Community News
School board hears recommendations for school improvement
Michelle Smith, speaking as President of the local teachers union, addressed the school board on behalf of the teachers about concerns and remedial strategies the union have following the lackluster report card data.
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education listened for nearly three hours as teaching staff outlined issues affecting standardized test scores and recommendations for improving student academic performance during a special meeting of the board on Wednesday night.
Supt. Joe Tieman said the session was “a fantastic meeting.”
“We will take the suggestions that were brought up and address them as best we can within our budget constraints,” he said.
REPORT CARD RESULTS SPARK DISCUSSION
In November, members of the board and administrators held a lengthy discussion about the district’s state “report card,” which showed only 29 percent of the district’s students met or exceeded academic standards based on results of the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) testing for elementary grades through eighth grade and ACT scores for high school students. The report card, prepared annually by the Illinois State Board of Education for all school districts in the state, indicated that academic performance for Community Unit School District 7 lagged behind statewide averages by five percentage points overall.
[pullquote]Board President Mark Hayes called the numbers “alarming,”[/pullquote]
At the time, Board President Mark Hayes called the numbers “alarming,” adding that Community Unit School District 7 was at the bottom of the list academically among schools in Macoupin County.
The same report card revealed that the district’s graduation rate was 72 percent, compared with a statewide average of 86 percent. CUSD 7 spent $5,218 per student for instructional costs, compared with a statewide instructional spending averaging $7,712. Operational spending per student also was below average at $10,916, but Tieman told the board in November that the district’s operational expenditures are among the highest in Macoupin County on a per student basis.
UNION PRESIDENT ADDRESSES BOARD
In December, High School teacher Michelle Smith, speaking as President of the local teachers union, asked for an opportunity for teachers to address the board about concerns and remedial strategies to address the lackluster report card data. A month later, following up on a closed-door special meeting, the board voted to advertise for candidates for the high school principal’s position. Though Lori Emmons, who has served as principal since 2013, is expected to be reassigned, she continues to serve as principal for the time being. The board has given no public explanation for the expected reassignment, though the action closely followed the release of the state report card data. Emmons was not among the more than 40 staff members attending Wednesday night’s special meeting with the board.
[pullquote]Smith said uncertainty about future leadership at the high school level is at least one of the concerns[/pullquote]
Speaking on behalf of the teaching staff, Smith said uncertainty about future leadership at the high school level is at least one of the concerns teachers expressed during meetings to develop a list of strategies and concerns to present to the board.
“We’re glad to see the school board is asking questions,” Smith said, reading from a prepared opening statement. “We want to continue the dialogue among all three entities (teaching staff, administration and school board). For the long run, that is what will result in improvement.”
Continuing her opening statement, Smith expressed frustration on the part of teaching staff when it comes to setting academic goals and developing strategies to reach them.
“We’re more reactive, rather than proactive,” she said, adding that if the board and administration had been following long-term data from the district, they would not have been “alarmed” by the results of the school report card in November. “We see a direct correlation between student work and test scores.”
Later in the meeting, Tieman suggested the gold standard for student academic performance should be the Illinois Learning Standards, which do not necessarily coincide with the content of assessment testing.
“I don’t want you to teach to the test, I want you to teach to Illinois Learning Standards,” Tieman said. “If that’s your guiding light, then I can live with the test scores. My charge to you is to not teach to the test but to prepare students for the test. Tests can change. The Learning Standards endure.”
TEACHERS EXPRESS CONCERN
According to Smith, teachers obviously are concerned about shortages in staffing resulting from budget shortfalls. The reductions in staff resulting from the district not filling vacancies have cut into planning time and the time teachers have to meet and strategize during the school day. She said some teachers have been reticent about responding to questions from the board and administration because of a perceived threat of intimidation. Moreover, she said teachers feel they have gotten mixed messages from the board and administration regarding the goals they are expected to achieve. “We feel we get pulled in multiple directions,” she said.
[pullquote]We feel we get pulled in multiple directions[/pullquote]
Smith described concerns on the part of teachers about the practice of “social promotion” in lower grades, the practice of moving students on to the next grade level even though they may not have the requisite skill levels. The practice, she said, is “exponentially” problematic as students fall further behind as they are promoted to upper-grade levels. Elementary Principal Angela Turcol defended the practice, reporting that retention involves a complicated process that results in only a handful of students being retained to repeat a grade at the elementary level. Over four years, she said, there were 52 applications from teachers to retain students. Of those, only 31 were approved and of those, only 28 students were held back after consulting with the students’ parents. Deficiencies among students who are “socially promoted,” Turcol said, generally can be addressed in the next grade level.
“Retention does go on, but it’s not widespread,” she said. “The research shows that it’s ineffective. Their likelihood of getting through graduation doesn’t increase. Once you get into the upper elementary grades, it’s hard to justify because it does not work.”
