Community News
School board finalizes property tax levy, Commits more CEJA dollars to Plum Street project
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education voted Monday night to commit the next round of Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant money to completion of the Plum Street renovation project, with the understanding the school district will not participate financially in future city street improvements and provided the City of Gillespie regrades a drainage ditch on LJ Avenue between the High School and football field, and corrects a drainage ditch between the football field and baseball field.
In other action, the board finalized the 2025 property tax levy for taxes to be collected in 2026, and welcomed two student representatives to the board.
The action followed a lengthy discussion about the role the school district should be expected to play in bringing Plum Street up to a level of repair to support school bus traffic.
The board previously committed about $89,000 in CEJA grant money to the project. With Monday night’s vote, the school district is committing about an additional $70,000 to completing the Plum Street project.
Plum Street has been a focus for the school district and city government since the district synchronized class start and end times at all three attendance centers. That change necessitated rerouting 10 buses onto to Plum Street in the morning and afternoon. City officials said the additional weight and traffic soon caused Plum Street to quickly deteriorate. The current project includes milling, repaving, drainage improvement and reinforcement of the road base to handle bus traffic.
The original engineers for the project were fired after it was discovered that the company allegedly had not filed proper paperwork with the Illinois Department of Transportation to secure approval to proceed with construction. The deficiency pushed construction to next spring at the earliest. Earlier this month, the new engineers came in with a new, more complete quote for the project that came in at $350,000—upward of $150,000 more than the city had anticipated.
Supt. Shane Owsley told the board he had spoken with Mayor Landon Pettit who suggested the new estimate could be more than the city could afford even with the $89,000 in CEJA money the school district had already committed.
“My No. 1 concern is the safety of students, as I’m sure it is with you,” Owsley said. He recommended committing the next round of CEJA grant money—about $70,000— to the project to ensure its completion before the 2026-27 school year with the provision the school could use the street for bus traffic “in perpetuity.”
Owsley said city officials told him the city cannot complete the project without the participation of the school district or cutting significantly into funds destined for maintaining other streets in the city.
Board members Bill Carter and Dennis Tiburzi both expressed reservations about putting more money into the project, suggesting the school district should not be in the “business of building streets.”
“I don’t want to be here next month being asked for more money,” Tiburzi commented. “We’re the largest employer in the area and I’m sorry, but they (the city) need to take care of the roads. We all pay road taxes.”
“What happens if they (the city) run out of money?” Carter asked. “Or the street falls apart five years from now? This one rubs me a little wrong. I worry about what happens down the road.”
Board President Mark Hayes said the city is willing to commit equipment and manpower to clean ditches along LJ Avenue and between the football field and baseball field. Board member Weye Schmidt agreed that the city should take responsibility for drainage improvements to eliminate “the swamp” that backs up behind the school’s Vocational Building.
The motion to commit anticipated CEJA grant funding to the Plum Street project provided the school’s attorney drafts an intergovernmental agreement signed by both parties committing the city to finishing the project, correcting drainage issues on LJ Avenue and between the football and baseball fields, granting the school a right to use Plum Street for buses in perpetuity, and acknowledging the school will not participate financially in future street improvements.
“For the safety of our children, I think this is the best option,” Hayes noted.
TAX LEVY
The board voted unanimously to approve a proposed property tax levy request following a brief public hearing required by law because the request exceeds last year’s tax extension by more than 105 percent.
Though legally mandated, there were no members of the public and no questions or comments about the levy during the three-minute hearing.
Owsley, who presented a formal analysis of the levy proposal during the November board meeting, again pointed out that the $3,920,295 levy request for 2025 property taxes collectible in 2026 exceeds what the district actually expects to receive in property tax revenue. Because of tax caps and other factors, however, the district expects to collect only an estimated $3,786,607 of the requested amount.
“We ask for more because we don’t know what our equalized assessed valuation will be,” Owsley noted. In calculating the levy, Owsley estimated an increase of 15 percent in the EAV even though the average increase over the past ten years has been about 8.8 percent.
“The reason I increased the EAV as much as I did is because we have a number of solar fields coming online and if we don’t claim those increases now, we lose it forever, because we are subject to tax caps,” he said. The Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), approved by Macoupin voters in 1995, limits the increase in the property taxes to no more than five percent or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. The current CPI is 2.9 percent, meaning the district can legally collect 102.9 percent of the previous year’s extension, plus any increases in the EAV and new construction.
