Community News
School board adopts $18.5 million budget, votes to ban parent from school functions
Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education members voted on Monday night to adopt an $18.5 million budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, and voted unanimously to ban a local parent from attending extracurricular activities on school property for the remainder of the 2022-23 academic year.
The board voted unanimously to adopt the district budget following 15-minute budget hearing required by law. During the hearing, Supt. Shane Owsley emphasized the budget reflects anticipated expenditures and revenues as of July 1 this year. Unexpected expenditures and/or revenue could require the budget to be amended at a later date. Owsley noted, however, that he included small amounts in several funds for contingencies as a hedge against having to formally amend the budget later.
Later in the meeting, the board authorized an application for a state maintenance grant of up to $50,000. Owsley said the district is authorized to use Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Replacement (ESSER) funds to fund the district’s match for the grant. If awarded, the grant will change both the revenue and expenditure sides of the budget, which would probably precipitate amending the budget.
Owsley said the district is continuing to benefit from substantial receipts of cash through the state’s Evidence-Based School Funding Formula. CUSD 7 current is rated as a Tier I school, which it is “considered a district most in need.” Next year, however, the district could be elevated to Tier II, which would reduce the Evidence-Based funding the district receives next fiscal year, according to Owsley.
“We have a balanced budget,” Owsley said. “Fund balances are going up with the exception of Capital Projects.” Once the debt incurred for building the middle school science lab is retired in July, the Capital Projects fund also should start to increase again.
The budget projects total revenues of $18,886,077 with expenditures estimated at $18,494,524, resulting in a budget surplus of $545,503. While this year’s budget is balanced, Owsley reminded the board it includes significant amounts of ESSER money that will disappear from the revenue stream in the next two years.
Fund balances at the beginning of the fiscal year totaled $10,611,222. With this fiscal year’s surplus, the district is expected to end the year with $11,002,775 in the bank—slightly more than half the district’s total operating budget.
With projected revenues of $13,405,997 and $13,131,543 in expected expenditures, the Education Fund comprises the lion’s share of the district’s overall budget. State funding is expected to represent 68 percent of total revenues. Local funding, including property taxes and fees, will represent 13 percent of the revenue, and federal sources, including ESSER funds, is expected to comprise 19 percent of the funding. Sixty-one percent of the fund’s revenues are expected to be spent on instructional costs, which includes teacher salaries. For the first time this year, Owsley earmarked two percent—nearly $285,000—for contingencies as a hedge against having to amend the budget if expenditures exceed the current estimate.
Revenue of $2,505,106 is expected for the Building Operations and Maintenance Fund with federal funding in the amount of $1,727,300 comprising nearly 70 percent of the revenue. Estimated expenditures include $2,369,615 for custodial salaries, general maintenance, supplies and utilities, plus a $60,491 cushion for contingencies. The Building Fund budget also includes $1.7 million in expected expenditures to upgrade the HVAC system for the high school/middle school complex.
The district’s Transportation Fund is expected to take in $782,798 in revenues, with 61 percent of that amount coming from state sources. Local revenue, including tax dollars and reimbursements from parent-funded sports programs, is expected to make up 31 percent ($237,791) of the total revenue. Projected expenditures include $60,717 set aside for contingencies with the remaining $647,081 in projected expenditures earmarked for support services, salaries and supplies.
For Debt Service, the budget anticipates revenue of $1,213,053 with projected expenditures of $1,226,473. Owsley said the district will make it’s final debt service payment for the Middle School science lab in July, which will substantially reduce expenditures from the fund for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Revenue for the Capital Projects fund is projected at $25,000 with revenue coming entirely from the county’s one-cent school facilities sales tax. The district expects $400,000 in sales tax revenue, but $153,950 will go Debt Service for science lab payments, along with $75,000 to pay down existing bond debt. Capital Projects has projected expenditures of $81,000, which would leave a deficit of $56,000 for the fiscal year. The fund started with a bank balance of $567,946, however, and will end the year with a $357,996 fund balance.
