Community News
School board approves asphalt projects with objection
Elementary Principal Turcol presented Tenley Bussmann and Isabelle Balzraine with a certificate of recognition and a $25 Walmart gift certificate for having perfect attendance for kindergarten through the fifth grade.
With one dissenting vote, the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night approved projects to pave two areas behind the Gillespie high school/middle school complex with asphalt, and voted unanimously to repave the district’s bus lot with rock chips. The asphalt projects—covering an area behind the Middle School gym and an area behind the high school gym and breezeway between the gym and school building—will basically complete a three-year project to pave critical areas associated with the school complex. DeLaurent Construction Co., Wilsonville, will do the work at a total cost of $41,431.
The board also unanimously approved a plan to alter the BenGil Elementary School’s federal Title grant program from a “targeted assistance” program to a school-wide program—a move that will give the district more flexibility in how it uses Title program grant money and limit the amount of grant money used to make pension contributions for Title program teachers. Additionally the board held a lengthy discussion about using a fingerprint system for students participating in the school lunch and breakfast programs in lieu of using identification cards.
ASPHALTING PROJECT AND GMS SCIENCE LAB
Board member Weye Schmidt expressed strong objections to approving projects to asphalt two areas behind Gillespie High School and Middle School this summer, saying the board had committed to spending no more revenue from the County School Facilities Sales Tax for paving projects until after it spent some of the funds on classroom improvements. Specifically, he noted the board had discussed building a middle school science lab and renovating the high school vocational education facility before approving more infrastructure improvements. Supt. Tieman and several board members, however, said the two projects approved Monday night were part of an overall program approved by the board earlier.
Schmidt voted against a motion to have DeLaurent Construction asphalt an area used for boarding buses directly behind the middle school gym at a cost of $17,985, as well as a second motion to asphalt an area behind the high school gym/breezeway at a cost of $15,998. Schmidt did, however, support a motion to rock and chip the school district’s bus lot at a cost of $7,448, also with DeLaurent Construction doing the project.
[pullquote]The projects will complete a three-year program to asphalt critical areas around the high school/middle school complex.[/pullquote]
The projects will complete a three-year program to asphalt critical areas around the high school/middle school complex. Previously, the district completed asphalt paving of an area in front of the middle school and bus turn-around lanes behind the building complex. The two asphalt projects will virtually result in the entire area behind the school being paved with asphalt.
Earlier in the meeting, Tieman reported that the paving projects had been a major topic of discussion during a meeting of the Building and Grounds Committee a week earlier. He provided the board with estimates of anticipated sales tax revenue for the coming year, based on what the district has received so far this year. Accounting for $66,000 the board spent for concrete and asphalt paving projects last year and a commitment of 20 percent of sales tax revenue for reducing bond indebtedness, Tieman said the district should clear $142,000 in sale tax revenue at the end of the year. With carry-over funds from the previous year “we would be sitting with $400,000 in funds as we approach the science lab project,” he said.
“I think we agreed we would not be doing any more paving and concrete work until we do something with classrooms,” Schmidt said. Last year, the district spent more than $66,000 for sidewalk repairs and asphalting, he said. Approving $41,000 in additional paving projects Monday night, $32,000 of which was for asphalt, would bring the total to “$108,000, according to Schmidt. “I don’t know how we can justify spending $32,000 on concrete and asphalt when we don’t know what the science lab is going to cost.”
He also suggested the areas targeted for asphalting are “not that bad” and not in immediate need of attention.
“I looked at these areas and I feel all three need to be done,” President Mark Hayes said. Hayes also argued for doing both asphalting projects at the same time to reduce seams and result in a better overall product. “The one behind the high school is not as bad, but you’ll get a better product by doing both of them at the same time.”
While acknowledging Schmidt’s concerns, board member Bill Carter said the board agreed to do the additional paving as part of an overall project approved last year. “We talked at length about that whole area,” he said.
Tieman suggested that as an alternative, the board could chose to pay for the paving projects from the district’s Operations Fund instead of the Sales Tax Fund, but that action would reduce the amount of money available in Operations for the coming year. Addressing the area behind the high school, he noted that it has been paved with rock and chips in the past but that surface is subject to being displaced during snow removal in the winter. “Rock and chip is great but you get more bang for your buck with asphalt if you can afford it,” he said.