“I think it’s important to point out that we have the second lowest tax rate in the county,” Bernot noted, adding that the tax rate has fallen by about $1 in the past 10 years.
DISTRICT FOCUS
The board was introduced to Maddie Durston, a sophomore who will join Student Council President Emily Bergen, as student representatives on the Board of Education beginning in January. Durston is next in line to become Student Council President. Bergen was unable to attend Monday’s meeting due to a prior commitment.
Supt. Owsley told the board that during a recent educators conference in Chicago “one of the things we kept running into was student voices.”
“Obviously we hear from administrators and we hear from teachers,” Owsley noted. “Who we don’t hear from are the students themselves.” Current board policy permits the annual appointment of the Student Council President to serve as a student representative on the board. Student representatives can participate in board discussions but cannot cast a vote. They also are prohibited from joining executive sessions.
“When we want to see what students views are on any particular subject, we’ll have a student right here to tell us,” Owsley said.
High School Principal Jill Rosentreter had high praise for both Bergen and Durston.
“I’m super excited to recommend Emily and Maddie,” she said. “They’re going to represent the student body very well. They’re both very well spoken. They’re both very excited to share ideas and take part in discussions.”
“I’ve been to some board meetings, and I enjoyed sitting over there and hearing things,” Durston noted. “To be on this side of the table and be a part of things is really exciting.”
PERSONNEL
Following an executive session of 35 minutes, the board voted in separate actions, to accept the resignation of Terrie Rhodes as a special education bus aide and to hire Rhodes as a full-route bus driver.
Additionally, the board voted to hire Paige Stoddard as a three-hour cafeteria worker, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check.
On a motion by Carter, seconded by Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Dan Smith as a volunteer assistant high school baseball coach.
FUND TRANSFERS/TAX ABATEMENT
In somewhat related actions, the board approved a resolution transferring $75,000 from the School Facilities Sales Tax fund to the Bond and Interest Fund to service indebtedness for previous capital improvements. The resolution also abates an equal amount in property taxes in keeping with a pledge the board made to voters before the current one percent School Facilities Sale Tax measure was passed by Macoupin voters.
The board also approved a resolution abating taxes previously levied to service a $1.6 million General Obligation Bond Issue approved in two years ago to finance capital improvement projects over the following three years. Those bonds are being serviced with revenue from the School Facilities Sale Tax fund in lieu of property tax revenue, enabling the district to abate the tax.
Both resolutions are routine items approved by the board on an annual basis.
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARDS MITIGATION PLAN
By a unanimous vote, the board approved a resolution to participate in the 2025 Macoupin County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan. The plan has be written for the past two years, but Community Unit School District 7 was not included in the document.
Being included in the plan means the district could be eligible for grant funding for initiatives such as generators, grounding for electrical storms, drainage improvements, retention ponds, safety education and other items designed to mitigate against potential hazards.
“There’s no guarantee this money will ever become available,” Owsley said. “But if we don’t approve this, we won’t be able to apply for funds.”
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Hayes and Owsley briefly reviewed discussions that took place recently during a meeting of the Building and Grounds Committee with Building Manager Brian Page. Owsley said Page presented an extensive list of improvements that have been completed, including adding a press box at the baseball field, completing a new weight room with HVAC improvements, an updated fire alarm system, a new intercom system, completion of a sidewalk between BenGil Elementary School and the high school.
“We’ve actually done a lot,” Owsley said, “a lot of improvements.” With revenue still available from the district’s Alternate Revenue bond issue, the district plans to resurface the track around the football field this summer.
While a number of improvements have been completed, Owsley said the school wants to be “proactive” in selecting the projects it takes on in the near future. As an example, Owsley pointed out the insurance policy accepted by the board depreciates roofs on the basis of a 20-year lifespan.
“If that’s the case, we probably don’t want any roofs that are more than 20 years old,” he said.
Owsley said he met with the school architect to discuss probable upcoming projects and discuss how the district can pay for them. The entire middle school roof is approaching the 20-year limit and will need to be replaced. A portion of the barreled roof over the high school gym will need to be replaced, and the high school HVAC system is approaching its 20-year life expectancy.
