Community News
Skeans and Tieman update Rotary on new school
Superintendent Skeans and Assistant Superintendent Tieman pose next to the posters that draw out the entrance of the building and the “Commons”.
Superintendent Paul Skeans and Assistant Superintendent Joe Tieman met with the Rotary once more on August 4 to speak about the developing BenGil Elementary School. Both administrators are familiar with the Rotary and their seats were still warm from last time, so it took them no time at all to get started.
Skeans bragged that the entire CUSD #7 campus will be tied into the same internet network. “We are going to be as fast as anyone else can be or faster,” he highlighted. He did add that the district will be tying in with all the state and federal government websites to do research on. The district will be very up-to-date with the latest technology on the market.
The big question was when is the school going to open. According to Skeans, the district is looking at late spring or early summer 2013. “It is a green building,” he boasted. The new elementary building is one of the first in the area that is a LEED building. Meaning it is Leading Environmental Education Design. Any new building in Illinois has to have at least a silver rating, but the BenGil Elementary will be the next category higher: gold.
The building will incorporate geothermal heat and air which is captured from the 100 plus wells on the site. The new elementary school will also have a wind turbine to capture energy that will be stored on the grid when it is not being consumed. On top of all of that, the school will have photovoltaic cells to capture energy from the sun.
According to Skeans, the school will save up to 15% from the photovoltaic cells and the wind turbine combined. The district pays more for geothermal energy up front, but will be looking for a payback in 5-7 years. “After that, the amount of money we pay will be reduced out of the power bill.” Skeans added: “Which is significant.”
“In reality, it will be a demonstration project from schools all over the state to visit to see what we have incorporated in the building.” Skeans added: “I think it is going to be an exceptional project for a lot of people to look at.”
Some of the public is concerned about a safe way to the new school as some of the streets heading toward the school are lacking sidewalks. Skeans explained that the school will be connected to the other campus buildings by the new sidewalks just installed.
School administrators have talked to the City about opening Oak Street up, but that is out of the district’s hands Skeans explained. Oak Street does not run all the way through because of the canal. “It is something we can do, but we do not have the authority to do that,” he added.
Skeans wanted to share that the district is still very interested in developing safe routes to school and the planning for that is underway already. “We have talked to the City and that is where that is right now,” he closed.
As for the building that stands in Benld, it will be torn down soon. Skeans explained that the district has been taking stuff out of that building for three years and has been “salvaging” everything they can. “We have used it for upgrades in the high school, middle school, freezers, kitchen appliances, cabinets, windows, and all kinds of different things.”
There is not much in the building that the district personally can use in the new or old buildings. At the next school board meeting, the board will be approving an Inter-Governmental Agreement with the Department of Natural Resources. That will bring about $750,000 of grant money for demolition of the building. “It will be demolished, it has been deemed unsafe.”
The district will then put the demolition out for bid. In that bid, will be standards the company has to comply with. “They have to recycle the asphalt, the brick, the concrete, and they have to grind it up and reuse it. It has to deposed of within a certain distance to a landfill.” Once the bid is awarded, the district no longer owns the building, just the land.
Skeans explained the district plans to restore the site to its’ original condition and could possibly be used as soccer fields or practice fields. “There are plans for it,” he closed.
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SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time and part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2025 semester. Part-time students are enrolled in six to 11 credit hours while full-time students are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.
Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and earned President’s list honors. Students who earned between a GPA of 3.5-3.99 earned Vice President’s list honors. The excerpt below features Macoupin County students.
FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Bunker Hill – Logan R. Helling
Carlinville – Reid P. Evans*, Brody M. Reif
Gillespie – Maris E. Brill, Austin L. Grace*
Girard – Max Allen*, Katie Angulo*, Mick B. Downs*, Josh Hagerman, Reed Lewis, Michael S. Prose*
Mount Olive – Jakobb E. Brown*, Georgia G. Kampwerth
Palmyra – Alexis R. Bowman*
Staunton – Paige N. Horstmeyer*, Michael J. Matesa*, Lauren R. Mathis, Brandon Mo
Virden – Zorah E. Austin*, Michaeh N. Barnhouse*, Maddie Carver, Jackson R. Pierce*, Morgan C. Snell*, Grant M. Strickler, Courtney N. Ulinski*
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Benld – Christopher Young*
Carlinville – Alex C. Nance*, Jerry D. Nance Jr.*
Gillespie – Jessica L. Tiek*
Girard – Lindsey J. Ferguson*, Jackson R. Henke*, Natalie Moriconi*
Mount Olive – Kara A. Harmon*, Justin D. O’Neill*, Hayden Wylder*
Virden – Candace L. Carlile*, Lillian M. Carlile*, Natalie M. Little*, Josie P. Patterson, Luciano Pierce*
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The 2:18 Missions Team, a dedicated local outreach group based in Gillespie, is excited to announce its upcoming cookout fundraiser to support its community initiatives. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21st, at Randy’s Market in Benld.
From approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., community members are invited to enjoy delicious homemade food while supporting a worthy cause. The menu will feature pork chops, pork burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing water — perfect for a summer day of good food and fellowship.
“All proceeds from this event will go directly toward our mission efforts to serve and uplift our community,” said a spokesperson for 2:18 Missions Team. “We’re grateful for the support of our neighbors and look forward to seeing everyone there!”
Come out to Randy’s Market in Benld on June 21st to enjoy a tasty meal, support local endeavors, and connect with others in the community.
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CARLINVILLE, IL – On June 14th, concerned citizens are invited to join a coalition of grassroots organizations to nonviolently protest in front of the Macoupin County Courthouse at 201 E. Main St. in Carlinville, IL, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. This protest is one of over 1,400 protests taking place nationwide with millions of participants as part of the NO KINGS National Day of Action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.
Trump’s unconstitutional actions include suppressing free speech, detaining people for their political positions, deporting American citizens, defying the courts, and much more – all while enriching himself and his billionaire allies.
“Now Donald Trump is planning a military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14th. This display of might is intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman, while paying for it with taxpayer dollars.”, said Kelley Hatlee, a volunteer organizer with the Macoupin County 50501and Indivisible movements. “Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of attention, the NO KINGS nationwide protests make action everywhere else the story of America on June 14th: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”, said Hatlee.
“We’re showing up together as neighbors, friends, and fellow community members to say NO to authoritarianism and yes to a government that serves everyone,” said Chelsa Pruden, a volunteer organizer with Macoupin PRIDE and Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible. “We’re tired of watching powerful people trample our rights and our voices. This protest is about reminding everyone, especially those in power, that real strength comes from the people.”
Participants are encouraged to make protest signs that convey their personal messages. Packaged, nonperishable food items will be accepted for donation to local food pantries to help low-income families who will be hit hardest by Trump’s policies.
The NO KINGS protest in Carlinville is organized by a volunteer coalition of the Macoupin PRIDE and the Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible grassroots movements. The coalition has created a Facebook page titled “Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible” for concerned citizens to follow.
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