Community News
School board renews building principals’ contracts, tables action on renewing skyward software
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night recognized this year’s crop of Illinois State Scholars, heard an extensive presentation regarding the school district’s bond status, and agreed to hire an area accounting firm to conduct the district’s annual audit. But the board balked at renewing a contract with Skyward Software for three years, choosing to table the issue until administrators can explore negotiating more attractive terms.
During a District Focus segment, High School Principal Jill Rosentreter presented GHS seniors who were named Illinois State Scholars. Rosentreter told the board the 13 GHS seniors are part of the top 10 percent of high school seniors from 726 high schools throughout Illinois. Illinois State Scholars are chosen on the basis of SAT test scores and sixth-semester class rankings.
“These young men and women not only excel in the academic arena, but they are also well-rounded students involved in a multitude of extra-curricular activities, clubs and committees, part-time jobs and volunteer services within the community,” Rosentreter said. “These students represent CUSD 7 at its finest and we can be proud to have them serve as role models for all other students.”
This year’s State Scholars include Brynn Baker, Ashton Bethard, Lanie Doty, Levi Hatlee, Luke Hatlee, Kylie Kasarda, Alyssa McDaniel, Madison Niemeyer, Iris Page, Emmery Pau, Katie Polo, Josh Ranger, and Isabella Wallace.
“Along with every staff member and school board member, It has been our pleasure to be a part of your educational experience,” Rosentreter told the students, “and we look forward to watching your continued success.”
BOND PRESENTATION
While the district has no plans for any capital projects that require issuing bonds to finance them, financial consultant Kevin Wills of Bernardi Securities—the firm that has handled the most recent bond issues for the district, including bonds issued for construction of BenGil Elementary School. Part sales pitch and part informative presentation, Wills’ presentation to the bond scrutinized the district’s financial position over the previous five years and offered an assessment of the district’s current bonding capacity.
Wills identified Bernardi as the “leading bond underwriter in Illinois” for both municipalities and school districts. “We’ve underwritten more bonds than anyone else in the country that issues bonds in Illinois,” he said. Apart from administering the mechanics of issuing and selling bonds, Wills said his company takes responsibility for helping school boards determine the limits of their bonding capacity and choose the type of bonds that make the most sense for the district.
When a bond issue is undertaken, Wills said, Bernardi is committed to offering bond sales first to local investors before offering them elsewhere. “They (local investors) know your district,” Wills said. “If we have to go elsewhere, we are prepared to do that.”
As long as the district has outstanding bonds that have not been retired, Wills said Bernardi is obligated to provide a detailed analysis of the district’s financial factors every year. That report, which Wills provided Monday night, covers the previous five years. He pledged to return next year to present an updated report. The report is required by the federal securities exchange, though there are apparently no penalties if it is not done. “No one goes to ‘bond jail’ or anything,” Wills said, adding that the intrinsic value of compiling the reports is to establish a record of financial data investors can consult in the event the district opts to issue bonds in the future.
That district’s last bond issue was in 2017 to build BenGil Elementary School, meaning Bernardi will provide annual financial reports at least until those bonds or retired, assuming no additional bonds are issued.
Wills told the board the district currently has a debt ceiling of $11,544,00, which is 13.8 percent of the district’s total Equalized Assessed Valuation. The district is indebted in the amount of $10,865,000 in principal. Still, the district’s bonding capacity stands at about $7.6 million because the BenGil Elementary bonds were exempted from the debt ceiling via special legislation.
Another limiting factor is the amount of revenue the district has available for debt service. Currently, the district has $489,000 annually as a debt service base, $430,000 of which is being used to service existing debt.
Wills also broke down the district’s bond debt between bonds that are callable and those that are not. Within that list, he noted was $165,000 in bond debt that could be paid off early, saving the district $2,000 to $3,000 in interest costs. But there is no interest advantage to the early retirement of bonds bearing specific call dates for the final payoff.
PERSONNEL
Board members voted unanimously to extend three-year contracts to each of the district’s building principals—High School Principal Rosentreter, Middle School Principal Tara Cooper and BenGil Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto. That action, as well as other personnel action, followed a 90-minute executive session during which the board discussed personnel issues behind closed doors.
In other personnel action, the board accepted “with regret” the retirements of elementary teacher Lorraine Strutner, effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year, and information technology team member Stephanie Bray, effective no later than the end of the 2025-26 school year.
Board members voted unanimously to accept the resignations of Jennifer Brown as high school cheerleading coach, and Matt Brawner as high school assistant boys basketball coach.
