Community News
School Board votes to return to five-day in-classroom instruction
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to return to in-classroom instruction five days a week as of Monday, Jan. 25.
The action was approved on a motion by Jenni Alepra, seconded by Weye Schmidt. As a result of the action, Wednesday will no longer be a remote learning/support day. Gillespie High School and Gillespie Middle School students attending in-classroom instruction will be dismissed at 1 p.m.; BenGil Elementary students will be dismissed at 2 p.m.
Remote learning remains an option for students whose families are more comfortable with in-home instruction.
The district started the year with remote learning but by board action offered in-classroom learning starting on Monday, Oct. 5, with a four-day class schedule. Students were allowed to attend in-person classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with Wednesday set aside to sanitize school facilities and for teachers to offer individual student support. As the number of COVID-19 burgeoned this past fall, the board voted to return to remote learning, effective Nov. 30 and continuing through the winter break.
Students were able to return to the four-day schedule on Jan. 6. At that time the board announced it would consider returning to a five-day schedule as of Jan. 25.
Prior to Monday night’s action, Jennifer Brown, representing the local teachers union read a statement acknowledging the administration’s efforts to communicate with teachers and assist with preparations to quickly convert from four-day a week instruction to five-day a week instruction. She urged the board and administration to continue the effort to communicate with teachers regarding changing situations.
In a related matter, Supt. Shane Owsley announced that IHSA, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Public Health, had relaxed restrictions on high school athletics, permitting basketball teams to resume gymnasium practice sessions, as statewide COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed. Under the current scenario, both the girls and boys high school basketball teams would be able to play one previously scheduled game. Other sports, such as track and cross-country, are able to proceed with their previously approved schedules.
IHSA was expected to meet on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at which time a decision may be forthcoming on whether or not the high school basketball seasons will be extended to allow more competitive games.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT
The board voted to again enter into a contract with American Institute for Research to consult with Gillespie Middle School administration and staff on creating and implementing school improvement plans to improve student scoring on state assessment exams. This will mark the third year the Illinois State Board of Education has mandated school improvement consultation for the middle school. The $25,500 cost of the contract is covered by grant funds.
GMS was identified as a “targeted” school in 2019, primarily because of underperformance among students in the Children with Disabilities subgroup. As a result, ISBE required the district to seek consultation to improve test scores. District schools were closed last spring due to COVID-19 when assessment tests normally would be administered. As a result, the “targeted” designation remained in place, even though GMS Principal Tara Cooper reported to the board in November that academic performance among GMS students has improved.
PERSONNEL
Following a 90-minute executive session to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to extend the contract of Supt. Owsley through the 2025-26 school year. Owsley was hired on a three-year contract last year following the sudden resignation and retirement of former Supt. Joe Tieman. Monday night’s action essentially provides Owsley with a four-year contract. Veteran school superintendents in Illinois eventually “max out” with a five-year contract that is extended annually by one year at the discretion of the school board.
On a motion by Dennis Tiburzi, seconded by Don Dobrino, the board voted to accept “with regrets” the retirement of BenGil Elementary School Nurse Donna Easton, effective at the end of the current school year.
“Mrs. Easton will have been with us 20 years when she retires,” said Board President Mark Hayes. “She is a very caring person and she did a lot for those elementary school students. She will be greatly missed.”
Board members unanimously approved a maternity leave for newly appointed Middle School Principal Cooper, tentatively to start May 15.
Michael Smith, a district bus driver and part-time custodian, was hired as District Transportation Director, effective July 1. Smith will replace long-time Transportation Director Gary Niehaus who plans to retire on June 30.
The board accepted the resignation of Christina Blevins as high school girls basketball coach, effective immediately, and hired Shelsie Timmermeier as an assistant high school volleyball coach.
UPDATES
Supt. Owsley reported to the board that more than 80 teachers and administrators received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine via the Macoupin County Public Health Department on Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Gillespie Civic Center. Recipients are scheduled to receive the second dose on Feb. 13.
Owsley praised MCPHD for its efficiency and organization during the vaccination clinic.
“They vaccinated more than 800 people that day,” he said. “It was unbelievable. I was there from 7:30 to 11:30 and I didn’t see anyone who had to wait in line.”
Owsley also reported that equipment for a grant-funded distance learning program has started to arrive. Installation will begin on March 24.
The program is underwritten by a USDA Rural Development grant for which Blackburn College applied. Through the program, local high schools will be able to share teachers with specific expertise via remote learning.
“It will allow us to expand our academic offerings,” Owsley said.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
The board was informed of a number of Freedom of Information Act requests filed by Gillespie resident Amanda Yeager in connection with an incident involving Yeager on Dec. 21 at BenGil Elementary School.
