CUSD 7 News
School board names new head football coach
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted unanimously to appoint Cory Bonstead as the Gillespie High School head football coach for the 2024-25 school year, replacing Dalton Barnes, whose resignation was accepted last month. In other action, the board voted to dismiss Assistant Varsity Football Coach Donnie Allen, and to not renew Allen’s appointment as the high school track and field coach.
The actions bring to an end several weeks of controversy related to the former head coach and assistant coach. Barnes resigned last month as both a high school physical education and social studies teacher as well as the head football coach after parents alleged he and Allen engaged in verbal and physical abuse of student-athletes. An online petition garnering more than 630 electronic signatures accused Barnes and Allen of “child abuse,” citing alleged “verbal abuse, physical abuse, influencing and coercing student-athletes to act against other student-athletes that have spoken out against the abuse, and attempting to limit the First Amendment rights of student-athletes with threats and manipulation.”
While Barnes submitted his resignation, Allen did not step down, precipitating Monday night’s actions to sever him from the district.
Bonstead was hired in July 2022 as a high school resource teacher. He has served as an assistant football coach for the past two years. Before coming to the school district, he was an assistant football coach for Galesburg’s Knox College, where he earned his degree. As a formality, the board also officially accepted Bonstead’s formal resignation as assistant freshman football coach and posted a vacancy for that position.
The actions to hire a new head coach and dismiss the assistant coach took place following a one-hour executive session to discuss personnel issues and other concerns. Upon returning to open session, the board voted unanimously to rehire a roster of certified staff members discussed in executive session.
The board accepted “with regret” the resignation for purposes of retirement of long-serving district custodian Jerry Balzraine, effective May 31, 2025.
Custodian Neil Balzraine, representing non-certificated employees, read a statement thanking Supt. Shane Owsley, Board President Mark Hayes and other board members for coming to an agreement with the union for a new contract covering non-certificated employees.
“Through night and weekends, we worked hard and got a lot done,” Balzraine said. “These meetings were most professional, cordial and productive.”
Later in the meeting, the board voted unanimously to accept the new contract, which reportedly was ratified by union members Monday morning.
In other personnel action, the board reappointed winter coaches, including Casey Sholtis as GHS head boy’s basketball coach, Jake Kellebrew as assistant high school boy’s basketball coach, Anthony Kravanya as an unpaid volunteer assistant boy’s basketball coach, Jarrod Herron as scholar bowl coach for high school as well as seventh and eighth grade, Andrea Williamson as high school dance coach, Elizabeth Thackery as seventh-grade volleyball coach, and Celia Jubelt as eighth-grade volleyball coach.
Board members unanimously voted to accept the resignation of middle school paraprofessional James Bryant and to post a vacancy for the position. The board also approved a maternity leave request for BenGil Elementary School paraprofessional Kristin Schoen.
The board voted unanimously in separate actions to accept the resignation of Celia Jubelt as head high school women’s volleyball coach and post a vacancy for the position, and to appoint Matt Brawner as a GHS assistant women’s basketball coach.
Also in separate actions, the board voted to post job openings for a district head cook and a district kitchen employee. Board member Amanda Ross who moved to approve both actions pointed out the openings represent existing positions. “I want to be clear that we are not creating new positions,” she said.
SAFETY PROJECTS
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Ross, the board green-lit three safety projects to be funded with proceeds of a COPS Federal Safety Grant.
PASS Security of Fairview Heights was the sole bidder for adding door access security for entry to the middle school/high school complex at a cost of $81,210.
Barcom Security with base offices in Springfield, Swansea and St. Louis, submitted the sole bid of $113,000 for an updated fire alarm system for the middle school/high school complex.
Commercial Telephone Systems, Collinsville, also the sole bidder, will install an updated intercom system at the middle school at a cost of $62,769.
“The companies we hoped would submit bids did submit bids and the prices were what we expected,” Supt. Owsley told the board. The contracts call for the work to be completed by two days before the start of the 2024-25 school year.
FISCAL 2024 BUDGET
The board voted to place on file for public review an amended budget for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. Owsley advised that some numbers in the tentative amended budget are likely to change for the board’s final approval next month. State law requires a 30-day review period, however, even though some data to be reflected in the budget is still being collected.
“I can tell this will change,” Owsley said. “I will have final numbers and a presentation for the board in June.”
Last month, the board directed Owsley to begin work on a tentative fiscal 2025 budget authorized operational expenditures for the period between July 1 and whenever the new budget is approved. Typically, the district finalizes a budget for the current fiscal year in September.
SURPLUS PROPERTY
Upon Owsley’s recommendation, the board declared two buses and one truck as surplus property. The three vehicles will be advertised for sale to the highest qualified bidders.
OTHER ACTION
In other words action, the board:
- Approved a high school course description book for the 2024-25 school year. GHS Principal Jill Rosentreter said there are no major changes from the course description document the district used last year.