The board also voted unanimously to appoint Jay Weber as a volunteer assistant Middle School/High School track and field coach, and to hire Alex Ottersburg as a volunteer Middle School/High School track and field coach, pending a routine background check.
Board members voted unanimously to approve evaluation instruments for the positions of Maintenance Director, Transportation Director and District Mechanic. Supt. Shane Owsley told the board that the evaluation document for the Mechanic position, the only position of the three covered by union contract, had been approved by the union.
SKYWARD CONTRACT
After questions raised by board member Jenni Alepra, the board tabled action on an offer from Skyward Software to enter into a three-year contract at the rate currently paid by the district. According to Owsley, Skyward indicated the district could renew for one year but would face rate increases in the future. The Skyward system is the portal parents and students can use to access homework assignments, grades and other information. It also is used to manage report cards, attendance data and other information.
The district entered into a contract with Skyward last year but teachers and administrators reported concerns about a lack of technical support and “bugs’ in the relatively new program.
“I never felt we got the support we paid for,” Alepra said, suggesting the company should offer to rebate the cost of the first year. She said the company basically used the local school district to launch a pilot program.
Rosentreter said the program is serving its purpose but administrators and staff are still learning to navigate its complexities. “It was a brand new program and I don’t think it was ready,” Rosentreter said. “It was unfair to us.”
“Exactly,” Alepra agreed. “You hit the nail on the head. I think they owe us money or they should give us the first year free to sign a three-year contract with them. I feel like we helped them get their pilot program off the ground.” She said the district paid overtime expenses for Information Technology staff and incurred other costs to get the program to perform as it should.
Based on the discussion, Board President Mark Hayes agreed to table the issue. The company imposed a mid-March deadline to accept the three-year contract, but Hayes said the board is likely to have a special meeting before the offer expires. In the meantime, Owsley is expected to approach company officials to see if he can negotiate a refund.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Former school board member Ferdinad Girardi of Benld appeared before the board to comment about the creation of Community Unit School District 7 in 1962. Now 95 years old, Girardi said he was on the Benld School Board when members agreed to “annex” the Gillespie and Benld school districts. He said the move was defined as an annexation because board members would not support a consolidation.
As part of the agreement, he said, Benld was told “there would always be a school in Benld.” Following the loss of Benld Elementary School to mine subsidence more than a decade ago, CUSD 7 opted to build an elementary school adjacent to the Gillespie High School/Middle School complex.
“You bought land and built a school here,” Girardi said. “You could have done the same thing in Benld.”
He admitted it is was “too late” to bring up the issue after the fact but he wanted to “put a bug in someone’s ear.” In the meantime, he suggested the current board should approach Mount Olive about establishing a South Macoupin School District.
“Mount Olive is suffering,” he said. “You should be meeting with them to make one South Macoupin School. You’d save money in the long run.”
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Owsley reported to the board that he is in the process of meeting with school bus providers to determine the most cost-efficient way to replace aging buses in the school district’s transportation fleet. He said several buses are approaching 175,000 miles and will soon need to be replaced. He said he already has met with two companies to discuss the merits of leasing or leasing to buy buses versus outright purchasing.
He also reported a meeting with Keith Moran, a Tax Increment Financing district consultant working with the City of Gillespie to establish a new TIF District. TIF districts accrue revenue by capturing increases in property tax revenues within the district over the life of the district. School districts often oppose such districts because they preclude the school district of gaining revenue from increases in evaluation but Owsley said he negotiated a deal for the district to get 20 percent of the revenues earmarked for the Tax Increment Fund. Additionally, he said, the district owns a number of vacant lots within the new district that the board may want to consider selling to developers for new home construction.
In other action the board agreed to again hire Loy Miller Talley, PC, to perform the state-mandated annual audit. The company has performed the audit for the past several years and agreed to perform the audit for he current fiscal year at a cost not to exceed $10,170.
Comments
Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night approved two zoning variances for David Wycoff and Ben Maracacci but decline to override the Zoning Board’s decision to deny a petition for a zoning reclassification on the city’s east side.
Amanda Yeager appeared before the council, hoping the council would override the recommendation of the Benld Zoning Board regarding reclassification for a parcel of property on the east side of Illinois Route 138 across from the Cabin Bar and Restaurant. Yeager was referred to the Zoning Board in January after she appeared before the council hoping to have the parcel reclassified from residential to agricultural use. At that time, she told the council she wanted the property rezoned to make it more sellable. On Monday night, however, she indicated that she plans to build a house on the property a keep one to three farm animals—horses, goats and/or sheep.
