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.
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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.