Yeager filed a request on Dec. 21 for information regarding why students were not participating in in-person instruction instead of remote learning. She filed three requests on Dec. 22 seeking the name of the parent of a student who witnessed the Dec. 21 incident, all existing video/audio of the incident, and student work she had requested. A Jan. 7 request seeks the reason law enforcement was summoned while Yeager was on school property.
In other action, the board accepted the bid of M & M Services to provide fuel for the current year. M & M Services was the only contractor to submit a bid.
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Carlinville – The Macoupin County Agriculture Education (MCAE) Foundation is offering 6 – $1,000 scholarships for the upcoming 2025-26 school year to students wishing to pursue agriculture majors.
The MCAE Foundation offers scholarships to provide encouragement and financial assistance to Macoupin County residents and/or students of Macoupin County schools who display well-balanced attributes of good citizenship, commitment to activities and scholastic ability.
The applicant must be a graduating high school senior or a current college student who plans to attend or is attending an Illinois junior college, college, university or Career Technical Education (CTE) program, and majoring in agriculture.
Applications are available through your high school guidance counselor, high school agriculture instructor or the Macoupin County Farm Bureau® (MCFB®). An electronic copy of the application can be requested by contacting the MCFB® office by telephone or by email at: mcfb@gomadison.com
All applications must be submitted to the MCFB® office by March 27, 2025. Any questions can be directed to the MCFB® office at 217/854-2571.
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FELONIES
Domincqua N. Contreras, 31 of Bunker Hill, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a January 8 incident.
Dillion D. Grether, 25 of South Roxana, is charged with possession of methamphetamines’ (<5 grams) in connection with an October 15 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Cory J. Dodson, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (<$500) in connection with a December 6 incident.
Megan J. Morgan, 33 of Carlinville, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (<$500) in connection with a December 6 incident.
Robert D. Sanson, 34 of Belleville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a December 2 incident.
Christopher R. Lott, 47 of Carlinville, is charged with theft of labor/services/property and criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 7 incident.
Amiel K. Kimsey, 20 of Homewood, is charged with minor in possession of liquor in public and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a January 1 incident.
TRAFFIC
Dawn M. Malone, 57 of Collinsville, is charged with driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, disregarding a stop sign, no turn signal lights, unsafe loading, operating a motor vehicle vehicle with suspended registration, and unregistered/expired registration in connection with a January 4 incident.
Cheri L. Bagwell, 47 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and transporting/carrying alcohol in connection with a January 1 incident.
Siera A. Lewis, 28 of Alton, is charged with driving on a suspended license, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a January 1 incident.
Stephen C. Springman, 37 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a December 17 incident.
Shundrana M. Roy, 29 of Milwaukee, WI, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 21-25 mph above the limit in connection with a January 1 incident.
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Trent Eichen and Summer Melton, both of Carlinville
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Gillespie voters will have an opportunity to vote on whether or not the City of Gillespie can impose a one percent retail sales tax for Public Safety purposes as a result of action taken by the city council Monday night. Council members voted unanimously to approve a resolution prepared by City Attorney Rick Verticchio to put the question on the April 1 consolidated election ballot. The question will be presented in conjunction with the election to choose the mayor, city clerk, city treasurer and three aldermen.
The council discussed the issue of seeking a Public Safety sales tax during the council’s regular meeting on Dec. 9 and during a continued meeting on Dec. 23, at which time there was speculation the city could implement the tax via resolution only without seeking voter approval. The resolution presented Monday night confirms that voters can weigh in at the ballot box on whether or not to impose the tax.
“This is just a resolution so we can have that question on the ballot,” Verticchio told the council.
During the December meetings, Treasurer Dan Fisher said the city agreed to seek the tax during collective bargaining negotiations with the police officers union. The expected $200,000 will help cover additional costs associated with local police joining the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund system for retirement benefits, as well as the cost of adding additional police officers to cover police protection services in satellite communities. Benld Ald. Jerry Saracco told the Benld Council last month that satellite communities also were being asked to consider seeking a Public Safety sales tax to help defray police protection costs, but there appeared to be no interest on the part of the Benld Council to follow Gillespie’s lead.
In addition to the tax question and city officials, the consolidated ballot also will include elections for three Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education members, as well as township officials.
POLICE STATION PROGRESS
On a motion by Ald. Dave Link, seconded by Ald. Dona Rauzi, the council unanimously voted to release $59,199.26 to contractor John Watson, Gillespie, to pay subcontractors for remodeling work at the new Gillespie Police Station at 124 N. Macoupin St., the former location of Gillespie Chiropractic directly across the street from City Hall.
Rauzi reported the city had paid Watson $9,000 to start the remodeling project. The additional money will be used to pay various vendors such as Glass Cutters, Carlinville, and Carpani Computers for installing computer networking and internet systems.