[pullquote]“Rock and chip is great but you get more bang for your buck with asphalt if you can afford it,” he said.[/pullquote]
In a related matter, Tieman noted the Building and Grounds Committee also held preliminary discussions regarding a new science lab for the middle school. Tentative plans are to consolidate three rooms at the north end of the classroom wing across the hall from the band/chorus room and move the east wall two feet into the hallway to create a new space for the science lab. In addition to classroom space, the new room would include a fully equipped chemistry/science lab and a robotics lab. Tieman said the school architect will complete detailed renderings for the board’s review at a later date. In the meantime, he said he anticipates taking the board to the building in September to view the area in which the anticipated lab will be built.
“This is our opportunity to do this and benefit 300-plus kids,” Tieman said. “The idea is that by starting at this (middle school) level, there is a trickle up effect and our high school program can adjust to kids coming in with those skills.”
If the board approves the science lab project, Tieman said construction could begin next June.
While no firm cost projections have been done, Schmidt asked Tieman to speculate about the potential cost of the project during the discussion on the paving projects.
“If we do everything we want to do,” Tieman said, “that lab probably will come in at about $500,000.” The cost, however, could be spread over two to three years if the board chooses, depending upon sales tax revenue and other expenses.
TITLE PROGRAM ALTERATION
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Dennis Tiburzi, the board approved a measure to switch the federal Title grant program at BenGil Elementary School from a “targeted assistance” program to a school-wide program.
Tieman said the current “targeted assistance” designation forces the district to pay Title teachers with Title grant funds, which necessitates the district to making federal Teacher Retirement System contributions for in the amount of 38 percent for those staff members. Switching to a school-wide program will allow the district to take Title teacher salaries from the Education Fund and make state TRS contributions at the level of nine percent.
[pullquote]“Right now, you’re losing a dollar for every three you pay in teacher salaries just in TRS,” Tieman said.[/pullquote]
“Right now, you’re losing a dollar for every three you pay in teacher salaries just in TRS,” Tieman said.
Moreover, the change will allow the district to use Title grant money for staff development for all elementary teachers, rather than Title teachers only.
Elementary Principal Angela Turcol, who drafted the plan to change the designation, said the move will allow for more flexibility in how Title grant funds are spent and the number of students benefitting from those expenditures. For example, she said, under the current designation, only students enrolled in Title programs would be able to use computers or other equipment purchased with Title grant money. Changing the designation to a school-wide program will enable other students to also use the equipment.
“It will benefit more students,” she said. “It gives us more leeway, especially when it comes to purchasing technology or other resources.”
FINGERPRINTS FOR LUNCH
Tieman said he will add an agenda item next month for the board to vote on whether or not to authorize a fingerprint reading system for administering the district’s lunch and breakfast programs. Currently, students participating in the school lunch program are issued identification cards that are scanned by clerical staff during lunch and breakfast periods. Those cards then have to be sorted by classroom and returned to the students in the afternoon. Tieman said administrators are proposing a fingerprint reading system in which participants’ fingerprints will be entered into the system. During lunch and breakfast periods, students would simply place their finger on a computerized reader that would then read the fingerprint and clear the student to receive his or her meal.
“Right now we use cards that are scanned,” said GMS Principal Jill Rosentreter, “which sounds good but in reality it’s not. It’s a nightmare.” She said the current system requires an inordinate amount of staff time to administer and requires staff to deal with the issue of lost or damaged cards.
[pullquote]She said district technology coordinator Mark Carpani is looking into the fingerprint system.[/pullquote]
She said district technology coordinator Mark Carpani is looking into the fingerprint system. The current estimate is that the district can buy the units for $2,500 per pair and that two pairs would be needed for a total cost of about $5,000. All three building administrators said similar systems are being used successfully at other schools. One possible pitfall, they said, would be the need for waivers for parents or guardians who might object to the school district having their children’s fingerprints on file. Newly hired High School Principal Shane Owsley said the North-Mac School District, where he was previously employed, has used a fingerprint system successfully and has had no complaints from parents.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE
Early in the meeting, the board recognized three district students who had perfect attendance for several consecutive years. Tieman noted that Allison Bires, a senior who graduated this year, had perfect school attendance all four years of her high school career. Elementary Principal Turcol presented Tenley Bussmann and Isabelle Balzraine with a certificate of recognition and a $25 Walmart gift certificate for having perfect attendance for kindergarten through the fifth grade. Bires, who was unable to attend the meeting, will receive a certificate of recognition and a $25 check.
