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School board approves further planning related to middle school STEM lab

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Tom Hyde of Graham & Hyde Architects, Springfield, displays the proposed Gillespie Middle School STEM lab to the school board Monday evening.

The Gillespie CUSD 7 school board also gave its stamp of approval for Tom Hyde of Graham & Hyde Architects, Springfield, to proceed with further planning and design work related to the construction of a new science lab for Gillespie Middle School on a motion by Dennis Tiburzi, seconded by Bill Carter. The board voted unanimously to proceed with plans for building a new middle school science lab following a brief presentation by Hyde detailing preliminary plans for the project.

Hyde emphasized that the plan is “a preliminary plan” based on discussions with administrators and staff from last spring. While the final plan will be subject to revisions over the next couple of months, Hyde said he would like to have the project finalized in time to advertise for bids in February or March with an eye toward having the project ready to open by the second semester of the 2018-19 school year.

Under his tentative schedule, major work, including asbestos abatement, moving walls, and plumbing work would be done during the summer break between the current school year and the 2018-19 academic year. Finishing work would be done during the first semester when students already are in attendance.

“When the kids come back, they’ll be able to walk down a finished corridor,” Hyde said, adding that the total scope of the work probably will take about eight months to complete. “We’re probably looking at a year from today (to complete the project),” he said.

The tentative plan calls for the lab to be located on the west side of the northwest wing of the middle school facility adjacent to the band room and across the hall from the chorus room.

The tentative plan calls for the lab to be located on the west side of the northwest wing of the middle school facility adjacent to the band room and across the hall from the chorus room. Part of the summer work, Hyde said, would include installation of sound absorbing materials on the wall between the band room and science lab. To gain square footage, the east wall of the classroom would be moved out, eliminating locker space in that section of the corridor.

The lab itself is projected to include three distinct rooms—a traditional lab capable of seating 36 students, a “flexible” classroom space for group projects capable of seating 32 students, and a “Lego “ lab/robotics center capable of accommodating 32 students. Additionally, the plan includes storage space, a six-unit computer center for independent student and three-dimensional printers in the Lego lab area.

Hyde tentatively projected the cost of the project at $520,000, excluding furniture and non-permanent equipment. Tieman said the district plans to pay for the project with money accruing to the district from the county-wide school facilities sales tax that was implemented last year. Proceeds from the sales tax is earmarked for capital projects and improvements to school facilities, but cannot be used for equipment costs such as computers and moveable furnishings.

Tieman noted that construction of a middle school science lab was among the issues the district cited when urging voters to approve the county-wide school facilities sales tax two years ago.

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“Aside from the fact that it (the science lab) is sorely needed,” Tieman said, “this is a pledge we made to the community.”

Tieman said he had spoken with both local banks about borrowing up to $600,000 for the project to be paid back with sales tax funds. Based on those conversations he said the district would be obligated to pay $130,000 to $135,000 annually to service the debt over five years. The district is receiving about $360,000 in sales tax revenue every year, Tieman said, 20 percent of which is obligated for paying down bonded debt incurred for capital projects such as the new elementary school. Even with the 20 percent obligated for debt reduction and annual payments of $130,000 for the science lab, the district would have about $150,000 remaining every year “that we can bank or use for other projects,” Tieman said.

“I think financially we can do this,” Tieman concluded.

“I think financially we can do this,” Tieman concluded.

Tieman said the district already has received some donations of cash from community members and organizations to help pay for laptop computers, lab equipment and other amenities for which sales tax revenue cannot be spent. He said once the community is aware that the district is moving ahead with the science lab plans, he expects additional donations will come in.

“I can find the funding,” he said. “When it’s ready to open, we will have a state-of-the-art STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) lab.”

Middle School Principal Jill Rosentreter said the lab is “a dream come true for middle school science.” She said current classroom space is not capable of providing students with the hands-on educational activities that are required for students to meet current science curriculum standards.

After a brief discussion between the board and Hyde, Hyde agreed to develop an alternative plan that would include a vented safety hood for chemical experiments and demonstrations. The current tentative plan doesn’t include such equipment.

President Hayes asked whether it would be more expensive to install a hood at a later date after the lab is completed.

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“You could add it at a later date,” Hyde responded, “but it’s always cheaper to do it today.” Hyde noted, however, that the trend among school districts is to eliminate hands-on experiments with chemicals, relying instead on computer simulations.

Middle School Principal Jill Rosentreter said the lab is “a dream come true for middle school science.”

“I think part of it is chemical storage,” said high school biology teacher Michelle Smith. “As you know, we spent a couple of thousand last year disposing of chemicals that were here long before I came. If we’re talking about a high school lab, it might be different.”

Hayes said offering hands-on chemistry experience could be crucial in preparing students for college where hands-on chemical experimentation is routine. Rosentreter, however, said there currently is no need for a hood to accommodate chemistry experiments at the middle school level.

“There’s no need currently,” Hayes emphasized. He suggested the hood might be wise in anticipation of any kind of circumstances that would require high school students to use the middle school lab. He noted that the district has in recent years shifted classroom use in response to emergencies such as the loss of the former Benld Elementary School.

Ultimately, Hyde agreed with Tieman’s suggestion to price the project with and without a hood.

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Macoupin County house fire claims lives of three family members

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A devastating house fire in Virden on Saturday, February 15 has left the community mourning the loss of a father and his two sons. The fire occurred in the 200 block of West Neal Street and was reported by a passerby around 9:20 in the morning.

Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon confirmed that Kyle James, 34, and his 13-year-old son, Hunter James, were pronounced dead at Springfield Memorial Hospital following the tragic incident on Saturday morning. The fire also claimed the life of 10-year-old Jacob James, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday. All victims succumbed to smoke inhalation.