Yeager pointed out that the property is surrounded by property already zoned for agricultural use. Two out of five property owners neighboring the Yeager property objected to the Zoning Board regarding the reclassification. One of those property owners, Yeager pointed, lives on property that already is zoned for agricultural used.
“It’s not a democratic process,” City Attorney Rick Vericchio explained. Even though a majority of the neighbors either supported or have no opinion on the matter, the Zoning Board could base its recommendation on other factors.
According to Yeager, some members of the Board told her privately after the hearing that if they had known about the number of neighbors who supported or had no objection, they would have voted to recommend reclassification.
“You want this council to override the Zoning Board?” Mayor Jim Kelly asked Yeager.
When Kelly called for a motion to reclassify the property, none of the aldermen responded. “I would need more information before I vote on this,” said Ald. Jerry Saracco. With no motion on the floor, the matter died.
Ald. Norm Emmons advised Yeager to reapply to the Zoning Board and restart the hearing process, after which the council could vote on the Board’s recommendation.
The council was unanimous in granting a zoning variance for Ben Marcacci to build duplexes on two of three lots at 311 W. Central Avenue, 208 West Spruce and 210 West Spruce. Marcacci reportedly plans to build a home on speculation on the third lot.
The council also was unanimous in granting a variance to David Wykoff to bring in a mobile home for 18 months while he builds a new home on 4.83 acres of property just off Cahokia Street. Wykoff said he will consult with the Macoupin County Department of Public Health to advise him on installing a septic system to service the new home.
In other housing action, the council voted unanimously to declare 206 South Second Street a public nuisance—a formality that authorizes the City Attorney to send a letter to the owners demanding they clean up the property within 60 days. The home reportedly is vacant and needs to have the grass mowed.
Council members also discussed an ongoing public nuisance case against property at 306 Park Avenue. Brian Komanetsky, owner of the house, is pursuing an eviction action against the occupant and has promised the city he will clean up the property once the tenant is removed. An eviction hearing is set for April 28.
“By our next meeting we’ll have a better handle on when she will be out,” Veritcchio advised. “Does he intend to clean it up? He says he does.”
STOP SIGN
On the recommendation of Ald. Dustin Fletcher, the council voted 5-1 to install a stop sign on Short Street at Willow Street. Fletcher said residents in the area complained about speeding vehicles on Short Street.
Ald. John Balzraine cast the single “no” vote.
ANNUAL AUDIT
The council gave the Mayor power to act to retain Scheffel Boyle Public Accountants to complete the city’s annual audit at a cost not to exceed $20,000. The accounting firm had not submitted a formal proposal before Monday night’s meeting. Last year, the audit was completed at a cost of $18,500.
City Clerk Terri Koyne reminded aldermen the firm already has been retained at a cost of $5,000 for a special audit of IDNR grant funds expended on building the new Benld Family Sports Complex.
CEJA PROJECT
Council members voted unanimously to spend about $5,000 in Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant money to install a new floor and paint in the former City Hall when the CEJA grant funds become available. The renovated space will be offered as a community meeting venue for civic group meetings.
GOLD STANDARD AWARD
Ald. Balzraine announced that the DeStefane Events Center was recognized as a Gold Standard award recipient by the Macoupin County Department of Public Health for compliance with food handling safety regulations. The Events Center was one of 33 recipients recognized by the Health Department.
Balzraine said Sue McCoy is in charge of ensuring the Events Center is in compliance and “she does a fantastic job.”
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FELONIES
Rusty S. Menge, 54 of Hettick, is charged with reckless discharging of a firearm in connection with an April 12 incident.
Brandon L. Allen, 41 of Port Orange, FL, is charged with two counts of unlawful commercial use of game ($500+), two counts of outfitting service without a permit, hunting on others land without permission, five counts of obtain license/revoked in a another state, using license issued to another, and loan/transfer license in connection to an April 16 incident.
Michelle D. Heaton, 51 of East Alton, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a December 14, 2025 incident.
Tanner L. Wolff, 24 of Litchfield, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a December 13, 2025 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Larry E. Conlee, 42 of Mount Clare, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with an April 11 incident.
Kenneth W. Bennett, 69 of Carlinville, is charged with violating an order of protection in connection with an April 14 incident.
Gregory A. Swift, 43 of Virden, is charged with heft of lost/mislaid property (<$500) in connection with an October 18, 2025 incident.
Brandon P. Bellm, 33 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a March 18 incident.
Joseph S. Augustine, 50 of Staunton, is charged with tossing/throwing a jackrock on property in connection with an April 14 incident.
TRAFFIC
Casey C. Trebing, 28 of Worden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an April 10 incident.
