Community News
School board unanimously approves district’s first golf team program
High school teacher Stuart Ringer advocating for the golf program to the school board.
After hearing a brief presentation from high school teacher Stuart Ringer, the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night unanimously approved offering a golf program for high school men and women as a parent-sponsored activity starting with the coming school year. Ringer said CUSD 7 is the only school in the South Central Conference that doesn’t currently offer a golf program. Before the end of the 2018-2019 school year, he said 10 boys and eight girls expressed an interest in participating in a golf program.
Timber Lakes Golf Course near Staunton has agreed to offer the use of its facilities free of charge for a potential golf program, Ringer said. All other expenses, including transportation to away golf meets, would be covered by fund-raising and fees charged to the parents of participating students. Transportation is expected to be the largest expense associated with the program.
Earlier in the meeting, the board agreed to post an open position for a golf coach on the assumption the program would be approved. Tieman said he and the board were aware that a salary for the position will be added to the contract subject to negotiation with the teachers’ union. Ringer reportedly has agreed to take on the position without pay.
“I want you to know that you have a contractual right to the amount of money in the contract,” Tieman told Ringer. “You can take less than that or you can take nothing. But there’s nothing wrong with you saying that’s what the contract says and that’s what I deserve, and your parents will have to pay for that.”
Tieman said he also wanted parents to be aware there is a cost involved for transportation to away meets. Bus transport will be required; parents cannot carpool to transport players. He recommended that the program contracts with the school district to provide transportation. “It’s probably the most cost effective, efficient and safest alternative,” he said.
Ringer said the schedule would probably include 14 meets, but it was unclear how many of those would be away meets.
BAND/CHORUS TRIP APPROVED
Board members unanimously voted to approve a band/chorus trip next year to Walt Disney World in Florida, but only after calling chorus teacher Weinberg to the board room to answer questions about the week-long outing. After noting Weinberg was not in the room, Board President Hayes tabled the issue until she could be summoned from her home. She arrived after a few minutes to face grilling by several board members.
Among the issues board members wanted addressed were the cost of the trip and the fact that seniors participating in the trip will have already graduated by the time the bus leaves Gillespie.
Weinberg said she worked with the tour company to trim the cost down from about $1,200 to $986 per person. To get that pricing, she said, the school will have to sign up a minimum of 122 participants. She said she hopes the final total will be closer to 150 students. Most of the cost will be subsidized through fund-raising activities held throughout the year, including monthly Krispy Kreme Donut sales. Students would be responsible for incidentals such as souvenirs. Weinberg said the cost is “in line” with other trips she’s taken with students.
Participants will leave Gillespie June 12 and return on June 17. While staying at Walt Disney World, they will participate in workshops hosted by Disney.
“Walt Disney World is the No. 1 workshop in the world,” Weinberg said. “To have the No. 1 workshop in the world, plus a performance at Walt Disney World, it’s going to be good for morale. This is above and beyond grades. These kids are going to have an amazing trip.”
For band students, Disney musicians will create a musical arrangement exclusively for Gillespie that will be keyed to the instruments played by participating students.
The schedule has the students arriving one day before the workshops begin so they will have time to relax and be ready to get the most out of the workshop the next day. The trip also includes some opportunities for fun and recreation, including time at a nearby beach. Weinberg said students will be covered by liability insurance even though there are no lifeguards on the beach.
Some board members questioned scheduling the trip in June, noting that some of those participating will be seniors who have already graduated. “You will have lost control” over seniors, Hayes asserted.
“I’ve taken seniors before and I’ve never had a problem,” Weinberg said. “That’s not to say there wouldn’t be a problem, but I give them the same deal if they get into trouble: ‘I’m calling your parents to come get you’.”
Weinberg said she also gravitated to the June date because “we’ve been discouraged from going over Easter” as has been the case with performance trips.
High School Principal Shane Owsley noted that students going on the trip will not be able to enroll in summer school.
“If the board has a problem with June, you can speak through your vote,” Tieman advised.
Ultimately, on a motion by Carter, seconded by Schmidt, board member unanimously approved the trip.
ACCELERATED PLACEMENT AND COURSE NAMES
After hearing a presentation by Lisa Ballinger, Response to Intervention coordinator, the board unanimously voted to implement a state-mandated formal plan addressing accelerated placement for high-performing students. Education opportunities can be accelerated, Ballinger said, by giving the student more challenging opportunities within his or her grade level, providing accelerated opportunities within a specific subject area or by skipping to a more advanced grade or class.
Plans for accelerating educational opportunities for specific students will be individualized, Ballinger said. “A kindergartener who needs acceleration is going to look very different from a high school student,” she said.
Students can be referred for consideration for acceleration by a teacher or administrator, or a parent. Students referred for consideration will be evaluated by a team of teachers who will recommend whether or not the student would benefit from acceleration. The team’s decision can be appealed within 10 days.
If the student expresses a desire not to be accelerated, the process will stop, Ballinger noted.