- Approved a revised school calendar. Supt. Owsley said the only change is setting 12:45 p.m. as the dismissal time on days that have early dismissal. Previously, early dismissal times were staggered at 12:30 and 1 p.m. The change is precipitated by the district’s decision to start the school day as the same time for all three attendance centers.
- Approved a district-wide job description list.
- Approved a corrected school fees schedule. Owsley said the action was needed because the schedule approved last month was inaccurate due to a computer error resulting from merging fee schedules from the district’s three attendance centers.
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Community Unit School District 7 Supt. Shane Owsley accepts a donation from the 2024 Coal Country royalty during Monday night’s meeting of the Board of Education. The organization makes an annual donation to the district in recognition of the district allowing the organization to use school facilities for the annual pageant and practices. Those presenting the check are the 2024 Coal Country Little Miss Swayzee Johnson, Miss Coal Country 2024 Haylie Holt, and the 2024 Coal Country Junior Princess Autumn Walker.
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night renewed principals’ contracts, viewed a proposed school calendar for the upcoming 2025-26 school year and voted to refer two students to the Regional Office of Education’s Alternative Education program in lieu of expelling them.
Actions to extend the contracts of all three building principals and the district’s assistant principal by one year followed an hour-long executive session to discuss personnel, legal issues and other items. BenGil Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto, Middle School Principal Patrick McGinty and High School Principal Jill Rosentreter are each employed under terms of a three-year contract. The one-year extension extends their contracts to the end of the 2027-28 school year.
In other personnel action, the board voted to hire Denise Garner, Staunton, as an administrative assistant, effective April 1, pending a routine background check.
Board members unanimously accepted the resignation of Chris Fenton, District Custodian, effective Jan. 27, as well as the resignation due to retirement of paraprofessional Shelia Katich, effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Motions to accept the resignations also authorized posting vacancies for both jobs.
The board voted unanimously to hire Makayla Huff for a three-hour cafeteria worker position, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check.
In separate actions, the board accepted the resignations of Casey Sholtis as Gillespie High School head mens basketball coach, effective at the end of the 2024-25 season, as well as coaching the parent-funded golf program. Vacancies were posted for both positions.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
The board placed on first reading a proposed school calendar for the 2024-25 academic year. The tentative calendar calls for teacher institute days on Aug. 11 and 12, with the first day of student attendance on Aug. 13. The last day of student attendance would be May 26, but could be as early as May 18 if no emergency days are required.
School holidays would include Labor Day on Sept. 1, Columbus Day on Oct. 13, Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Thanksgiving, Nov. 26-30, Martin Luther King Day on Jan 19, Presidents Day on Feb. 16, and Memorial Day on May 26. Winter Break would run Dec. 20-Jan. 4, and Spring Break would run April 2-6. Teacher Institute days are tentatively scheduled Oct. 24, Feb. 13, March 20 and the day after the last day of student attendance.
If approved, the calendar calls for commencement on May 17.
Subject to final approval by the board, classes will dismiss at 1:45 p.m. on Oct. 17, Oct. 22, Oct. 23, Dec. 19, March 13 and for the last day of student attendance.
SCHOOL EXPULSIONS
In separate actions, the board agreed to “hold in abeyance’ the expulsion of two district students, referring them to the Regional Office of Education’s Alternative Education program in Carlinville, which will allow them to continue to meet their educational requirements. Supt. Shane Owsley told the BenGil Post that the board will revisit the expulsions after one year to determine if the students can return to classes or continue to attend the Alternative School program.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Supt. Owsley reported to the board that the governor’s budget proposal includes $350 million for education, which could mean an increase in state aid to the district. The amount of the increase, however, will not be known until it is determined whether CUSD 7 is a Tier I or Tier II school based on average per student expenditures for education. Funding for mandated services, however, is not increased in the budget proposal, meaning reimbursement to the district for such things as transporting students for special education needs is likely to fall from 98 percent to about 80 percent.
Owsley also reported that Lewis and Clark Community College has approved two GHS business courses for dual credit, meaning students can earn college credits by taking those courses. Additionally, the South Central Illinois Regional Training and Innovation Center, Litchfield, is now providing four dual credit courses aimed at students who expect to go into teaching as a career.
Owsley acknowledged the recent death of Rose Tebbe who was among the founding members of the Partnership for Educational Excellence, a non-profit organization that provides scholarship funds and classroom grants for CUSD 7.
DISTRICT FOCUS
GHS Principal Jill Rosentreter recognized 17-year-old Emily Bergen, whose safe driving video won first place in the National Road Safety Foundation’s annual contest. A professional video producer visited Gillespie last year to film and edit Bergen’s concept. Competing with entries from through the nation, Bergen’s video was first selected as one of three finalist, then selected as the winner two weeks ago at the Chicago Auto Show. Bergen’s 30-second public service announcement will be featured on the nationally-syndicated Teen Kids News, reaching more than 160 TV stations across the country. Additionally, Bergen earned a $2,000 cash award.
“Thank you for representing Gillespie High School well,” Owsley told Bergen.
