Community News
Tempers flare at Benld City Council meeting
Tax referendum eyed to salvage Police Department
(L-R): Mayor Jim Kelly and Alderman Peyton Bernot (archived photos)
Benld Ald. Peyton Bernot proposed a referendum to increase property taxes as a means to keep the Benld Police Department in place Monday night during the council’s regular meeting, and tempers flared as Mayor Jim Kelly broke a tie vote to pave parking lanes along Central Avenue at a cost of $83,500. Because of the number of visitors attending, the meeting was moved out of council chambers and into the Benld Civic Center.
Noting that the city is prohibited from significantly raising tax rates due to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), Bernot proposed seeking voter approval to raise property taxes for the purpose of Public Safety. Generating $30,000 in additional revenue from Benld’s $8.3 million total equalized assessed valuation would require a tax increase of about 40 cents per $100 of EAV; an increase of about 63 cents would be needed to generate $50,000 in new revenue. According to data compiled by Bernot, a $30,000 increase in the levy would increase the municipal tax liability by about $491.44 for owners of a $90,000 home with an assessed valuation of $30,000. The same owner would see his or her municipal tax bill increase by $563.70 with a $50,000 increase in the levy.
PTELL limits Macoupin County municipalities to increase their total levies by no more than five percent or by the consumer price index, whichever is less. Bernot said the current CPI is 2.1 percent, meaning that next year’s total tax levy is projected at $106,000. At that level, the municipal tax rate would total about $1.25 per $100 of EAV. The rate would go to about $1.64 to generate an additional $30,000 in revenue—an increase of about 30 percent. To realize $50,000 in new revenue, the rate would jump to $1.88—an increase of approximately 50 percent.
[pullquote]“There are two ways of putting a referendum on the ballot,” Bernot said. “One is by a resolution from this council, the other would be by a citizen-driven petition.”[/pullquote]
“There are two ways of putting a referendum on the ballot,” Bernot said. “One is by a resolution from this council, the other would be by a citizen-driven petition.”
During a public meeting last month, Bernot said, someone on the council “made the statement that we have to give the public a chance to voice their opinion before we make a decision. I think this would be a referendum not only for a property tax increase but also whether or not they want to keep the police department.”
City Attorney Rick Verticchio noted that the deadline for getting a referendum on the November ballot has passed.
“It would be on the April ballot,” Bernot acknowledged. If the referendum was approved in April 2019, it would be 2020 before the city would realize new revenue from a property tax hike.
In the meantime, Verticchio suggested the possibility of compiling data on the EAV for Benld homes so residents could contact city hall to confirm how a potential tax increase would affect their tax bills.
“If the Police Department is disbanded, would the taxes stay the same or would they go down?” Ald. Teressa Tucker asked.
“You can always vote to lower your levy,” Verticchio answered.
“If it’s passed, we don’t have to use it,” Bernot added. “The referendum would only give us the authority to increase the levy. We don’t have to levy that amount.”
Bernot segued into a discussion of a possible tax referendum from an agenda item calling for a discussion of cost-cutting measures.
“I asked to put that on the agenda,” Bernot said. “I think it should stay on the agenda until we decide what we’re going to do. I think there should be a monthly discussion on what we can do to cut costs.”
In a related matter, Bernot reported that in the process of researching his tax referendum proposal he discovered that Cornerstone Realty, owned by Tim Loveless, owns a number of rental homes in Benld on which he has claimed an owner-occupied exemption.
“What would be the proper action?” Bernot asked Verticchio. “Benld is losing tens of thousands of dollars.”
“Since you’ve compiled the information, why don’t you get me a list,” Verticchio advised. “I’ll take it to the Supervisor of Assessments and him we want those stricken” from the list of owner-occupied properties.
Also related to the Police Department, the council voted unanimously to accept a resignation, effective July 24, from Benld Police Department Sgt. Jared Carlen. In his letter to the council, Carlen said he was resigning for “personal reasons that I believe limit my ability to fulfill my duties.”