Working Cash fund revenue is projected at $34,651 with no anticipated expenditures. Revenue for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund and Social Security is expected to total $484,323 with expenditures of $482,604, and revenue for the Tort Fund is expected to be $435,749 with expenditures projected at $435,000. The Tort Fund is used to pay for legal services and insurance costs.
PARENT EXCLUSION
The board met in executive session for 70 minutes with much of the closed-door discussion apparently devoted to deciding whether or not to ban Jason Schalk, father of a Gillespie Middle School student, from attending sporting events and other extracurricular activities on school property for the remainder of the academic year. The executive session was preceded by 20-minute public hearing during which Schalk was permitted to present his side of a Sept. 8 incident during which he confronted head football coach Dalton Barnes.
Owsley told the board Schalk was accused of violating Section 830 of the board’s policy manual which states the district expects visitors to the campus to exercise “mutual respect, civility and orderly conduct” on school property. Specifically, the policy prohibits, among other things, threatening behavior toward staff members, harassment, unsportsmanlike conduct, the use of profanity and behavior that disrupts or impedes school activities.
Owsley said he was called to the football field during a Junior Varsity practice session after Schalk’s son “got into a heated argument” with Barnes. According to Owsley, the player called his father who arrived a short time later and confronted the coach. The ensuing exchange devolved into physical threats and shouted profanities.
In a meeting afterward in Owsley’s office, Owsley said Schalk acknowledged he “should have handled it better” and that he had made threats and used profanity.
“However, he felt there was wrong on both sides,” Owsley said.
Owsley reported that Schalk alleged Barnes was “in his son’s face” and spat on the 15-year-old player.
Speaking on his own behalf, Schalk told the board he was driving with his two other children in the vehicle when his son called him. “He was crying,” Schalk said. “He said the coach was ‘in my face, cussing at me and he spit on me’,” Schalk said he drove to the football field to deal with the situation.
“It was pretty obvious,” he said. “There was a 15-year-old kid off in the corner crying his eyes out because someone just spit on him. I was worked up. Some adult just spit in my son’s face. I’m still upset about it.”
Schalk admitted his language was profane during the confrontation, but he alleged Barnes’ approach to him also was laced with vulgarities. “He was cussing the same as me,” he said.
At some point, Schalk said he urged Barnes to come into the street for a fight and that Barnes initially agreed. Schalk said Barnes, however, stopped short of leaving the field, at which point Schalk suggested that he “call his boss.” Owsley reportedly arrived a few minutes later to defuse the situation.
“What’s being done to the coach?” Schalk asked. “I’ve been punished and my son has been punished. I’m seeking discipline for this guy. You just don’t spit in somebody’s face. That’s unsanitary. It’s disgusting.”
Owsley said that, if warranted, the incident could become a part of Barnes’ performance evaluation. Barnes is a first-year social sciences teacher and was hired as head coach this summer after former head coach Jake Bilbruck’s contract was not renewed.
Schalk alleged Barnes targeted his son because of a critical comment Schalk had posted on Facebook about Barnes’ coaching. He said Barnes belittled his son for wearing his football jersey to school while other students who did the same thing were not questioned. He claimed his son was harassed and targeted as retribution against him.
“I had forgotten about it,” he said. “I had forgotten about it. I put a critical comment on Facebook. When I remembered that, it all made sense.”
Jessica Street, another football parent, said a number of Junior Varsity parents had issues with Barnes. Asked how many parents had concerns with Barnes, Street replied, “At least 12. The majority of parents have a problem with Coach Barnes.”
Street also praised Schalk as a consistent cheerleader for Junior Varsity players, calling encouragement from the sidelines and boosting the team’s morale. Schalk said his son is considering quitting the team after the incident. “He said, ‘I look up in the stands to see you and you’re not there, and it just doesn’t seem right’,” Schalk reported.
Board member Bill Carter tried to confirm whether Barnes deliberately spat in the player’s face or if it was an inadvertent result of being in the boy’s face. Schalk claimed it was a deliberate act.
