Community News
Village of Wilsonville again seeking treasurer
Trustee John Veres (left) and President Annetta Veres (right). Archived photo
Barely two months after the April 4 Consolidated Election, the Village of Wilsonville is looking for a new Village Treasurer.
[pullquote]This marks the second time in less than a year that the treasurer’s office has been vacant in Wilsonville. [/pullquote]
Wilsonville trustees voted Monday night during the board’s regular monthly meeting to accept applications for the position through 5 p.m., Monday, June 26. Applications are expected to be reviewed by the board during an All Committee meeting June 26, and Village President Annetta Veres is expected to make an appointment during the board’s July meeting on Monday, July 3.
The action follows the unexpected resignation of former Treasurer Julie Jackson, who was elected to the position during the April election. This marks the second time in less than a year that the treasurer’s office has been vacant in Wilsonville. Jackson was appointed to the post in January after Tracey Wilhoit, who resigned Dec. 15, 2016, after serving as Treasurer for approximately three years. President Veres said Jackson submitted her resignation on May 14, citing personal reasons related to her current employment.
Since Jackson’s resignation, President Veres said she had taken on many of the Treasurer’s duties, including preparing and delivering materials for the village’s annual audit.
“It’s normally an elected position,” President Veres said, “but since there’s been a resignation, we can go ahead and appoint a treasurer.”
Since less than half of Jackson’s elected term has been served, the new appointee presumably will serve only until the next Consolidated Election in 2018 in lieu of a full four-year term.
POLICE ADMINISTRATOR
Trustees voted unanimously to hire Derek Spudich, Staunton, as a Police Administrator at a wage rate of $13 per hour. Under terms of the motion, Spudich is limited to working no more than 35 hours per week but Trustee John Veres said that realistically Spudich probably will be working only two to four hours a month.
“He may be working a little more than that in the beginning to get things set up,” Veres said.
The Police Administrator position was created on the recommendation of Wilsonville Police Chief Wayne Watkins. Job duties are primarily limited to reviewing police reports and preparing reports for submission to the Macoupin County State’s Attorney or Circuit Court when cases go to court for prosecution.
Also in the area of personnel, the board voted unanimously to hire Phillip Percy as a temporary part-time maintenance worker for the summer at a wage of $9 per hour with the numbers of hours he can work restricted to no more than 35 per week. In addition to mowing and other responsibilities, one of Percy’s first duties will be to assist with installing cold patch to repair potholes in village streets.
Both personnel issues apparently were among the items under discussion during a 30-minute executive session called earlier in the meeting to discuss personnel and litigation.
Earlier in the meeting, Watkins addressed the board about the possibility of using two vacant garage bays to impound vehicles when local officers make an uninsured vehicle arrest or other arrests for offenses that require impoundment. The issue was discussed earlier as a means of saving money. Past practice has been to have impounded vehicles sent to Quality Motors in Gillespie for holding. Some trustees, however, expressed reservations about the village “getting stuck” with junk cars if the owners failed to come back to redeem them.
“We have two empty bays,” Watkins said. “If those bays are empty, we could use them to impound vehicles and charge them $35 for an impoundment fee. If the bays are full, I’ll send them to Quality Motors so we don’t have cars sitting around outside.”
Trustee David Day worried about the village ending up with unwanted vehicles.
“If they don’t have insurance, it’s because it’s not worth insuring,” Day said. “We could get stuck with a junk car.”
“I’ll make that determination,” Watkins replied. “If it’s a $500 car, I’ll call Quality to come get it.”
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE ADOPTED
On a motion by Trustee Day, seconded by Trustee Veres, the board voted unanimously to adopt an extensive Property Maintenance Code and make the code a part of the village ordinance book. President Veres and Village Clerk Tena Cerrantano said some provisions of the code already are covered in other areas of the ordinance book, but the new code brings all those provisions under one location in the book. Some provisions of the new code, which covers standards for occupancy, property owner responsibilities and other issues, are new.
President Veres said the new provisions will apply to new construction and remodeling. Persons who want to review the code may do so at the village hall.
Veres also said the Police Chief makes a point of meeting new residents and new property owners coming into the village to make sure they are aware of provisions in the property maintenance code.
COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS
On a motion by Trustee Roland Rife, seconded by Trustee Veres, the board voted unanimously to accept a bid of $500 from HHH Construction, Gillespie, to install stalls in the women’s restroom of the Community Center, and a bid of $3,000, also from HHH Constrruction, install FRP material on remaining masonry walls. Veres said the white FRP surface will be easier to clean than masonry walls—an important consideration since the kitchen is now rated as a commercial kitchen to serve meals for the summer lunch program.
Also related to bonging Community Center improvements, the board voted to surplus a refrigerator, stove, and toilets and sink that have been replaced as part of the improvement program.