Rosentreter also cited the GHS women’s basketball team for their undefeated season and South Central Conference championship win. She said the team, the first undefeated women’s team since 1997, will be invited to a future meeting to be recognized by the board.
Additionally, Rosentreter called out Elle Wilson, who recently was named to the All-State Choir.
CONCUSSION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
By a unanimous vote, the board approved members for a state-mandated Concussion Oversight Committee to establish protocols for students to return to class are return to sports participation after having sustained a concussion. Owsley said the protocols are in place but a number of the committee’s original members have retired or left the district.
Committee members approved Monday night are: Supt Owsley, Principals McGinthy and Rosentreter, Assistant Principal Cooper, Ben-Gil Nurse Rachel Bouillon, GHS/GMS Nurse Whitney Page, Athletic Director Jeremy Smith, GHS physical education teacher Tate Wargo, high school teacher and coach Korben Clark, dean of students and coach Casey Sholtis, and special education teacher and coach Cory Bonstead.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board voted unanimously to again retain Loy-Miller-Talley, PC, to perform the district’s annual audit at a cost not to exceed $16,850.
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who founded The Partnership in 1992; CUSD7 …. Mark Carpani, CUSD7 Technology
Director and Steve Compton, Technology Assistant; and Partnership Secretary Rosie
Emmenderfer. All flanking digital “thank you” display prepared by Carpani and
Compton.
The Partnership for Educational Excellence is pleased to announce that it has made a third consecutive donation of $30,000 to the school children of Community Unit District 7 in Gillespie.
“Every one of these dollars was donated by a community member, family, business, or
professional,” says Donna Prevedell, vice president and an original member of the education
foundation that formed in 1992. “Witnessing and passing on generosity of our community
continues to be a joy.”
To date, The Partnership has invested more than $1 million of donations to classroom and district-wide grants as well as academic tuition scholarships for Gillespie High School graduates entering accredited trade schools, colleges, and universities.
“This remarkable gift from the Partnership demonstrates their deep commitment to
advancing educational opportunities in our community,” said R. Shane Owsley, Superintendent
of Gillespie CUSD #7. “Their support will have a lasting impact on our students’ educational
journey and future success.”
CUSD7 Technology Coordinator Mark Carpani explains: “These are not chrome books
but rather full-blown laptops that are two-in-one design, meaning they can double as a laptop and a tablet, with touch and pen recognition,” he says. “They are specifically designed for education and built to withstand damage more than a traditional laptop. They serve the students well.”
Owsley continues: “This generous contribution will be directly invested in expanding our
students’ access to technology through the purchase of new computers. This significant
investment in our students’ future will enhance their learning experiences and better prepare them for success in our increasingly digital world with vital tools for research, skill development, and academic achievement.
The Gillespie CUSD7 Board of Education, administration, teachers, and students extend their heartfelt appreciation to the Partnership for their dedication to improving educational resources in our district.
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In a nail-biting showdown that will be remembered for years to come, the Gillespie Miners girls basketball team captured the South Central Conference title with a hard-fought 55-52 victory over the Pana Panthers on Thursday night, February 13. This marks Gillespie’s first conference championship since their back-to-back titles in 2001-02, when they shared the honors with Southwestern both finishing with a 9-1 conference record.
The game held at Pana High School was anything but straightforward. After a tumultuous 13-minute delay due to injuries and a technical foul controversy, the Miners rallied their spirits to secure the win. Amari Vickery led the charge with a stellar performance, scoring 21 points, while Mia Brawner added 11, Maggie Heyen contributed 10, Delaney Taylor posted 5, Sadie Sholtis scored 4, and Lainey Edwards and Corrine Fellin each had 2 points.
From the opening tip, it was clear that Pana was not going to roll over easily. The Panthers held leads at the end of the first two quarters, 15-14 and 28-26, showcasing their tenacity. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Pana had edged ahead 44-42, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
However, the game took a chaotic turn in the fourth quarter when a collision between Vickery and teammate Sloane Brawner resulted in both players going down with injuries. Sloane was not able to return the game but Vickery did. The Miners also lost both Delaney Taylor and Sadie Sholtis to fouls and Gillespie was assessed a technical foul under controversial circumstances which tied the game at 49. But Heyen carried the weight through the fourth quarter recording 6 of her 10 points in the final quarter of play.
Despite the setbacks, the Miners displayed remarkable teamwork resilience under the leadership of Nikki and Matt Brawner. With the SCC championship secured and the regular season concluded with a 22-8 overall record and 9-0 conference record, the Miners now shift their focus to the upcoming regional which is being hosted in Gillespie.
Gillespie hosts Alton Marquette on Monday, Feb. 17 for the regional semi-finals after Alton Marquette knocked East-Alton Wood River, 36-29, to face the Miners. The winner advances to the regional championship that will be played on Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in Gillespie versus the winner of Staunton/Roxana.
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Illinois Farm Bureau to host ‘Rules for the Road’ trucking seminar in Carlinville on March 20
Zion Lutheran School to host open house on March 18 for preschool and kindergarten programs