TEMPERS FLARE OVER PARKING LANE ISSUE
Bernot and Mayor Kelly angrily confronted each other in the lead-up to a vote on whether or not the city should spend $83,500 to resurface parking lanes on Central Avenue when the Illinois Department of Transportation repaves the Illinois Route 138 alignment through the downtown area of the city. Ultimately, Kelly broke a tie vote to approve the measure contingent upon IDOT agreeing to spread out repayment for three years. The argument was intense enough to prompt Verticchio to advise the Mayor that he would be entitled to call for a vote to eject Bernot from the meeting. The confrontation focused on whether or not the council reached a consensus last month when Kelly presented details of the project.
Kelly reported that IDOT had opened bids for the project and that the city’s share of the cost would be $83,500 if it chooses to participate. He said IDOT wanted the city’s response within a week. Options open to the city were to do nothing, repave parking lanes for the entire length of the street or chose specific sections to repave at a lower cost.
“The letter I sent to the gentleman said that the feedback I got from the council was that we would do it all if we could stretch it out over three years because it would be a hardship for us to pay it all in one year,” Kelly said. He said IDOT has not responded to his request to pay the city’s portion over three years. He asked for a motion authorizing him to tell IDOT that the city would proceed with the project but only if IDOT would accept payments over a three-year period. The expenditure would come from the city’s Motor Fuel Tax coffers.
“Who did you get direction from on the council?” Bernot demanded. “Exactly who? I never said this. I don’t think Brian (Frensko) or (Lance) Cooper said this!”
“I read the letter and I said we had to give them an answer,” Kelly said, recalling last month’s meeting when the issue was first presented. “The consensus I got from the council was that we would do the whole thing if the payments could be spread out over three years.” He said, however, IDOT had not yet answered his request to accept a payment schedule.
Ald. Teressa Tucker concurred with Kelly’s recollection, but Bernot countered: “I would have remembered $83,000.”
“I was sitting right there, Peyton,” Tucker said, but Bernot continued to insist the council gave Kelly no direction on the issue.
“Fine!” said Kelly, rapping his gavel on the table. “We’ll vote on this right now. I’m not going to fight this.”
“It’s $83,000!” Bernot shot back. “You just had a meeting last month to decide the fate of the Benld Police Department!”
Bernot disputed Kelly’s assertion that the matter was on the agenda last month. City Clerk Terri Koyne confirmed that while the issue was not a formal agenda item, it was discussed under the “Correspondence” section of the agenda.
“No decision was made and you just said it was the consensus of the council like it was a done deal,” Bernot argued.
“I don’t care one way or another what we do,” Kelly responded. “But we need to stop bickering and make a decision.”
“Do the parking lanes need to be done?” Bernot asked.
Kelly responded that IDOT gave the city three options, one of which was resurfacing the parking lanes for the entire length of the street. “My understanding was that we would go with the option if we could pay our portion over three years,” Kelly said, adding that IDOT had not yet answered that question.
“So you want us to vote on something without a piece of information?” Bernot argued.
Kelly explained again that he was looking for a motion to participate in the project contingent upon IDOT accepting payments over three years. “If we don’t get the three years, we’ll do something else,” Kelly said.
“Can we just table this until we get an answer (from IDOT)?” asked Ald. Cooper.
“They wanted a response two weeks ago,” Kelly stated.
Breaking the deadlock, Ald. Jim Tilashalski moved to accept the proposal contingent upon IDOT agreeing to a three-year payment plan. Ald. Mickey Robinson seconded. Brought to a vote, Ald. Robinson, Tilashalski and Tucker voted “yes,” and Ald. Frensko and Cooper voted “no.”
“I’m not spending $83,000 on parking lanes,” Bernot said when his name was called. “I don’t think the parking lanes are that bad.”
“How do you vote?” Kelly demanded.
“No,” Bernot said. “My vote is ’no’!”
“It’s three to three,” Kelly announced. “I vote ‘yes’.”
“That’s a slap in the face of the voters and you know it!” Bernot shouted, red-faced.
“What voters?” Kelly shot back.
