans personally thanked the partnership. “Thank you to the Partnership and everyone who has donated to them, both from the board and me personally.”
The board went on to accept Indiana Insurance Co. for liability and workmen’s compensation insurance for FSY 2013 with a renewal premium of $166,019.
Hyde also added that the final drawings were submitted last week for demolition of the old BES School located in Benld. “They tell us there is a short turnaround,” Hyde added. When he receives approval, he will seek bids for the demolition. The board approved a resolution for emergency relocation grant funds to receive their funds to pay for the modular buildings located north of Maple Street. The board also approved the rising star school improvement plan process.
Lastly, Superintendent Skeans informed the board that he has the resources for the school board to be paperless. He plans to implement the change in January of 2013. Everything will be emailed.
Administrator Updates
School administrators provided updates to the school board. Tiburzi explained that the faculty and staff are implementing the new student information system as the entire district is. He also added that parent access to student grades is now available and parents received access codes and passwords with mid-term grades.
Emmons explained parent teacher conferences are approaching and will be held November 1 and 2. She also said the GMS Student Council will be sponsoring an assembled for Anti-Bullying.
Angela Turcol, principal of BES, explained students celebrated red ribbon week this past week.
Payment of October Bills
Education Fund: $63,321.57
Transportation Fund: $29,037.90
Site & Construction Fund: $1,568,234.23
Building Fund: $26,239.97
Grand Total: $1,685,833,72
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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.
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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.
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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.