In some circumstances, the decision whether or not to accelerate a student may take into consideration factors other than academic performance. For example, a decision to move a student from middle school to high school would depend somewhat upon the student’s emotional maturity and ability to function in a high school environment.
“That would have to be very creative,” Middle School Principle Jill Rosentreter said. “As she mentioned several times, these plans will be very individualized.”
Board members voted 5-1 to approve a proposal to rename some courses offered at the high school level. Owsley said the intent is better reflecting course content and to establish some classes that cater to high-performing students within specific subject areas. Under the proposal, the school will offer Geometry for average students and Honors Geometry for high-performing, college-bound students. Algebra I, Algebra II and Spanish also will have Honors components. Ag I will become Introduction to Agriculture, Ag II will become Ag Science and Ag 3 will become Ag Business.
The renaming will allow students to pick courses geared to their interest, Owsley said. An ag student more interested in the business side of ag production, for example, could skip Ag Science to enroll in Ag Business.
Tiburzi cast the sole negative vote on the measure.
PERSONNEL
In addition to posting an open position for a golf coach, the board voted unanimously to hire Paula Cox as a district secretary and appointed Corbin Clark as a volunteer assistant football coach.
The board accepted the resignation of Alice Maddox as a full-route bus driver and posted the position as vacant.
Contentious school board approves project to remove “hairpin” drive
Also in the area of personnel, the board approved reappointment of spring sports coaches as follows: Robin Niemeyer, head high school women’s soccer coach; Paige Niemeyer, assistant high school women’s soccer coach; Jeremy Smith, head high school men’s baseball coach; Tim Wargo, paid volunteer assistant high school baseball coach; Adam Tallman and Dan Smith, volunteer assistant high school baseball coaches; Michelle Smith, head high school women’s softball coach; Joe Kelly, paid assistant high school women’s softball coach; Jim Matesa and Beth Fields, assistant high school women’s softball coaches; Mike Bertagnolli, head high school men’s track and field coach; Jack Burns, head high school women’s track and field coach; Jerrod Herron, assistant high school track and field coach; Christina Blevins, middle school girls track coach; and Casey Niehaus, middle school boys track coach.
COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROGRAM
On Tieman’s recommendation, the board voted unanimously to participate in a federal Community Eligibility Provision program at the elementary and middle school levels which will allow the district to provide free lunch and free breakfast for all enrolled students. The district meets the minimum percentage of low-income students to participate in the program, Tieman said.
“If you have a certain percentage of poverty, you can offer breakfast and lunch for free,” Tieman said. The USDA reimburses participating districts a certain amount for each meal served based upon poverty levels and other factors. Participating school districts sign a four-year agreement but can opt out after one year if the program proves to be cost ineffective. CUSD 7 has participated in the program at the elementary level for the past four years, making this the year to either renew or discontinue participation.
Tieman said his staff “crunched the numbers” and found that the program would also be cost effective to offer at the middle school level. With a five percent increase in the number of meals served, the reimbursement the school receives would result in the district “breaking even” on the middle school program. A five percent spike translates into only 15 meals per day.
“We should break even on it,” Tieman noted. “At most it would cost us $5,000 to $6,000 for the year. If we can break even on this and kids who aren’t eating get to it, I’m for it.”
Participation in the program was approved on a motion by Carter, seconded by Hatlee.
EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE
Also on Tieman’s recommendation, the board agreed to contract with Blue Cross-Blue Shield to provide employee health insurance. Tieman said Blue Cross-Blue Shield has provided insurance for the past 11 years. This year, the district again sought bids for health care coverage, but because the district prefers a Preferred Provider policy, Blue Cross-Blue Shield was the only company to submit a bid.
The company’s original bid called for a 4.5 increase in premiums.
“I told them that was unacceptable and told them to go back and refigure,” Tieman said. As a result, the premium will be the same as last year with no changes in deductibles or coverage.
“The good news for employees is that their $6.36 per month contribution for health care will go down to about $1.50 because the union contract calls for the district to keep increasing its share of the cost every year,” Tieman said.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Approved a draft Consolidated District Plan to be submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education. Tieman said the document is the same planning document the district has been preparing anyway to guide school improvement, but state law now requires the district to file the document with the state.
- Approved an intergovernmental agreement with five other school districts in Macoupin County in anticipation of a $2 million vocational education grant the county is expected to receive. Tieman said Carlinville School District is designated as the lead school to administer the grant. CUSD 7 is expected to receive about $400,000 for vocational education purposes.
- Accepted bids from Kohl’s Wholesale Foods, Quincy; Aunt Millie’s Bakeries, Ford Wayne, Ind.; and Prairie Farms Dairy, Carlinville to provide grocery items, bread and milk for the district’s food services programs for the 2019-2020 school year.
- Approved a prevailing wage resolution required by law which obligates the district to use service providers that pay their employees prevailing wages as determined by the Department of Labor.
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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.