Returning to open session after deliberating about the incident, Board President Mark Hayes said written testimony from other coaches and players who witnessed the incident contradicted Schalk’s version of the incident. He noted that the board had the option of banning Schalk for a full calendar year but asked for a motion to instead exclude Schalk from extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year. That penalty was unanimously imposed on a motion by Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt.
Schalk did not react to the decision and left the meeting shortly after the vote.
BAND AND CHOIR TOUR
Following a brief presentation by band instructor Zach Simon and choir director Benjamin McCullough, the board approved an April trip for music students to Nashville, Tenn. The itinerary, offered by Educational Tours, Inc., includes visits to the Grand Old Opry, National Museum of African American Music, Ryman Auditorium and the RCA Recording Studio.
Planners tentatively planned to leave by chartered bus on Thursday, April 20, and return on Sunday, April 23, but may trim the trip by one day as a cost savings measure. Promoters originally priced the trip at $800 per student but recently notified Simon and McCullough that the cost had increased to $1,125.
The teachers said initial interest in the trip indicated they would have to take two coaches to accommodate students. If some students drop out before April, they said they might be able to cut back to one bus to save more money. As in past, the band and choir will sponsor fundraising activities over the coming months but participating students will be responsible for covering costs not covered by fundraising.
Due to the COVID pandemic, there has been no music tour since 2018 when the choir and band traveled to New Orleans. Board member Becky Hatlee said she went on that trip as a chaperone.
“It was a great trip,” she said. “This trip is incorporating more music-related activities.”
Hatlee moved to approve the trip with a second by Jack Burns.
INSURANCE POLICY
On the recommendation of Supt. Owsley, the board voted unanimously to renew a wide-ranging insurance policy and EWC Insurance and Zenith Insurance for an annual premium of $245,531. EWC provides coverage for property, liability, vehicles and umbrella coverage; Zenith provides coverage for workers compensation.
The new premium represents an increase of about $30,000 from last year’s premium of $218,666.
Owsley said the increase is due, in part, to the addition of the new Vocational Education building. Workers compensation increased significantly because “we had claims and they were big claims,” Owsley said.
At the request of board members, Owsley said he would seek bids from other providers for next year. Because the current policy is near termination, however, he recommended accepting the EWC/Zenith bid for this year.
REMOTE LEARNING CONTRACTS
In separate actions, the board accepted contracts with One Room, Inc. and Parallel, Inc. to provide remoter learning services through the district’s distance learning lab. Owsley said the remote learning options were necessary because the district has been unable to find a Spanish teacher for the district and has received no applications to fill and speech and language professional.
Parallel is providing speech and language services while One Room is filling the Spanish position.
High School Principal Jill Rosentreter said the Spanish sessions are going well, utilizing a remote Spanish teacher who actually is in Spain.
“Remote learning isn’t great,” Owsley said, “but at least it allows us to fulfill these requirements. It’s not perfect but it’s what we have.”
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Voted to move existing accounts from Associated Bank, Benld, to United Community Bank, Gillespie, in view of Associated Bank’s intended closure of the Benld location. Board policy calls for school funds to be deposited locally.
- Accepted “with regret” the announced retirement of music teacher Leana Sawyer, effective at the end of the 2023-24 school year.
- Hire Jeff Mueller as district custodian, pending a routine background check, and voted to post a vacancy for a district custodian.
- Reviewed sixth-day enrollment figures which put school enrollment at 1,114 on the sixth day of the school year. Owsley said another 39 students have enrolled since then, bringing enrollment to 1,153. The enrollment figure is down slightly from previous years. The average enrollment over the past eight years is 1,257.
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FELONIES
Justine D. Pocklington, 27 of Standard City, possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams), aggravated feeling police/21 mph over, no valid registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a February 2 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Katlyn N. Pilger, 21 of Benld, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (<$500) in connection with a March 28 incident.
Donald L. Lloyd, 46 of Staunton, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with an April 5 incident.
