Community News
School Board authorizes $288,000 program to provide computer access to all district students
Meeting via the Zoom video-conferencing system amid continuing COVID-19 pandemic precautions, members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night authorized an ambitious $288,000 initiative to provide laptop computers for each district student by the time the 2020-21 school year opens.
In other action, the board voted unanimously to hire Gillespie resident Tara Copper as Gillespie Middle School principal, effective June 15. The action fills the last of the administrative vacancies precipitated by the unexpected retirement of Supt. Joe Tieman.
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted to start acquiring computers for the coming school year for all students in the fourth through 12th grades.
The measure to accelerate the district’s 1:1 initiative to provide computers for students is prompted in part by this spring’s COVID-19 emergency, which forced the district to provide remote learning resources for district students. The initiative previously outlined plans to provide computers for one class level each year until reaching the goal of providing computers for all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. For the 2019-2020 school year, the district provided computers for fourth and fifth-grade students at BenGil Elementary School, and plans were in place to provide computers for sixth-grade students in the coming year.
“With COVID-19, in my opinion, it became apparent” that the district needed to consider providing computer access for all students before the start of the 2020-21 school year, according to Tieman. Given the conventional wisdom that COVID-19 may continue to be an issue through the summer, Tieman said the district may be required to offer remote learning at least at the start of the coming school year.
Facing that potential scenario, Tieman said the “administrative team has been looking at ways to put a computer in every students’ hands from K through 12.” Tieman acknowledged the price tag for the program may seem daunting, “but I don’t think we ‘can’t’ afford to do this,” adding that with or without the pandemic the future of education is going to increasingly rely upon providing computer access for students.
“It may be this is the only positive to come out of this pandemic,” Tieman said. “It’s forcing our hand. This is where the district must go. We have to be creative and think outside the box to fund it. This is their (students’) world.”
High School Principal Shane Owsley, poised to step into the superintendent’s office next month, said he has been working closely with Technology Coordinator Mark Carpani to create a plan for providing computers for all students district-wide. He said Carpani put together a plan to acquire 600 computers at a total cost of $288,000. Leased over a period of four years, the district would pay $6,800 per month for the machines. In addition, Carpani recommended buying insurance for the machines at a cost of $145 per machine for the term of the lease—a total of $87,000.
Carpani said the computers will be configured to reduce the potential for students using them to access online materials not associated with classwork. At the end of the four-year lease, the computers will become the property of the district and may be offered to the students who have them in their possession at the time the lease term concludes.
Owsley said he has been in contact with neighboring districts to learn if they are charging student fees to help recoup some of the cost of the program. Staunton School District, he said, does not charge fees except in the event a student damages a computer requiring it to be repaired. Carlinville School District does charge a fee but Owsley said he has not been informed of the fee structure.
Earlier in the meeting, the board approved a schedule of student fees for the coming school year, which includes a $75 textbook rental fee. The new computers could be pre-loaded with class materials or be capable of receiving materials online—eliminating the need for textbooks. In that event, Jenni Alepra asked, would the Student Handbook and fee schedule need to be amended.
Tieman said the handbook is secondary to school policy. If the board eliminated book rental fees or chooses to assess a rental fee for computers, that contingency could be addressed with a handbook insert provided to students after the start of the school year. At the same time, he cautioned against assessing fees for computers on students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. State law requires school districts to waive all fees that are “waivable” for free and reduced-price lunch students.
“I suspect that may be the reason Staunton isn’t charging a fee,” Tieman speculated.
Carter noted that nearly 70 percent of the district’s student body is identified as coming from low-income families qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches.
Owsley said he and Carpani are still in discussions regarding ways to better manage the cost of the program. For example, he said, the school district will be eligible for CARES Act funding to mitigate against expenses and income losses associated with the pandemic. While yet to be determined, that money may be limited to Title I schools. At the moment, Ben-Gil Elementary is the only Title I school in the district.
Under those circumstances, Owsley said the district may be able to reduce costs by transferring computers purchased last year for fourth and fifth grades to Gillespie Middle School and using CARES money to replace computers at the elementary level. Such a maneuver, he said, would reduce the total number of computers the district would need to buy.
With the board’s action Monday night, Owsley and Carpani said they would start ordering computers on Tuesday. However, Carpani pointed out, there could be delays in actually receiving the machines because other districts facing the same circumstances are likely to be rushing to acquire computers as well. “We’re not the only district scrambling to get computers,” Carpani said.
Among the issues discussed but not resolved Monday night is how the district will address the disparity between students whose families have reliable internet access and those who do not.
MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Following an hour-long executive session to discuss personnel issues, the board voted unanimously to hire Tara Cooper as Gillespie Middle School principal, effective June 15. Cooper will replace current GMS Principal Jill Rosentreter, who will be elevated to Gillespie High School Principal in June.