The council also approved a $1,998.85 change order request for the project to cover the cost of reopening exterior stairs that the previous owner had enclosed. The additional money will cover the cost of siding, framing, lighting and replacing stairs that were removed when the entry was enclosed.
In a related matter, the council formally declared as surplus property a desk that the previous owner left behind and to transfer the desk to Watson. Rauzi said the desk had little value and that no other city office had a use for it. She said the options for disposing of it were to either give it to Watson or store it at the Civic Center.
With the same action, the council declared as surplus unused roof trusses which will be offered for sale via sealed bids.
GRANT MANAGER BILL
On Fisher’s recommendation, the council agreed to pay Fuel Growth Group’s bill of $137,550 for billing and consulting services associated with grant management services related to $3 million in federal grants and $1 million in state grants awarded to the city for its downtown streetscape project. Fisher said the agency’s bill is based on an hourly rate totaling 7.5 percent of the $4 million in grant awards.
Verticchio said he plans to contact the vendor regarding its new contract due to concerns he has about some of the contract’s wording. He said the contract calls for an hourly rate up to $257,000 after the first installment of 50 percent is paid.
“I don’t have any great problem with the contract,” Verticchio said, adding that he wants to revise the contract so the city does not owe the balance if the billable hours do not reach $257,000. “In all probability, we will get to that amount, but I want to make sure that if we don’t reach $257,000, we won’t owe them the full amount.”
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No action followed a brief executive session requested by Ald. Frank Barrett, Lake Chairman, to discuss personnel. While the nature of the discussion was not specified, it is likely the closed-door session focussed on replacing Gary Thornhill, long-time Lake Manager who recently resigned to take another job.
In a related matter, Barrett told the council he is getting pricing from Carpani Computers for a new point-of-sale computer and printer for the Lake Store.
“When Gary left, we were using his computer and printer at the store,” Barrett said, explaining the need for new equipment.
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
Council members briefly discussed the status of a new communications tower, construction of which is likely to start this year. The council previously entered into a franchise agreement to lease property for the tower, which will provide services for AT&T cell phone transmissions and other providers. Ald. Wendy Ottersburg said the company revised its plan to add 20 feet to the tower’s height to expand its range.
Water Plant Operator Dave Pickett said he is eager for the tower to be completed as it will allow the Water Department to implement a computer program enabling the Department to control water flow from the pumping station to the Water Plant without having to physically travel to the pumping station.
“It will be a huge savings for us,” Pickett said.
AUDIT ACCEPTANCE
Upon Fisher’s recommendation, the council voted unanimously to accept the city’s official audit. In a departure from past practice, no representative of the auditing firm appeared before the council to present the audit findings. Fisher said the audit showed the city to “be in the black” but did not mention whether or not the auditor made any other findings.
COUNCIL RADIOS
Mayor John Hicks reported that two-way radios previously issued to city council members are unaccounted for and asked aldermen who might still have a radio to return them to City Hall. He said the radios were issued to aid with communications in the event of an emergency.
“Somewhere along the line, some of them disappeared,” he said.
SNOW REMOVAL
Ald. Bob Fritz, answering criticisms voiced on social media, clarified that the city does not have responsibility for removing snow on sidewalks. He said people were upset because city workers did not remove snow on sidewalks in the area of CUSD 7 schools.
“Those are not our responsibility,” Ald. Rauzi noted.
Ald. Landon Pettit said that when he worked for the city, city workers were advised by the city’s insurance provider to leave sidewalks alone.
“The insurance company told us not to do that,” he said. “Once we clean them off, any liability for them is on us.”
CEJA MEETING
Fisher told the council he plans to meet with CEJA grant partners at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall to discuss CEJA expenditures and closing out the grant. The federal Climate and Equitable Jobs Act grant of $1.1 million was awarded last summer. The City of Gillespie retained $70,248.57 with the remainder allotted to various local units of government, including: Village of East Gillespie, $51,654.72; City of Benld, $58,721.50; Village of Eagarville, $50,684.28; City of Staunton, $80,929.61; Gillespie Public Library, $70,248.57; Benld Public Library, $58,721.50; Gillespie Township, $73,458.48; Cahokia Township, $69,004.42; Community Unit School District 7, $98,167.33; North Mac CUSD 34, $98,584.12; Gillespie-Benld Ambulance Service, $133,202.60; Village of Royal Lakes, $51,038.87; City of Bunker Hill, $60,102.51; Village of Mount Clare, $51,878.67; and Brushy Mound Township, $53,919.08.
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is a federal program to mitigate against economic conditions that result as the nation moves away from fossil fuels to embrace renewable, “green” energy sources. The local grant award is related to job losses resulting from the idling of Shay Mine No. 1, formerly Monterey Mine No., 1. Each entity was awarded $50,000 plus additional funds based on “job loss” and “revenue loss” factors.
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