Jacob was a sixth grader at the Springfield Sangamon Area Special Education District (SASED), while Hunter was an eighth grader who attended school in Auburn. Both boys were part of the North Mac school district. Kyle was known in the community as a cook at Jo’s Place, a local restaurant in Virden.

Multiple fire departments from surrounding areas including Chatham, Auburn, and Girard, responded to the scene in an attempt to control the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with the State Fire Marshal now leading the inquiry.

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Record turnout at Partnership for Educational Excellence trivia night, Grand raffle kicked off

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FRONT ROW: Bill Hayes; Lindsay Irwin; Marena Hayes; Diana Hayes; Scott Haenel. 
BACK ROW: Nolan Hayes, Blake Hayes; Matt Irwin; Ashlen Hayes; Heather Hayes.

The Partnership for Educational Excellence raised nearly $4,500 at its “For the Love of Education” Trivia Night on Saturday, February 15 at the Gillespie Civic Center.  The evening’s highlights included a record turnout of 25 tables, great participation in the latest Grand Raffle kickoff, and generous donations from winning teams and absentee “Out to Recess” businesses.

The evening is the Partnership’s one and only fund raiser to support programs for CUSD7 students: district-wide classroom grants and academic tuition scholarships for GHS grads. The current school year marks a three year $90,000 gift to CUSD7 for student computers.  And an all-time record was set last year when 38% of the GHS Class of 2024 won college scholarships.

The winning Hayes family team scored a 94% “grade” and donated back their $150 prize.  The third-place team of Semplowski family and friends, dedicated their $50 prize to the ongoing Travis Semplowski scholarship.  Almost all team scores were in the 90% and 80% range.

“Early Bird” drawing of raffle tickets sold that night gave $100 each to Steve Joyce and to Tracy Wilhoit. Their Grand Raffle tickets also make them eligible for the final $5,000 prize to be drawn on Saturday, April 12, 2025. If not all tickets are sold, the prize will be a 50/50 split.  Tickets are available from any Partnership director. Volunteer Cindy Brummett assisted with ticket sales. Ten attendees won gift cards purchased by The Partnership from local merchants. 

In addition to 25 tables of players, several long-time business and professional sponsors bought “absentee” tables through The Partnership’s “Out to Recess” program:  Gene Hebenstreit of Victory Lane Ford in Litchfield; Nick Kravanya DDS of Kravanya and Boente dental offices in Carlinville and Litchfield; Wally Ottersburg of Daley Bruckert Chevrolet in Staunton; Boente Shell Station in Gillespie; Kasten-Goodman Insurance Agency in Carlinville; and Rick Verticchio Law Offices in Carlinville and Gillespie.

The Partnership wishes to thank its all-volunteer board of directors.  On hand that night were Vice President Donna Prevedell, Treasurer Rose Tebbe, Secretary Rosie Emmenderfer, Founder Nancy Grandone, Susan Stromsland, and Mary Kay Griffel.  Other directors who contributed to the evening’s success but were unable to attend Ken Tebbe, Carole Scheller, Ann Marie Bauer Ross, Julie Zirkelbach, Katie Ronald, and President John Fassero.

Special kudos go to the third and fourth generation Partnership volunteers who did stellar work as runners, carrying answer sheets from players to graders Norah Seraphin (9th grade), Augie Seraphin (7th grade), Eve Seraphin (4th grade) – all grandchildren of Donna and Bob Prevedell; and Mackenzie Jo McFarland (4th grade), great granddaughter of Rose and Ralph Tebbe.

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Miners girls basketball clinch SCC championship

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In a nail-biting showdown that will be remembered for years to come, the Gillespie Miners girls basketball team captured the South Central Conference title with a hard-fought 55-52 victory over the Pana Panthers on Thursday night, February 13. This marks Gillespie’s first conference championship since their back-to-back titles in 2001-02, when they shared the honors with Southwestern both finishing with a 9-1 conference record.

The game held at Pana High School was anything but straightforward. After a tumultuous 13-minute delay due to injuries and a technical foul controversy, the Miners rallied their spirits to secure the win. Amari Vickery led the charge with a stellar performance, scoring 21 points, while Mia Brawner added 11, Maggie Heyen contributed 10, Delaney Taylor posted 5, Sadie Sholtis scored 4, and Lainey Edwards and Corrine Fellin each had 2 points.

From the opening tip, it was clear that Pana was not going to roll over easily. The Panthers held leads at the end of the first two quarters, 15-14 and 28-26, showcasing their tenacity. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Pana had edged ahead 44-42, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

However, the game took a chaotic turn in the fourth quarter when a collision between Vickery and teammate Sloane Brawner resulted in both players going down with injuries. Sloane was not able to return the game but Vickery did. The Miners also lost both Delaney Taylor and Sadie Sholtis to fouls and Gillespie was assessed a technical foul under controversial circumstances which tied the game at 49. But Heyen carried the weight through the fourth quarter recording 6 of her 10 points in the final quarter of play.

Despite the setbacks, the Miners displayed remarkable teamwork resilience under the leadership of Nikki and Matt Brawner. With the SCC championship secured and the regular season concluded with a 22-8 overall record and 9-0 conference record, the Miners now shift their focus to the upcoming regional which is being hosted in Gillespie.

Gillespie hosts Alton Marquette on Monday, Feb. 17 for the regional semi-finals after Alton Marquette knocked East-Alton Wood River, 36-29, to face the Miners. The winner advances to the regional championship that will be played on Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in Gillespie versus the winner of Staunton/Roxana.

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