Rosentreter was hired last month to replace Owsley, who will assume duties as district superintendent as Tieman’s retirement becomes effective.
A resident of Gillespie, Cooper currently is employed as an assistant principal at the North Mac Middle School in Girard/Virden. After earning a bachelor’s degree in education from Blackburn College in Carlinville, Cooper began her teaching career by teaching middle school social studies and English/language arts in Community Unit School District 7. She earned her master’s degree in Education Administration from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
The board also voted unanimously to hire Jacob West as a first-year, non-tenured physical education teacher for the 2020-21 school year.
The board also voted to post two vacancies for two elementary teaching positions.
In separate actions, the board agreed to post vacant positions for summer school teaching positions in high school mathematics, English, consumer education and driver education. Regarding the mathematics position, specifically, Tieman noted that if the class doesn’t attract sufficient enrollment, the board could opt to simply not fill the position.
VOCATIONAL BUILDING PROJECT
Participating remotely, David Leggans, an architect with Graham & Hyde Architects, Springfield, briefly discussed the status of a proposed project to replace the roof on the existing high school vocational education facility and possibly expanding the size of the building.
Tieman told the board that Leggans is the lead architect on the project and is expected to present bids for the board to act on at its June meeting. Tieman also said that Leggans had advised him that Tieman’s original speculation that the project could be completed before the start of the school year was overly optimistic.
Leggans told the board that contractors could replace the old roof on the existing building during the summer. But if the board opts to expand the size of the building, the work will extend into the early fall after the school year starts.
Metal building suppliers, he said, require a 12-week lead time to supply buildings, he said. “With or without a pandemic, that’s just the way things are,” he said.
Leggans said he will present three bids for the board to consider: 1.) replacing the roof on the existing building; 2.) replacing the roof and adding a 30-foot addition; and 3) replacing the roof and adding a 48-foot addition. He said under state rules, 48 feet would be the maximum size the board could consider. A larger addition, he said, would trigger a mandate for the district to add a storm shelter to the project.
In the event the board chooses to add 48 feet, the bid will include pricing for removing the existing greenhouse and replacing it with a new greenhouse in an alternate location.
If the board opts to expand the size of the building, Leggans said contractors would have the old roof replaced and would have concrete work done and waiting for the metal building before the start of the school year. “Those buildings go up pretty fast once they arrive,” he said. The 30-foot addition could be accomplished, he said, with no disruption to instruction. There would be some minor disruption with the 48-foot expansion, he said, primarily because of the need to remove and replace the greenhouse.
It’s anticipated that interior finish work will be done by school personnel and vocational education students.
Tieman said the district can pay for the project with a $400,000 vocational education state grant awarded to the district, coupled with a $50,000 Life Safety matching grant. The Life Safety grant would be matched with $50,000 in school district funds.
“Essentially for $50,000, we’re getting another $450,000,” Tieman said.
The scope of the final project will be determined by the size of the bids the district receives. Leggans declined to speculate on how favorable bids might be, but said some contractors may be “hungry” for a project and submit bids that would enable the district to add the larger addition to the building.
Carter asked about the loss of parking spaces during the district’s high school football season. Leggans said the project is unlikely to have a significant impact on parking. “You might lose 15 or 20 spaces,” he said.
In other action, in addition to approving student fees, the board voted to approve a Student Handbook for the coming school year. That handbook will include a provision changing the name of Lady Miners athletic teams to simply “Miners.”
“There was some concern that it was sexist,” Owsley told the board. “We’re all Miners.”
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Under administrative reports, all three building principals reported that the last student work for the school year was dropped off Monday at their respective buildings, and was sorted for grading. Final report cards should be available by the first week in June.
Rosentreter reported that paraprofessional/teacher aide Nicole Katich was selected for an Illinois Golden Apple Award, receiving a $30,000 grant to pursue a teaching certificate through Blackburn College. Katich will be assigned to Gillespie Middle School where she currently works as a paraprofessional.
Both Owsley and Rosentreter reported on the development of online virtual award ceremonies they have either prepared or are preparing for viewing. Owsley reported on a graduation ceremony held at the Gillespie High School gymnasium on Sunday while observing social distancing protocols. He said Macoupin County Public Health Department officials were on-site to ensure the program was conducted safely, along with representatives of the Gillespie Fire Department and Police Department. An online virtual graduation ceremony also will be offered.
Schmidt and Board President Mark Hayes praised the administrators’ efforts to provide recognition for student award winners and graduates under trying circumstances.
“I think you did a great job,” Schmidt said. “If you walked into the gym, it was set up and looked just like it would for any other graduation ceremony.”
“This is a small community,” Hayes noted, “but when times get hard, we come together.”
Hayes said he is hopeful COVID-19 restrictions will be relaxed enough by the time of the board’s June meeting that the board itself can meet face-to-face—possibly in the school cafeteria or library to allow for social distancing—while allowing access to the public via remote access.
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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.