[pullquote]When I found out we had some students who had not missed a day of school all year, I thought that was amazing.[/pullquote]
“A great attendance record to me is you’re in school 98 or 99 percent of the time,” Tieman said. “When I found out we had some students who had not missed a day of school all year, I thought that was amazing. Then I had a principal say to me, ‘Hey, we have kids who haven’t missed a day of school in their entire career’.”
Tieman congratulated the students and thanked their parents for “making attending school a priority.”
SCHOOL FUNDING
Tieman distributed to the board a copy of a statement he sent to local media outlets urging passage of Senate Bill 1, sponsored in part by local Sen. Andy Manar, which will change the way the state funds local schools if passed and signed into law by the governor.
“As a superintendent, I’m supportive of that,” Tieman said. “I think it’s a more equitable way of funding education.”
If it becomes law, Tieman said, the legislation would result in the district receiving about $623,673 in additional state aid.
The full text of Tieman’s statement appears elsewhere on the BenGil Post website.
COACHING STAFF
By a unanimous vote, the board approved a roster of high school and middle school athletic coaches for the 2017-18 school year as follows:
- HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: Celia Jubelt, head coach; Tara Allen, assistant.
- HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Jack Burns, freshman head coach; Don Dobrino and Randy Redmon, volunteers.
- HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ SOCCER: Devon Schoen.
- HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: Kevin Gray, head coach; Christina Blevins, varsity assistant.
- HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ BASKETBALL: Casey Sholtis, head coach; Matt Brawner, varsity assistant; Dan Edgerton, assistant.
- HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ TRACK: Jack Burns, head coach.
- HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING: Kenna Moats.
- HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ TRACK: Mike Bertagnolli.
- HIGH SCHOOL TRACK ASSISTANT: Jeff Nehls.
- HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: Michelle Smith, head coach; Joe Kelly, assistant; Jim Matesa, volunteer.
- HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Jeremy Smith, head coach; Tim Wargo, assistant; Adam Tallman and Dan Smith, volunteers.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL BASEBALL: Jeremy Smith, head coach; Tim Wargo, assistant.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEER COACH: Gina Frensko, head coach; Kylie Frensko, assistant.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL 8th GRADE BASKETBALL COACH: Stuart Ringer.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL 7th GRADE BASKETBALL COACH: Tim Wargo.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL 8th GRADE VOLLEYBALL COACH: Celia Jubelt.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS’ TRACK COACH: Christina Blevins.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS’ TRACK COACH: Casey Niehaus.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOLAR BOWL COACH: Kyle Lamore.
In a separate action, the board approved the appointment of Matt Brown as a volunteer high school football coach for the 2017-18 school year, pending certification.
ATHLETIC RECOGNITION
Tieman took a few minutes to publicly recognize several student athletes from the school district who have been recently recognized for their performance during the past year.
Tieman noted that Addison Bryant was included on the State Journal-Register’s All Area Softball Team and was a first team designee on the All State Softball Team. Mackenzie Kassarda was named to the second team All-State Softball team, and Rylee Jarman and Rylee Sarti were both named for third team honors.
Tate Wargo was named to the State Journal Register All Area Baseball Team.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Voted to award a contract to Kohl’s Wholesale, Quincy, to provide commodities for the district’s school lunch and breakfast programs.
- Approved draft student handbooks for the elementary, middle school and high school for the coming school year.
- Renewed the district’s policy with Blue Cross/Blue Shield for health insurance. Tieman said he was able to negotiate a one percent increase in the premium while keeping the same level of coverage and the same deductibles. “Across the industry, that’s basically unheard of,” he said. “Blue Cross/Blue Shield likes the stability of our district.”
- Renewed an Intergovernmental Transportation Agreement with Jerseyville Community Unit School District 100 to transport a local student to the Illinois School for the Deaf in Jacksonville during the coming school year.
- Approved a required measure certifying that the district will only employ contractors who pay their employees prevailing wages as determined by the Department of Labor.
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Ye Olde Christmas is the theme of the Macoupin County Historical Society’s annual Christmas Show, which will be held Friday through Sunday, December 5–7, at the John C. Anderson Home and Museum, 920 West Breckenridge in Carlinville.
