Community News
School board seats new members, conducts bond issue hearing
Community Unit School District 7’s Board of Education on Monday night seated newly elected board members, elected officers for the next two years, took another step toward issuing about $1.6 million in alternative revenue bonds, and tentatively discussed projects on which the money might be spent.
A brief public hearing on the bond issue was held following the first of two executive sessions, though no members of the public attended to comment or ask questions, and no written statements were submitted. Kevin Wills of Benardi Securities, O’Fallon, described the hearing as a legally mandated second step toward issuing bonds sometime within the next six months. Last month, the board approved a resolution announcing its intention to issue up to $1.8 million in alternate revenue bonds for facilities improvements. The school district plans to pay off the bonds using proceeds from a School Facilities Sales Tax approved by Macoupin County voters.
“This is the second step in the process, you took the first step last month,” Wills told the board. “Any time you issue bonds without direct voters approval, state law requires you to have a public hearing.”
Next month the board is expected to vote on whether or not to authorize Bernardi Securities to start structuring the bond sale and establishing parameters for the bonds. That step will be followed by a resolution to actually sell bonds, which could happen as early as May but more likely will occur sometime later. Details of the bond issue are contingent upon market conditions, the total estimated cost of projects the board chooses to prioritize and whether or not a pending application for a $500,000 federal grant for kitchen improvements is successful.
“Nothing has changed since last month,” said Wills, referring to considerations affecting the bond sale. The board expects to keep annual payments to retire the bonds at or below $200,000 (about half of what the school district receives in school facilities sales tax revenue) with the term limited to 10 years.
Board member Weye Schmidt indicated he would be reluctant to approve the bond sale until it is known whether or not the district will receive the $500,000 federal grant, which would reduce the amount financed via the bond sale. “I don’t want to borrow more than we need,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt also asked to change the language of authorizing resolution from “$1.8 million” to “no more than $1.8 million.” Wills said that change would be acceptable. “You don’t lock into the specific amount until the next step,” Wills said. Tentatively, the board and Wills have discussed a bond issue of $1.6 million if the district’s federal grant application fails.
Responding to a question from newly seated board member Peyton Brent, Wills said the district can place proceeds from the bond sale in interest-bearing accounts to draw some interest as the district draws down on the funds. Under terms of the bond sale, the district has three years to spend the money.
Essentially, the bond issue is a mechanism to generate a large sum of money it would otherwise take 10 years to accrue from sales tax proceeds. The fact the district is dedicating an existing revenue source to pay off the bonds precludes the requirement for voter approval via referendum.
Later in the meeting, the board voted unanimously to authorize Supt. Shane Owsley to work with architects to develop tentative plans and cost estimates for various facilities improvement projects the board may consider funding with proceeds from the bond sale. Because the alternate revenue source the district will use to repay the bonds is School Facilities Sales Tax revenue, the money can be spent only on permanent capital improvements to school facilities.
“I’m looking for the board’s blessing to sit down with our architects and say, ’This is what we want’,” Owsley said.
The “wish list” includes safety upgrades for the kitchen area used for food services, some of which are dependent upon the district receiving the $500,000 federal grant.
“There are some of these I’m going to recommend whether we get the grant or not,” Owsley told the board.
High on the list of priorities is creating a circular drive and small parking area for visitors in front of the high school. Owsley said that project would take a lion’s share of the bond issue funds but would clarify where the front door of the high school is located, create a drop-off area for students and improve security.
“Right now people park at the Dairy Queen and walk all the way across the front to the door, or they come to the back and come in through the breezeway, which gives them access to our kids,” he said. The project would allow the district to “highlight” the archway—a remnant of the old Gillespie High School, according to Owsley.
This list also includes the construction of new press boxes at the district’s baseball/softball fields, along with upgraded bathrooms. The new bathrooms are important, Owsley said, to preclude opening portions of BenGil Elementary School so spectators can use the bathrooms.
“A lot of things on this list are to keep people out,” Owsley said. “It doesn’t make sense to open our bathrooms and let people come in.”
Upgrades in the cafeteria include the possibility of removing tile flooring and reverting to a polished concrete surface, both for sanitation and maintenance.
Owsley also has his eye on a new weight room. Maintenance Director Brian Paige said the north wall of the gymnasium, replaced following extensive tornado damage several years ago, is leaking. He said roofing contractors have blamed the masonry while the masons say the roof is the issue; current plans are to treat the wall with some sort of permanent sealant. Paige said he also is dealing with problems with decorative glass panels used as accents on some building windows that are “rotting from the inside out.” He said school officials have been unsuccessful in getting the manufacturer to honor a 25-year warranty. In the meantime, another company stepped to replace panels that have actually rotted, but that does not address panels that are likely to fail in the future. Both the gym wall and the glass panels may become a part of the ambitious capital plan financed with alternate revenue bonds.
In somewhat related action, the board voted to join the TIPS Procurement organization, a purchasing collective that utilizes bulk purchasing power to acquire materials at attractive prices. Owsley told the board that TIPS is a source for lower-cost glazing products the district may need to buy for bond-funded safety projects. He said the board may be asked to join other cooperatives in the coming months as the list of projects comes into better focus.