Still reading from her prepared statement, Smith said teachers are frustrated about outdated technology, limited student access to computers and issues with internet connectivity. She said some teachers lose as much as 15 minutes of class time waiting for programs to load because of limited bandwidth or WiFi issues. Limited experience with computers, in fact, was identified as one reason students scored lower than average on PARCC and SAT tests last year. This year, students will go back to using pencils and paper for the critical assessment testing.
At the high school level, Smith said, there is a “fear of the unknown” stemming from expected leadership changes. Moreover, she said social issues such as increased drug use and dysfunctional family lives have had a great impact on student attendance and performance.
Additionally, Smith said teachers do not always have timely access to student performance data from the state in order to adjust teaching strategies to address apparent weaknesses.
“It’s hard to shift strategy when you don’t have data on time,” she said.
Finally, she said, teachers are anxious to collaborate with the school board and administrators to set clear goals.
“We would like to continue to analyze data and get on the same page with you,” she said.
[pullquote]Board members were provided with detailed summary sheets from each of the attendance centers regarding teacher concerns and recommendations for school improvement.[/pullquote]
Board members were provided with detailed summary sheets from each of the attendance centers regarding teacher concerns and recommendations for school improvement.
During the discussion with board members, Smith addressed whether teachers are expected to teach skills or “teach to the test”—teaching specifically tailored to help students do well on assessment tests.
“If we go for increasing test scores we may see a decrease in the graduation rate,” she said, because research confirms, “those things go together.”
Several board members said they want teachers to teach skills, but also provide students with test-taking strategies to help them translate that knowledge into positive test scores.
“We can teach tricks of the trade” for taking tests, Smith said. For example, if the test calls for students to answer 40 questions in 39 minutes, teachers can teach students how to answer questions quickly and ultimately score higher on the test. Motivating students to do well on assessment tests also is an issue, she said.
“They have no stake in it,” she said. “It’s hard for them to see the value in it.”
BOARD MEMBERS WEIGH IN
Board member Weye Schmidt said he was shocked to learn that more than 20 percent of incoming freshmen are unprepared for high school. In the past year, a dozen freshmen were held back for one grade because they didn’t have enough academic credits to become sophomores.
“If 23 percent of freshmen students aren’t ready, it shouldn’t be a surprise if 23 percent do poorly on the test,” Smith noted.
[pullquote]We’re here to talk about what can be done with what we have. We have to think outside the box.[/pullquote]
While district students scored relatively well in the area of reading and language, Construction trades teacher Mark Goldasich said there are a substantial number of students who have limited reading skills.
“The SAT test is written at a 13th-grade level,” he said. “If you have a student who reads at a fourth-grade level, there’s no way he can pass that test.”
Teachers from all three attendance centers expressed frustration about staffing cuts, but Board President Mark Hayes said the district does not have the budget to hire more teachers at this time.
“If we want to have better test scores, we have to have the staff to make that happen,” said Smith. “Staffing is a major concern. We’re doing more with less staff. If you compare our test scores with the best school in the county you have to consider that school has a higher staffing level.” Lack of staffing, she said, makes it difficult for teachers to intervene with individual students who are struggling in particular subject areas. It also makes it virtually impossible to carve out room for remedial classes to help students having problems in basic areas such as reading or math.
“We don’t have the money to hire more staff,” Hayes said. “We’re here to talk about what can be done with what we have. We have to think outside the box.”
“Part of the purpose of this meeting was to identify obstacles,” Schmidt offered. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with identifying obstacles (in order to determine ways of dealing with them). We have to have the roadmap in place or we’re not going to get where we want.”
“We are in this together,” Board member Jenni Alepra said. “I hear you about financial constraints. It’s frustrating. We need to throw that out and we need to work harder. We aren’t going to get the things we want because of finances. We have to make lemonade out of lemons.”
[pullquote]We are committed to giving you everything we possibly can[/pullquote]
Until Wednesday night, Smith said, teachers have gotten “mixed messages” about what the board and the administration expect of them.
“Teach to the test is what we’ve heard, even though the board says that’s never been the case,” she said. “Give us a goal and we’ll go for it. All the data will show that the single most important factor in student success is the classroom teacher. We are committed to giving you everything we possibly can.”
SUPERINTENDENT REINFORCES ENCOURAGEMENT
Tieman told the teachers that he and the board will take their concerns and suggestions seriously.
[pullquote]I will never back off challenging everyone to move forward.[/pullquote]
“Your concerns are being heard and I think tonight has been very productive in terms of bringing us together,” he said. “I’ll never accept that we don’t all want to get better. In the conversations I’ve had, I didn’t hear one teacher say they were satisfied with the status quo. I will never back off challenging everyone to move forward.”
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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.