“The voters that stood in this room a month ago!” Bernot countered.
“Don’t raise your voice to me!” Kelly warned.
“I’m not raising my voice,” Bernot came back. “You want me to raise my voice? I’ll raise my voice.”
The outburst prompted City Attorney Verticchio to advise the mayor that he has “the power to hold council members to a standard of decorum. If a council member does not exercise proper decorum, you can call for a vote to have him or her removed.”
“I vote ‘yes’,” Tucker quipped, but Kelly advised he was not asking for such a vote. Kelly told the BenGil Post that Bernot apologized to him after the meeting.
UNION REQUEST REJECTED
By a vote of 4-2, the council rejected the request of a union representative who wanted to standardize employee anniversary dates as Jan. 1.
“My opinion, I don’t feel it’s good to re-open a union contract when we are going to start renegotiating,” Mayor Kelly said. The current contract expires in March and Kelly said the city would reopen negotiations in January. “To me, you never reopen a contract unless it’s going to help both sides,” he said. “I don’t see that this will.”
Ald. Bernot, however, said he had drafted a memorandum of understanding between the city and the union, which if approved, would implement the change. He asked Verticchio for a legal opinion on the memorandum.
“I don’t have a problem with it,” Verticchio said. But he noted that two employees already were allowed to change their anniversary dates to Jan. 1, one of whom has since left city employment. In those cases, accrued vacation time was pro-rated for the year prior to the change. “Is there anything wrong with it legally? No,” Verticchio commented. “But this doesn’t appear to resolve that issue.”
“I think the time to rectify this would be when the new contract comes up,” Tilashalski commented.
Bernot then moved to approve the memorandum.
“Are we going to pro-rate vacation time?” asked Koyne.
“This says we will give everybody vacation time to Jan. 1 regardless of when they started,” Kelly observed. “I’ve heard a motion, I have not heard a second.”
Ald. Frensko offered a second to bring the matter to a vote. Tucker, Tilashalski, Cooper and Robinson all voted “no.” Bernot and Frensko cast the only two affirmative votes.
CITY PROPERTIES
On a motion by Bernot, seconded by Tilashalski, the council voted to accept a bid of $3,900 to demolish the so-called Gillette Property in the 100 block of South Fourth Street and remove the debris. One other bid of $3,984 was received from Mike Ranger.
No bids were received from potential buyers for city-owned properties at 711 Rose Street and 416 South Main Street.
Since neither property was sold, Bernot asked Verticchio who is responsible for property taxes on the parcels. If the parcels had been sold, Verticchio said, the city would be responsible for a pro-rated share of the taxes with the buyers responsible for the remainder. “If you’re going to hold onto them, you can have the property taxes removed for future years because they are city-owned property,” he said. “Since you attempted to sell it by offering it for bid, you can contract privately is someone wants to make us a private offer.”
“Like a neighbor or something?” Bernot asked.
“Yes,” said Verticchio, “but right now we need to file the paperwork with the Department of Revenue” to exempt the properties from property taxes.
Verticchio also reported that an evidentiary hearing has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Sept. 5, regarding the Gima Property in the 100 block of South Fourth Street. He said he would need a representative from the city council to testify about the city’s contention that the property is a public nuisance.
BUSINESS LICENSES
The council approved business licenses for Patrick Marsh, who plans to open Custom Classics LLC at 501 East Central Avenue, and Anthony Lubrant, who plans to open Lubrant Studio at 210 East Central Avenue. Marsh told the council that he plans to continue to offer mechanical and maintenance services in addition to custom bodywork and automotive painting at his business.
LIBRARY BOARD CHANGES
The council accepted the resignation of Carol Wright from the Benld Public Library Board of Trustees and approved the mayor’s appointment of Don Chapman to fill the vacancy.
TRUNK OR TREAT
The council gave permission to close the first block of South Main Street from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Oct. 28, for a Trunk or Treat event sponsored by the Benld Public Library. This will be the fourth year for the event. Previous year’s events have seen upward of 300 youngsters participating.
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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.