“The reason we’re surplussing the stove is because some of the money the WCO made from their mouse races was used to buy a new stove,” President Veres said. She thanked Wilsonville Community Outreach for their donation, noting that the oven on the old stove did not heat properly.
FOURTH OF JULY
Board members spent several minutes discussing the village’s upcoming Fourth of July celebration. Trustee Veres outlined which streets will be closed for the event and told trustees that the village does not currently have enough barricades to block all of the streets.
“We used snow fencing last year and it just didn’t work out,” he said. “It sagged in the middle.”
[pullquote]I think the Fireworks Fund is the highest it’s ever been.[/pullquote]
He said he would look into the possibility of borrowing extra barricades from surrounding municipalities in lieu of buying new ones.
President Veres said the City of Benld paid the village $300 for surplus police car equipment which is being deposited into the Fireworks Fund.
“I think the Fireworks Fund is the highest it’s ever been,” she said.
DAMAGE FROM LIFT STATION FAILURE
Village President Veres reported that she is awaiting final bills before submitting a claim to the village’s insurer for damage caused to a private residence as a result of a lift station failure. She said she had a bill of $2,800 from ServPro for clean-up services but is awaiting bills from Quality Flooring and R.P. Lumber.
“When I have those, I will turn in all that to our insurance,” she said.
In the meantime, Trustee Veres said, village engineers are working on a plan to update the failed lift station with two pumps instead of one, along with new switches. He said the village is awaiting permits from IEPA to proceed with work on renovating the Liberty Street Lift Station which will double the station’s capacity. “We can’t move forward until those permits are approved,” he said. No permits are needed for planned work on the North Stemme Lift Station which will involve replacing two existing pumps without increasing capacity. Design work is being done for improvements to the South Stemme Lift Station. Veres said the South Stemme station suffers from poor design. “If the float malfunctions, nothing comes on,” he said, meaning back-up pumps and an alarm system will not function.
The board also briefly discussed an ongoing drainage issue in front of the Ron Manalia home on Center Street. Manalia has complained about storm water crossing the street from the south and running across his property. According to Manalia, storm water used to drain down the hill on the south side of Center Street. Trustee Veres said, however, there is a four-foot rise on the south side of the street that prevents water from continuing down the slope.
“It would take 300 feet of 12-inch pipe to force the drainage to the south side,” he said.
He said a ravine on the north side of the street, which would have provided natural drainage in the past, has been filled.
“I think that’s a huge expense for the village for a problem that has been there since the house has been there,” President Veres commented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Debbie Turrin again appeared before the board about the possibility of vacating a non-existent street that is platted on her property at the end of Short Street. She appeared last month about the issue, saying she would like to someday build on the property.
Trustee Veres said the village has no problem with vacating the street but said the village needs to maintain an easement for a sewer line that crosses the property.
“The only problem we have is that we have a sewer line crossing that area,” he said. “I understand that you want to build. That would be the only stipulation—you wouldn’t be able to build right over that line.”
Finding and marking the line could be problematic, however. The PVC pipe is not embedded with metal wire so it cannot be located with a metal detector. Veres said the only way to approximate the location of the line is to shoot a transit between manholes at opposite sides of the property. Trees and brush on the property could interfere with that process.
President Veres said the village will attempt to locate the line to the best of its ability and mark the easement for Turrin.
Trustee Veres said he will talk to the Police Department about increasing patrols on Roosevelt and School streets after Violet VanDee complained about vehicles speeding in the area during daylight hours.
“We still have speeders,” she said. “Is there any way we can get some speed bumps or something?”
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Approved a prevailing wage ordinance that obligates the village to use contractors who pay their employees the prevailing wage as determined by the Department of Labor. Annual approval of the ordinance is required by law.
- Agreed to order “no parking” signs that will restrict parking on one side of the park from 5 to 9 p.m. from July through October when the park is being used but the Mustang youth football program and Little League program. “They just need to be ordered,” Trustee Veres said, noting that the purchase was previously approved by the board.
- Agreed to buy a mini-refrigerator with the cost not to exceed $125 for use by Maintenance Department workers. President Veres said a small refrigerator currently used by the Department failed. She recommended placing the unit inside city hall. Keeping it in a cooler environment, she said, should be “easier on it.”
- Approved a measure to have city workers mow along Illinois Route 138 within the city limits, excluding areas that would be hazardous to mow. New mowing guidelines established by IDOT resulted in only partial mowing of the area. Trustee Rife recommended the measure to improve the appearance of the right-of-way through town.
- Authorized President Veres to get bids to replace lighting in the Village Hall. One of the two light fixtures in the meeting room failed and Monday night’s meeting was conducted with light from only one fixture.
- Authorized the purchase of a new time clock for employees at a cost not to exceed $300. President Veres said the current time clock has been malfunctioning by shorting employees on the number of hours they’ve worked. The cost of the purchase will come from the General Fund.
- Renewed membership in the Illinois Rural Water Association at a cost of $302.72.
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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.