“There are a lot of these cooperatives and they all seem to have their own niche,” Owsley said.
BOARD REORGANIZATION
Prior to addressing the major agenda Monday night, newly elected board members were sworn in and officers were named. Before swearing in board members who were elected during the April 4 consolidated election, the retiring board certified the election results, declaring as winners Mark Hayes with 677 votes, Weye Schmidt with 702 votes, Amanda Ross with 672 votes and Kellie Vesper with 661 votes for four-year terms, and Peyton Bernot with 562 votes for a two-year, unexpired term. Mike Bellovich was unsuccessful as a write-in candidate with 246 votes.
Hayes, Schmidt and Ross were incumbent members, with Ross having been appointed to the board after the resignation of Jenni Alepra earlier this year. Vesper is a new member, stepping into a position previously held by Becky Hatlee. Bernot was elected to an unexpired two-year term remaining on the late Don Dobrino’s term of office. Jack Burns, who chose not to run for election, was appointed to replace Dobrino, served two years but chose not to run for election. Ironically, Hatlee was first appointed to the board four years ago after Bernot resigned from his previous term on the board.
The new board will have the same officers for the next two years. Hayes was again declared board president after he was nominated by Bill Carter and Schmidt moved to close the nominations. A 20-year veteran of the board, Hayes has served as president for 16 years and two years as vice. Schmidt was re-elected as vice-president by declaration after being nominated by Ross, and Carter was re-elected secretary by declaration upon being nominated by Hayes.
Kathy McDaniels was appointed to continue as the board’s recording secretary, and newly elected board member Vesper was named by Hayes to serve as the board’s representative to the South Macoupin Special Education Cooperative.
Hayes also made the following committee assignments:
- Building and Grounds: Carter, Hayes and Bernot.
- Finance: Schmidt and Dennis Tiburzi.
- Athletic: Carter, Tiburzi and Ross.
- Policy: Hayes Carter, Schmidt and Bernot.
- Superintendent Evaluation: Schmidt, Hayes and Carter.
- School Improvement: Tiburzi (BenGil Elementary), Ross (Gillespie Middle School), and Bernot (Gillespie High School).
- Community: Bernot, Vesper and Schmidt.
- Crisis Plan Review: Hayes.
- District Improvement: Tiburzi.
- Parent-Teacher: Vesper.
- Strategic Plan: Schmidt and Ross.
- Contract Negotiation: Hayes, Carter and Ross.
Immediately after the board reorganization, the board entered into a 30-meeting executive session, returning at 7 p.m. for the previously scheduled bond hearing. Once the hearing was concluded, the board entered into a second, 60-minute executive session to discuss personnel and other issues.
PERSONNEL
After the second of two executive sessions, the board took action to appoint teachers for the district’s summer school program, and took other personnel action.
On a motion by Tiburzi, seconded by Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to appoint Vanessa Barrett, Marci Johns, Jessica Kelly, Jennifer Parker, Amy Price and Karissa Smith as summer school teachers at BenGil Elementary School. In separate actions, Casey Edgerton was appointed as Gillespie Middle School summer school English teacher, Shanna Conner was appointed as Gillespie Middle School summer school math teacher, Mary Schuette was appointed as Gillespie High School summer school English teacher, and Jennifer Brown was appointed Gillespie High School summer school driver’s education teacher.
Penny Feeley and Janice Hammann were appointed as summer school food service workers.
The board approved Laura Peterson and Chase Peterson as Gillespie High School/Middle School volunteer assistant cross-country coaches and appointed Donnie Allan as Gillespie High School assistant track and field coach.
In other personnel action, the board posted a vacancy for a high school business teacher and posted a vacancy for a full-time dean of students position. The dean of students position, responsible primarily for student discipline issues, previously was a part-time position shared with the athletic director.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment early in the meeting, GHS Principal Jill Rosentreter recognized students who recently were named Illinois State Scholars, including Macy Fosnock, Emily Schoen, Jenna Clark and Shelby Geisler, who attended the meeting and were introduced to the board.
“We’re very proud of you,” Rosentreter told the girls.
Jennifer Brown, who teaches driver’s education and sponsors IMPACT’D, a student driving safety group, discussed recent accomplishments of the group and Bryn Baker’s winning the Chicago Auto Club’s Driving Safety PSA contest. Baker submitted a winning script for a public service announcement urging teen passengers to call out drivers who are driving recklessly. A professional production company came to Gillespie High School to film the PSA, which was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show. Brown screened the PSA, which featured GHS students as actors, for the board.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Approved the district student fee schedule for the 2023-24 academic year. The schedule is virtually the same as this year’s schedule except for a slight increase in lunch and breakfast costs.
- Learned the district recently received a $36,000 grant to purchase new kitchen equipment.
- Tentatively scheduled a four-hour board member training session to be conducted by a representative of the Illinois Association of School Boards. Hayes said the training is directed at new members but current members also are urged to attend as a refresher.
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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.