“The Christmas Show is one of the most magical times to visit the Anderson Home,” said MCHS Board Member and House Manager Brandy England. “Some families make it an annual Christmas tradition to visit the Anderson Home when it is decorated for Christmas. It’s a great opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit and pick up some ideas for decorating your own home for the holidays.”
MCHS member Kendra Mize, of Bunker Hill, who has coordinated the decorating effort for more than two decades, has again marshalled a small army of volunteers to decorate all 13 rooms of the home. Each room features a themed Christmas tree, along with mantle pieces, centerpieces, tabletop decor, garlands and florals, and other special touches.
The home will be open for self-guided tours from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 5; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 6; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 7.
“We’re very excited to offer for the first time candlelight tours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,” said Shawna Ashby, who serves as a co-manager with England. “Viewing the decorated home by candlelight promises to be a magical experience.”
The final candlelight tours on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the home is five dollars for adults and one dollar for children ages five to 12, with four-year-olds and younger admitted free of charge.
The Anderson Home Gift Shop will be open during tour hours, offering one-of-a-kind gift items and stocking stuffers. Santa Claus will be on hand in the downstairs parlor to greet children and listen to their Christmas wishes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.
While the decorated home is the centerpiece of the Christmas Show, several other features on the Historical Society’s grounds will be open. The Red Barn will be open and serving hearty beef stew, chili, homemade pies, and warming holiday beverages such as wassail and hot chocolate on Friday and Saturday.
The General Store and Print Shop will be decorated and open to the public, with the Print Shop offering its popular handmade Christmas cards and other items produced in the shop; kids can print their own blank “Santa List” to keep track of their Christmas wishes.
“The General Store offers unique gift items, including some small antiques, for shoppers to peruse,” England noted.
Local blacksmiths will demonstrate their craft in the MCHS Blacksmith Shop located on the north side of the Historical Society Grounds, with wrought iron gift items, including stocking hooks and decorative pieces, available for purchase.
The Macoupin County Historical Society’s Christmas Show runs concurrently with the Carlinville Christmas Market and Downtown Christmas events, and a free trolley and shuttle buses include the Anderson Home as a regular stop during the festivals, enabling visitors to ride from the square or the Macoupin County Fairgrounds to the Historical Society grounds.
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted to approve a property tax levy request totaling $3,920,295 for 2025 property taxes payable in 2026. Because of tax caps and other factors, however, the district expects to collect only an estimated $3,786,607 of the requested amount.
In addition to acting on the tax levy, the board also held a lengthy discussion regarding annual district “report cards” issued by the Illinois State Board of Education to assess school performance from last year, approved a high school band/choir performance trip to Chicago in March, and agreed to apply for a school maintenance grant of up to $50,000 in matching funds.
The new proposed levy exceeds last year’s tax extension of $3,599,569 by more than $320,726—an increase of about nine percent if the levy were to be approved at the county level. The more realistic anticipation of $3,786,607 exceeds last year’s extension by $187,038, or an increase of about three percent. A Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), approved by Macoupin County voters in 1995, restricts increases in the levy to five percent or the federal Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. This year’s CPI is estimated at 2.9 percent.
The approved levy seeks $1,650,000 for the Education Fund while expecting to realize $1,653,831; $450,229 for Operations & Maintenance, while anticipating $438,041; $200,000 for Transportation while expecting $180,434; $35,000 for Working Cash while expecting $42,602; $174,700 for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund while anticipating $117,788; $154,101 for Social Security while expecting $105, 248; $247,264 for Tort while anticipating $240,570; and $33,501 for Special Education while expecting $32,593. For Bond and Interest, which is not subject to PTELL, the district is levying $975,500 while anticipating the same amount.
Local property tax revenue accounts for about 20 percent of the district’s overall annual budget.
Because the levy request exceeds 105 percent of the previous year’s extension, a public hearing is required. That hearing is scheduled at the start of the board’s regular December meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15. In the meantime, the proposed levy is available for public inspection on the district’s website and in the district office.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Owsley emphasized the levy request is essentially a wish list for what the district would like to raise through property taxes.
“The levy is the ‘Christmas list’ I talk about every year,” Owsley said. “If you don’t put it on the list, you’re not going to get it.”