Ayman Y. Omar, 51 of Lake Saint Louis, MO, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an April 12 incident.
John M. Steward, 29 of Springfield, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit in connection with an April 12 incident.
Kylie T. Hunter, 29 of Springfield, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an April 12 incident.
Diana C. Hardison, 60 of Bunker Hill, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an April 12 incident.
Jimmy Monroe, 75 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and improper traffic lane usage.
Richard A. Stuckey, 70 of Brighton, is charged with failure to notify of damage to an unattended vehicle in connection with an April 9 incident.
Camden G. Zumwalt, 18 of Staunton, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit in connection with an April 14 incident.
Trinity A. Pruitt, 22 of Benld, is charged with unlawful possession of cannabis/driver and driving 1-10 mph above the limit.
Keith M. Steele, 27 of Auburn, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit in connection with an April 11 incident.
Joshua D. Strode, 48 of Chatham, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an April 10 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Marshall Emery versus Maurissa Emery
- Coltan Milton versus Chelsea Milton
- Micah Gotter versus Pamela Gotter
- Katie Ritter versus Thomas Ritter
- James A. Donaldson versus Cheryl A. Donaldson
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Cristopher C. Miller and Yvonne M. Rendon, both of Carlinville.
- Earl W. Tiepelman and Maria J. Goth, both of Mount Olive
- Phillip L. Randazzo and Trisden M. Haggett, both of Gillespie.
- Christopher T. Bertolis and Jordan R. Ryan, both of Mount Olive.
- Robert A. Lee and Dawn M. Hilderbrand, both of Maryville.
- Jason T. Daube and Jamie M. Goble, both of Brighton.
- Gabriel E. Bliss and Grace A. Hobson, both of Virden.
- Matthew G. Weidner of Bunker Hill and Claire A. Wilton of Carlinville
- Michelle L. Dettwiler of Litchfield and Heather N. Geary of Vine Grove, Kentucky
- Hunter Gl. Niemann of Litchfield and Hannah M. Ward of Pawnee
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SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to found property.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of South Street in Benld in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer was dispatched to Park Street and South Trolley Street in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to Fillmore Street and Burton Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Shelby Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Central in Benld in reference to a medical issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 1st Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 2300 block of Staunton Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of 2nd Street in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Central in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Walnut Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to Spruce Street and 5th Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026
The school resource officer was dispatched to the Gillespie High School Office in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie High School in the 600 block of Broadway Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to illegal dumping.
Douglas D. Davis, 59 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for driving while license revoked.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Francis Street in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Kentucky Street and Central Avenue in Benld. A 16 year old male from Benld was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of North Francis Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud in the 600 block of Gillespie Street.
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Hard Road and Dorsey Road in Benld. Camden G. Zumwalt, 18 of Staunton, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 1400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Charles Street in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to illegal parking.
An officer was dispatched to Dorsey Street and Hard Road in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to to harassment in the 300 block of East Maple Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a security check.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North Main Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Pine Street in reference to a well-being check.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Staunton Road and Henrietta Street. Lester W. Harvill, 56 of Benld, was arrested for improper lane usage and driving under the influence.
Catherine A. Brister, 50 of Staunton, was arrested on a Calhoun County warrant for failure to appear for violation of a court order.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Stemmi Street in Wilsonville to assist the Macoupin County Sheriff Department.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to juvenile issue on Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare.
An officer spoke with an officer at Gillespie Police Department in reference to harassment on Fries Lane at Gillespie Lake.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to illegal dumping
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North 6th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female in reference to child abuse.
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female in reference to a child custody issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of West Osie Street in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Staunton Road and Illinois Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of LJ Avenue in reference to a wellbeing check.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Maple Street and Jersey Street. Amy L. Vollintine, 31 of Sorento, was issued a citation for suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to Benld City Garage in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Walnut Street and Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Central in Benld in reference to criminal trespass.
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Henrietta Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Berry Street in Mt. Clare in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and Oregon Street. Daniel L. Harpole, 31 of Brighton, was issued a citation for speeding.
The school resource officer was dispatched to Ben-Gil Elementary School in reference to an issue with a parent.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Elm Street with an Alderman in reference to an ordinance issue.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 600 block of West Osie Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was out at a business in the 400 block of East Central in Benld speaking with a male in reference to suspended registration.
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
John E. Wenzel, 74 of Mt. Clare, was issued citations for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street.
An officer assisted Macoupin County Sheriff Department at South 4th Street and East Spruce Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Hard Road in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Locust Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to Meadowlark Drive in Benld in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to neighborhood issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a security check.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Western Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