TRAFFIC
Tarina S. Slaughter, 47 of Girard, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an April 4 incident.
William C. Geiser, 60 of Gillespie, is charged with reckless driving in connection with an April 6 incident.
Lauren E. Wolfe, 21 of Granite City, is charged with improper use of registration/title and expiration of registration in connection with an April 3 incident.
Jim T. Wahl, 53 of Cottage Hills, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an April 8 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Nora Washington versus Joseph D. Washington
- Samantha Lehnen versus Chad Wallace
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Colton D. West of Hettick and Alina M. Carver of Scottville.
- Devin J. Martin and Mariah P. Crane, both of Bunker Hill.
- Jonathon E. Swisher of Shipman and Mackenzie P. Calvin of Saint Charles, MO.
- Lucas Boschelli and Danielle J. Boatman, both of Carlinville.
- Todd R. Leverton and Jennifer L. Bowman, both of Carlinville.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Oak Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Park Avenue in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Elm Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
Jonathan M. Kirkwood, 29 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for traffic.
An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Adams Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was out with a female at Trolley Street and Central Avenue in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Henry Street in East Gillespie. Camden G. Zumwalt, 18 of Staunton, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026
Cory D. Norton, 33 of Columbus, NC, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for driving while driver’s license was suspended. He also has a warrant out of Montgomery County for failure to appear while driver’s license was suspended.
An officer was dispatched to the intersection of Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was out with a male at Staunton Road and Charles Street in reference to a traffic crash. Tanner E. Moore, 28 of Gillespie, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage, using an electronic communication device, and failure to change address.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Frey Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Staunton Road in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Maple Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Richards Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was out in the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld. Amanda L. Broderick, 37 of Benld, was issued citations for unlawful possession of traffic signs and obstruction. Luther C. Welch, 31 of Shipman, was issued a citation for obstruction.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Berry Street in Mt. Clare in reference to a death investigation.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to illegal dumping and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 6th Street in Benld in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft in the 1200 block of Second Street.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street. Andrea M. Hulsey, 30 of Mt. Clare, was issued a citation for her minor child not wearing a seatbelt.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Broadway in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to Ben-Gil Elementary School in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to Kentucky Street and Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street to assist the Macoupin County Sheriff Department in serving an eviction notice.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a well-being check.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Dorsey Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Donaldson Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Trinity A. Pruitt, 22 of Benld, was issued citations for speeding and for illegal transportation of cannabis.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a civil issue.
The school resource officer brought a child to the Gillespie Police Department in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of West Spruce Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 2300 block of Staunton Road in Mt. Clare in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Clay Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026
An officer was dispatched near the water plant in reference to juveniles fighting.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Second Street in Benld in reference to assisting the Litchfield Police Department with a case.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Charles Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Henry Street in East Gillespie. Leonard J. Schwartz, 55 of Edwardsville, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Scott A. Byrd, 49 of Wilsonville, was issued a citation for expired registration.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026
Larry E. Conlee, 42 of Mt. Clare, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for dangerous drugs. He was also arrested for resisting a peace officer and aggravated battery.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to an animal complaint on Bishop Drive at Gillespie Lake.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Hard Road in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Walnut Street in reference to solicitation.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Community News
“History Belongs to All of Us”: Focus of Carlinville Community Conversation Series starting May 4
“History Belongs to All of Us,” a three-month series of events and activities commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence and emphasizing Illinois’ role in seizing liberty for the American people will kick off Monday, May 4, and continue through July 16, 2026.
The series is project of Carlinville Winning Communities funded by a grant from Illinois Humanities. The events will encourage participants to examine and discuss the Declaration of Independence and other primary historical documents through facilitated conversations, according to Mary Tinder, a Macoupin County Historical Society & Carlinville Winning Communities board member.
Carlinville Winning Communities was one of only 13 entities statewide to receive an Illinois Humanities grant to support the Community Conversations Series.