Projecting what the district can legally seek under tax caps can be challenging because the district’s total equalized assessed valuation will not be confirmed until after Jan. 1 while state law requires the district to file its levy request before the end of December. For that reason, local school districts routinely file requests that exceed what they actually expect to receive in property tax revenue, and rely on the County Clerk to adjust the request to the maximum amount the district can receive.
“Because of tax caps, we have one shot to capture increases in the EAV and new construction,” Owsley said. “If we don’t do that, we lose it in perpetuity.”
To calculate the new levy, Owsley projected a 15.12 percent increase in the EAV—nearly double the previous year’s rate of increase. By overestimating the EAV growth, the district expects to capture the entire increase in assessed valuation when that number is finally determined.
“Even though we know the EAV will likely be around the historical average, we base our levy on a much higher amount so as not to lose revenue from new growth,” Owsley told the board. “We can do this without running the risk of overtaxing taxpayers because the district will receive no more than what we are entitled to by law.”
Owsley said relatively stable increases in EAV have resulted in a steadily declining tax rate. Since 2014 when the rate was $4.24 per $100 in EAV, the rate has fallen to $3.20 for 2024. In other words, the county can use a lower rate to generate the extension to which the district is entitled because the value of taxable property has increased.
“As long as the EAV goes up by more than the Consumer Price Index, our tax rates are going to go down,” Owsley noted.
SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT CARDS
The board spent several minutes discussing recently released school report cards issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. Interested persons can view local report cards by visiting https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
All three attendance centers received a “Commendable” designation, meaning there are no student groups that are underperforming academically, and the high school graduation rate exceeds 67 percent. Last year, BenGil Elementary School achieved an “Exemplary” designation—the top designation a school can achieve.
Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto said administrators knew the school would not earn an Exemplary rating, even though students are state average in English/language arts, math and science. The Report Card designations are based on growth rather than academic performance. With students already exceeding state standards last year, the opportunity for growth was limited.
Assistant Principal Tara Cooper agreed, noting BenGil Elementary’s student performance is in the upper half of schools statewide that are meeting academic standards. “So, while we are not ‘Exemplary,’ we’re very happy with where we are.”
Supt. Owsley told the board the State Board of Education is working on revamping the assessment system because of the growth vs. performance issue. “That’s why they’re redoing all of this because they are penalizing schools for meeting goals,” he said.
For Gillespie Middle School, the report card shows students meeting or exceeding state averages in math and science but significantly lagging in English/language arts.
“ELA is our most concerning area,” Principal Patrick McGinthy told the board, “along with absenteeism.” The report card shows a chronic absenteeism rate of 25 percent, but Owsley and other administrators said the rate is exacerbated by the State Board of Education including nearly all absences whether or not they are excused.
Rosentreter noted the State Board will allow a student to be absent five days for illness without a doctor’s excuse. On the sixth day, however, the absence is unexcused unless the parent or guardian provides a doctor’s slip. Many parents, however, are reluctant to pay for a doctor’s visit for a child that is suffering from a minor illness.
McGinthy said Middle School teachers are attempting to address the deficiency in English/language arts by increasing writing exercises and requiring students to write in conjunction with other curriculum areas.
Rosentreter noted that the assessment standards for high schools differ from the standards for elementary and middle schools in that the State Board emphasizes graduation rates. For Gillespie, the graduation rate is an impressive 86 percent, though chronic absenteeism checks in at 31 percent.
“Math is definitely our shining star,” Rosentreter said, noting the school scored 17.8 points compared with the state average of 18. The school performed less well in the areas of English/language arts and science, scoring 16 points on ELA compared with the state score of 18 and 17.2 points compared with the state average of 19.
The report cards are based on results for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) test for elementary and middle school students, and ACT scores for high school students.
Administrators said it’s difficult to motivate students to do well on state-mandated tests since the tests do not affect the student’s grade point average. To incentivize testing, Rosentreter said the high school is offering to let students skip final exams if they hit state standards on the mandated tests.
Owsley noted that the district report card documents the continuing decline in school enrollment—dropping from 1,325 seven years ago to 1,082 for the 2024-25 academic year.
“We don’t see that turning around anytime soon,” Owsley said. “It’s not just a Gillespie thing; it’s a trend for schools throughout Macoupin County.