Page reportedly prepared a spreadsheet of possible projects, the age of the current installations and the expected life expectancy. The document is meant to help the district target the most urgent projects and prioritize them.
“The second question is how do we pay them?” Owsley commented.
“We’re at a point with some of our bonds that we may need to extend them out or refinance them,” Hayes said. School officials plan to ask Kevin Wills of Bernardi Securities, O’Fallon, to attend an upcoming meeting to explain how the board can issue Life Safety bonds without significantly impacting local taxes.
“We want to find a way to get this work done without dropping a lot of extra tax on our residents,” Owsley said. Payments to retire existing bonds are set to increase from $900,000 a year to $1.2 million. By extending the term of existing bonds by a few years could keep interest payments down and provide enough breathing room to issue Life Safety bonds for upcoming work.
Owsley said the district wants to “complete these projects rather than wait for something to happen” and have to find a way immediately to finance the work.
OTHER ACTION
In accordance with the state’s Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act, the board agreed to destroy audio recordings of close sessions older than 18 months, and voted unanimously to keep recent executive session minutes sealed.
Comments
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2026
Edwin L. Rhodes, 68 of Gillespie, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for dangerous drugs/methamphetamine delivery.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Elm Street and Fulton Street. Sebastian S. Nessl, 31 of Gillespie, was issued citations for suspended registration due to no insurance, operating an uninsured vehicle, and expired registration.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Hard Road in Benld. Ricky L. Murphy of Fillmore, was issued a citation for failure to change address and suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Cottage Avenue in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Francis Street in reference to a child custody issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Adam M. Wagner, 33 of Benld, was issued citations for suspended registration and expired registration.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Hard Road in Benld. April R. McNealy, 39 of Mt. Olive, was issued citations for disobeying a stop sign and expired registration.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a battery. Eric M. Streeb, 37 of Staunton, was arrested for aggravated battery.
Timothy J. Dalpozzo, 58 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear on larceny.
An officer was out in the 200 block of East Locust Street in Benld in reference to a security check.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a 911 call.
Kourtney K. Claro, 34 of Benld, was arrested on a Madison County Warrant for failure to appear on unlawful possession.
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to identity theft.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to Clay Street and Park Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of West Burton Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Walnut Street in reference to an alarm sounding.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North Main Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a stolen vehicle from the 200 block of North Kentucky in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Elm Street in East Gillespie. Hannah E. Naugle, 25 of Gillespie, was given a citation for expired registration.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Elm Street and Macoupin Street. Ruthie J. Kahl, 35 of Carlinville, was issued a citation for expired registration.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Illinois Avenue and Springfield Road in East Gillespie. Christopher T. Brickey, 30 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for driving while his license was suspended.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Illinois Avenue. Jess P. Barker, 69 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of South Hard Road in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal trespass to property in the 400 block of Broadway Street.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 300 block of Park Avenue.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Francis Street in reference to a 911 call.
Anita S. Grizzle, 49 of Gillespie, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for possession of a controlled substance, dangerous drugs, and a Madison County warrant for failure to appear on dangerous drugs.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer recovered a vehicle that was reported stolen from the 200 block of North Kentucky Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Francis Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Oak Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud in the 200 block of North Kentucky Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North 6th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Staunton Road and Hard Road in Mt. Clare. Chandler M. Hayes, 26 of Thayer, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 5th Street in Benld. Amanda L. Martinek, 35 of Mt. Olive, was issued a citation for operating uninsured vehicle.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2026
Cody R. Ikerman, 35 of Gillespie, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for driving while license was suspended.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to harassment in the 600 block of Broadway Street.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 200 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Dorsey Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Oak Street in reference to criminal trespass.
The School Recourse Officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Horizon Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld to assist DCFS.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at South Street and Macoupin Street. Claudette N. Cruse, 48 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for improper use of registration.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North 2nd Street, 400 block of West Oak Street, and the 200 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to criminal defacement of property. The juvenile suspects were located.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Walnut Street in Benld in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Oak Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to Schmidt Street in East Gillespie in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to suspicious activity.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Comments
Stacy L. Marshall, 59 of Wilsonville, is charged with stalking/cause fear of safety and driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a January 23 incident.