We are fortunate to have received Illinois Humanities funding for this unique project, With 2026 being the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 100th anniversary of Route 66, it is altogether fitting to explore where we’ve been and where we’re going, as well as to reflect on both and the cultural impact of our independence, Tinder said.
In keeping with the “History Belongs to All of Us” theme, several of the presentations and discussions will emphasize the role of Native Americans and the impact of American independence on Native American and other cultures.
Program topics will be explored through presentations by Illinois Humanities Road Scholars, live readings of historic documents, art, music and discussions. The programs are free to attend and all venues are handicapped accessible.
The series kicks off with “Illinois in the Revolutionary War,” a presentation by local historian and author Tom Emery, at 7 p.m., Monday, May 4, at the Macoupin County Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building, 920 W. Breckenridge St., Carlinville. Emery will lead a discussion of information included in his most recently published book, Illinois in the Revolutionary War.
“There was more to the war in Illinois than most people realize,” said Emery. “Revolutionary action took place in many parts of the state, and it was a struggle for all involved. It shows how hard many Americans worked for liberty.”
A discussion of Nicholas Welch’s 1812 Land Grant and the Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak, better known as Black Hawk, leader of the Sauk/Sac Indian tribes, is set for 7 p.m., Monday, June 1, in the Anderson Home parlor on the Macoupin County Historical Society grounds. Under the Land Grant program, the government set aside more than five million acres in western Illinois to compensate American war veterans with large tracts of land. Though Welch never set foot in Illinois, the granting of land to him displaced Black Hawk from his home in the area of present-day Rock Island. The facilitated discussion will focus on original historic documents, juxtaposing Welch’s land grant with Black Hawk’s experience.
Because of the smaller, more intimate venue, reservations are required. RSVP to marytinder1@gmail.com to reserve a seat.
“Relive the Mother Road: The Edwards Trace,” a collective analysis of documents and a look at contemporary research will be led by Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Anna Sielaff, Friday afternoon, June 26, during an Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee on the Macoupin County Courthouse lawn. Sielaff will discuss the 3,000-year-old Edwards Trace, used by Native Americans and early Illinois settlers, that stretched from Cahokia to Peoria. Portions of the trace run through Macoupin County, and some sections lay along the original alignment of Route 66. Imagine Rural Arts also will lead an art project in connection with how the trail was marked.
The Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee event runs from noon into the evening with food, musical performances, literary presentations, games, food and other activities.
The date is significant for Carlinville and Route 66 since 6/26/26 happens to be our zip code! The Jubilee offers a variety of experiences and taking a deeper look at the Edwards Trace and the Mother Road is an interesting way to explore local history on this unique date and location, Tinder noted.
Continuing on to the July 4th holiday, Macoupin County high school and college students will read the Declaration of Independence aloud in the main courtroom of the historic Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville at 10 a.m. The event also will feature a display of more than 30 historic flags provided by the George Rogers Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. A facilitated discussion will follow the reading and participants will be invited to sign the “Macoupin County America @ 250 Time Capsule” book. The book will then be on display at the Macoupin County Historical Society, said Andrea Duncan, one of the organizers.
A unique and somewhat mysterious artifact from Macoupin County will be the subject of a presentation at 7 p.m., Monday, July 6, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. Sharon Breyden and husband Tommy Breyden will display and discuss the Black Hawk Tablet, uncovered in the 1940s on a farm near Hettick. The odd inscriptions on the lead medallion suggests Black Hawk and an early Macoupin settler formalized an agreement to peacefully coexist in central Illinois.
For the final program of the Carlinville Community Conversations series, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Kim Sigafus, a member of the Ojibwa Native American tribe, will present “We the Native People” at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. The focus is on Native Americans at the time the Declaration of Independence was signed. The interactive program will use traditional story-telling and music to help audience members understand the groundswell changes in Native American culture and lifestyle resulting from American independence and subsequent western expansion.
For more information and details about the “History Belongs to All of Us” series, contact Carlinville Winning Communities Board members, Andrea Duncan, (217) 204-1446, or Mary Tinder, (217) 825-9699.