BAND/CHOIR TRIP TO CHICAGO
Following a presentation by band/choir instructor Brad Taulbee, the board approved a high school band and choir performance tour to Chicago set for March 19-21. Taulbee said the tour company retained for the trip places emphasis on security and safety for traveling students. The company supplements hotel security with its own security personnel to monitor student rooms during the trip.
The tour includes workshop sessions at Vandercook College in downtown Chicago, and performances by the choir at the John Hancock Center and by the band at one of the city’s museums.
Taulbee said he is attempting to keep the cost affordable for participating students. Depending upon the number of students who ultimately go on the trip, he said he expects the cost to be about $739 per person. Additionally, he is lining up sponsors who can help with expenses for students who could not otherwise afford to participate.
“Security is my main concern,” said Board President Mark Hayes. “We just came back from there and seven people were shot in the area we were in.”
Taulbee said he expects to recruit seven to 10 chaperones and will ensure that the ratio of students to chaperones does not exceed 1:10.
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANT
The board concurred with Supt. Owsley’s recommendation to again apply for a state School Maintenance grant of up to $50,000. The grant is a “matching” grant requiring the district to match grant funds dollar for dollar. The district has successfully applied for the grant for the past several years.
If the application is successful, Owsley said the funds will likely be used to remove asbestos-containing floor tiles in the choir room and elsewhere in the Middle School.
PERSONNEL
Following an executive session of about 40 minutes to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Tim Wargo as an assistant high school baseball coach and post the position as vacant, and voted to appoint Wargo as the head high school baseball coach for the coming season.
In separate actions, the board approved maternity leaves for Alexis Lupkey, district paraprofessional, and Gear-Up Coordinator Jordan Bartok. Lupkey’s leave is tentatively scheduled from Dec. 8 through March 18. Bartok’s leave is expected from Dec. 12 through Jan.6.
Board members voted unanimously to hire Christopher Whaley as a substitute bus driver, pending a routine background check and documentation of certification.
The board also voted unanimously to terminate Makayla Huff as a three-hour cook and post the position as vacant.
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to rehire fall coaches as follows: Jordan Bartok as head high school girls volleyball coach with Shelsie Price, as an assistant coach; Cory Bonstead as head football coach with Nate Henrichs, Jarrod Herron, Korben Clark, Alex Jasper, J.O. Kelly, Billy Gill and Florian Seferi as assistant and volunteer assistant coaches; Jay Weber as head coach for the parent-funded high school cross-country program with Jack Burns as a volunteer assistant coach; Jake Kellebrew as head coach for the parent-funded high school golf program, with Michael Otten as a volunteer assistant coach; Tim Wargo as head middle school baseball coach with Trae Wargo as assistant coach; Michelle Smith as head middle school softball coach with Jim Matesa, Joe Kelly and Melissa Heigert as assistant coaches; and Liz Thackery as head coach for the parent-funded middle school cross-country program with Laura Peterson as a volunteer assistant coach.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, Supt. Owsley introduced newly hired School Resource Officer Jacob Linhart, and High School Principal provided a report with photos of a recent school-wide Veterans Day observance.
Linhart, who has served five years as a police officer on the Gillespie Police Department, replaces Wade Hendricks, who recently retired after serving three years as the CUSD 7 School Resource Officer.
Linhart said it is a “great privilege” to serve as a Resource Officer, protecting students and staff. “I’m honored that you guys are allowing me to do it,” he said.
High School Principal Rosentreter said the school served breakfast to about 200 veterans and their families Tuesday morning, Nov. 11. Later, the veterans were joined by nearly 700 high school and middle school students for a recognition ceremony in the high school gymnasium.
Since the event coincided with the 25th anniversary of CUSD 7’s Wall of Honor program, the annual event did double duty as an induction ceremony for five are individuals, all of whom happened to be U.S. Military veterans.
The inductees included the late Sergeant Major John Marion Malnar, Command Sergeant Major John “Jack” Burns, Colonel Mark Daley, Lieutenant Colonel William P. Falke and Captain Robert Leone. Rosentreter said Daley and Leone traveled with their families from Colorado and Texas, respectively, to attend the ceremonies.
Burns, a retired CUSD 7 teacher, later visited BenGil Elementary School to present a program and teach students how to properly fold an American flag.
Rosentreter recognized the City of Gillespie for a donation of $1,000 to help purchase food for the veterans.