Jarod A. Fagan, 41 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated use of a communications device/death, two counts of aggravated DUI/crash/death, driving under the influence of alcohol, registration expiration, improper traffic lane usage, transporting/carrying alcohol, and seat belt required in connection with a December 9 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Frederic J. Skinner, 22 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal damage to property (<$500) in connection with a December 30 incident.
Noel J. Kennon, 47 of Benld, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a January 12 incident.
TRAFFIC
Jessica D. Jackson, 37 of Girard, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a January 27 incident.
Mason C. Marquette, 18 of Virden, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit and transporting/carrying alcohol in connection with a January 21 incident.
Joshua D. Strode, 48 of Chatham, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a January 18 incident.
Rhiannon P. Ewin, 26 of Carlinville, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a January 28 incident.
Denae L. Clements, 32 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration and expired registration in connection with a January 27 incident.
Anna M. Bearup, 44 of Auburn, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a January 27 incident.
Amanda M. McDowell, 43 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and expired registration in connection with a January 27 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Ellie J. Ondrey versus Zachary C. Ondrey
- Lillyan Hawkins versus Drew M. Hawkins
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- John Louis Osborne and Melissa Jeannine Harbaugh, both of Hettick
Comments
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Pine Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer spoke with the female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a child custody issue.
An officer was dispatched to Staunton Road and Southern Street in reference to a motorist assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Oak Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Park Avenue in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Central in Benld by the Illinois Department of Transportation in reference to a vehicle that had been parked on their snow route, and they needed to be moved. Amy J. Arnold, 34 of Benld, was issued a citation for illegal parking.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 5th Street in Benld. Dakota N. Lytle, 27 of Staunton, was issued a citation for operating an uninsured vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a security check.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Park Street and Illinois Street in Benld. Alexander C. Richardson, 29 of Benld, was issued a citation for expired registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Dorsey Road in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was out in the 100 block of West Pine with a subject riding an ATV on the roadway.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Elm Street, Chelsa R. Pruden, 36 of Staunton, was issued a citation for operating an uninsured vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Maple Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Hickory Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Walnut Street. Denae L. Clements, 32 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for suspended registration for no insurance and expired registration.
The school resource officer assisted the Department of Children and Family Services in reference to a juvenile issue at Ben-Gil Elementary School.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Illinois Street in East Gillespie. Christian M. Garrison, 25 of Girard, was issued a citation for failure to change address.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal trespass in the 300 block of North Kentucky Street in Benld.
The school resource officer was dispatched for a student who fled from school. The child was located and returned to her residence.
An officer was dispatched to Mt. Clare Drive in Mt. Clare in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was out with a vehicle in the ditch in the 300 block of Kelly Street, assisting until a tow truck could arrive.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a 911 call.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
The school resource officer was dispatched to Gillespie High School in reference to a fight between two juveniles.
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie High School in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a fight.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Staunton Road and Division Street in Mt. Clare. Donald E. Ruyle, 52 of Benld, was arrested for driving while license was suspended.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was out at Francis Street and South Street in reference to a motorist assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to an animal complaint.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2026
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue on West Oak Street in Benld.
An officer was out in the 200 block of Locust Street in Benld in reference to a security check.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North 6th Street in Benld in reference to theft. Tabitha M. Pratt, 39 of Benld, was arrested for theft, possession of another credit/debit card, and possession of a lost or mislaid credit/debit card.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Walnut Street in Benld in reference to a burglary.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Green Street in reference to criminal damage.
An officer was dispatched to North 8th Street in Benld in reference to a motorist assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Park Avenue in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in Benld.
The school resource officer took a report of an assault on a juvenile and reported it to the Department of Children and Family Services.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at 3rd Street and Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare. Gregory A. Boaz, 32 of Mt. Clare, was issued citations for expired registration and operating an uninsured vehicle.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Elm Street in East Gillespie. Isabelle G. Manning, 21 of Edwardsville, was issued citations for expired registration and operating an uninsured vehicle.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Ave. Jynnafer E. Marin, 44 of Coffeen, was issued a citation for driving on a suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and Macoupin Street. Kerri D. Felchlin, 43 of Edwardsville, was issued citations for expired registration and operating an uninsured vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Easton Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Street in reference to a civil standby.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