Born in Benld and a resident of Sawyerville, “Big John” Malnar earned a Silver Star during the Korean Conflict and a Gold Star, awarded posthumously after he was killed in action in 1968 in Vietnam. A Marine training center at Camp Geiger in North Carolina is named in his honor.
Though not a Wall of Honor inductee, Jacob Miller, a 100-year-old World War II veteran and recipient of two Purple Hearts, was recognized with a standing ovation.
The annual Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony provides students with an opportunity to meet and recognize local veterans as potential role models for their own futures.
Owsley said the event is a major event on the district’s calendar which grew out of a simple flagpole ceremony initiated 25 years ago.
CEJA GRANT FUNDS
Board members briefly discussed plans for about $74,000 in anticipated Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant funds. The federal program is intended to compensate communities that have experienced revenue loss as a result of coal mine closures.
Owsley said the district committed about $86,000 in last year’s CEJA grant funds to the City of Gillespie to help pay for improvements to Plum Street, which is heavily used by district school buses. He has not transferred those funds, however, pending the start of the project.
Owsley said he was seeking the board’s input on how the money should be used.
“We could continue to partner with the city on Plum Street,” he said. “But there are plenty of project areas within the school.” The money could be used, for example, for continuing asbestos abatement. He identified other upcoming needs, including a new roof for the high school/middle school and an HVAC project.
President Hayes pointed out the school district paid for improvements to Kelly Street when BenGil Elementary was built and subsidized a project to reconfigure drainage on Broadway Street, in addition to the dollars committed for Plum Street.
“The school district is not in the business of building roads,” he said. “I think we’ve been more than generous with the city.”
Board member Peyton Bernot agreed the money should be committed for use by the school district.
TRIPLE I CONFERENCE
Several board members who attended a conference for board members and administrators Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23, in Chicago, commented briefly about their take-aways from conference sessions. Popularly known as the Triple I Conference, the convention is sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials.
Owsley said more than 700 Illinois school districts were represented, making the Triple I the largest gathering of education professionals in North America.
Bernot briefly reported on a session he attended regarding upcoming legislation and financial outlooks for school districts. He described the session as “much less optimistic” than sessions he’s attended in the past.
Owsley was among the convention presenters, discussing social-emotional learning. He commented that several districts attending reported efforts to involve students in school administrators. Some districts, he said, appointed a non-voting student representative to the school board to take part in discussions directly affecting students.
“When you think about it, we hear from faculty members and we hear from parents,” Hayes commented. “The people we don’t hear from are the most important part of what we do.”
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The Holiday Sparkle Committee of Gillespie is preparing for the 4th Annual Holiday Sparkle Lighted Parade and Community Tree Lighting, set for Sunday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Gillespie. This beloved community tradition invites residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season with lights, music, and festive cheer.
Food trucks will line the parade route starting at 4:00 p.m., offering a variety of tasty options for families to enjoy before and during the celebration. The event will culminate in the illuminated parade and the ceremonial lighting of the community tree, signaling the official start of the season’s celebrations.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be a special performance by Gillespie area students in grades 3 through 5. The group will join together to sing Christmas carols, lending their voices to the town’s joyous welcome to the holidays.
Parade participants are invited to bring extra sparkle to the evening—whether by entering a parade float, walking in the parade, or simply attending to enjoy the atmosphere. Participation helps make the event truly magical for the entire community. The only requirement for the parade is all entries have to incorporate holiday lighting.
To join the parade lineup, interested participants can sign up at https://forms.gle/L7Q4tEkgjj8Lt5E47. The Holiday Sparkle Committee expresses gratitude for the ongoing support of residents, businesses, and volunteers who help bring this festive occasion to life each year.
The second part of the holiday festivities will take place on Saturday, December 13 when the Sparkle will sponsor the vendor fair and food trucks in downtown Gillespie including a visit from Santa. Vendors will be located in the Gillespie Civic Center, Zion Lutheran Church, and Emma G’s Upscale Boutique while local businesses and eateries will also be open. An egg nog jog benefitting Gillespie Cross Country will also be held on December 13 and interested participants can join here.
The Holiday Sparkle Committee invites everyone to mark their calendars and join in the celebration. For more information, please contact the committee by email at gillespieholidaysparkle@gmail.com or visit Gillespie Holiday Sparkle on Facebook.
