Community News
Wilsonville board clarifies noise ordinance, eyes lift station update
The board heard a presentation from CUSD 7 Supt. Tieman regarding the School Facilities Sales Tax referendum that will be voted on during the March 15 primary election. Tieman said the tax, if approved, will be imposed only on items that already are subject to sales tax.
Members of the Wilsonville Village Board of Trustees voted Monday night to amend the village’s noise ordinance with an eye toward making it easier for Ordinance Officer Bob Rieman to enforce. Board members also discussed a proposed project to update the Liberty Street lift station, the possibility of replacing the village’s master water meter and proposed Community Center updates, and heard a presentation from Community Unit School District 7 Supt. Joe Tieman regarding the upcoming School Facilities Sales Tax referendum.
The board spent several minutes crafting revisions to the noise ordinance, ultimately opting to eliminate a provision establishing a time frame when excessive noise is banned and establishing a provision for village-issued permits to allow night-time parties and other outdoor special events. The former ordinance banned excessive noise such as loud music between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. That provision has made it difficult to cite residents for excessive noise during the daytime.
“One of the problems is the time frame,” Village President Annetta Veres said. “It makes it sound like they can make as much noise as they want at other times of the day.”
[pullquote]The former ordinance banned excessive noise such as loud music between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. That provision has made it difficult to cite residents for excessive noise during the daytime.[/pullquote]”I’ve had them tell me, ‘Hey, we’ve got a copy of the ordinance; we can be as loud as we want to be from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.’,” Rieman told the board.
Citing complaints about a car driving around the village during the day while playing loud music, the board also amended the ordinance to include noise coming from vehicles as well as residential properties.
The amended ordinance now mandates “no Wilsonville resident shall permit undue, excessive noise to be emitted from their residence or vehicle.” Exceptions to the ordinance include outdoor parties or other outdoor special events that are issued a permit at the discretion of the board. Permits will be considered by the board only during the board’s regular monthly meetings on the first Monday of each month, meaning that persons planning a party or event must make their plans known to the city government up to a month in advance. Even with a permit, outdoor events must cease activities that create noise prior to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and by midnight on Friday and Saturday. The permits will be issued free of charge.
Board members took no action to revise a related ordinance regarding breaches of the peace. That ordinance bans a number of disruptive activities, including noise that can be heard within 75 feet of the source. Trustee John Veres said the noise definition in that ordinance could create problems because it leaves the “excessive noise” definition open to interpretation. Lawn mowers or chainsaws, he noted, can be heard at distances greater than 75 feet, but would not be considered excessive noise by most people.
LIBERTY STREET LIFT STATION
Board members briefly discussed but took no action on a proposal to upgrade the undersized Liberty Street lift station which has been prone to clogging, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. Board President Veres and Trustee Veres presented information from Rodney Potts, city engineer, what may be needed to bring the lift station to a level of performance capable of handling the demands put on it. Upgrading the facility’s five horsepower grinder pumps to 7.5 horsepower would cost about $26,000; upgrading to two 12.5 horsepower pumps would cost an estimated $39,000. A control panel for the new pumps would cost an estimated $10,000. In addition, raising the height of three manholes associated with the lift station is expected to run about $750 each, plus another $2,500 for lining all three manholes.
“He (Potts) wants to do a flow and pressure check,” Trustee Veres said. “That’s the first thing we need to do to find out what we have.”
Initiating the project will depend upon the Village successfully applying for grant money to help subsidize the cost.
“This gives you a start of what we are thing money-wise,” President Veres said.
Trustee Veres also reported he is obtaining pricing for a couple of different options to replace the village’s master water meter that monitors the amount of water delivered to the municipality from the Gillespie Water Department. The current meter recently was determined to be defective, causing the village to be charged for more than 10 percent over the amount of water it actually is getting.
Veres said the master meter may be failing because of a design flaw. The meter apparently is located in the middle of a three-inch bypass off of the village’s six-inch water main. Veres said the meter should have been located in the six-inch main and that the bypass exists primarily to divert water flow in the event the main valve requires maintenance. The turbulance created from constricting the water flow into a three-inch line, he said, appears to have damaged the meter and that a new meter is likely to be damaged over time if it is not relocated to the main line.
“It’s not designed right,which is probably part of what caused this meter to fail,” he said. “It’s going to cost us money to redo this, but if we replace this meter without redoing it, it’s going to damage it again.” He said he would meet with city engineers to explore options for relocating the meter and minimizing the potential for future damage.
The board deferred action on the question of whether to repair or replace a defective five-horsepower pump taken out of the Liberty Street lift station. President Veres said the pump currently is at Flo Systems, Inc., Troy. Flo Systems provided an estimate of $2,700 to repair the pump or $4,000 to replace it.
“We need to decide whether we want to fix it or replace it,” she said.
Further complicating the issue, a company from Litchfield that has previously done work for the city has indicated it could provide a reconditioned pump for $1,900.
“We need to find out what our insurance will cover,” said Trustee Veres.
“We need to get more information,” President Veres agreed.
COMMUNITY CENTER
Trustees spent several minutes discussing ongoing work to renovate the Community Center.
On a motion by Trustee Veres, seconded by Dino Fillipini, the board accepted a quote of $625 from Turney Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Plumbing, Bunker Hill, to jet a drain under the kitchen area and re-examine the drain with a camera. The company previously attempted to monitor the drain but encountered standing water that they could not get the camera through. They recommended jetting the drain and taking another look to determine what repairs might be needed.
Veres reported he had contacted three companies to bid on electrical work needed in the kitchen. The work will not be scheduled until after the primary election and the city Easter egg hunt, but Veres said a special meeting might be required to take action on the bids to coordinate the electrical work with the plumbing work.
Also on a motion by Veres, seconded by David Day, the board agreed to buy a rolling storage cart at a cost of $209 from Sam’s Clubs for the Thursday Senior Citizens group to use for storing materials while the renovation work is underway.
“I think we ought to buy it for them,” Veres said. “If they want to have a fundraiser and pay us back later, they can. I’m not worried about the seniors.”
Veres also reported that Steve Pierce recently donated 400 square feet of vinyl industrial flooring for the kitchen, along with the labor for installing it.
PART-TIME POLICE OFFICER
It was reported that the village has received resumes from two applicants interested in filling a part-time police officer position the village plans to fill in April or May. At least one of the applicants currently works as a part-time officer in nearby municipalities. While Wilsonville recently hired a part-time ordinance enforcement officer, the village currently has no police officer on duty.
GOLF CARTS
President Veres asked board members to be thinking about the possibility of a new ordinance governing the use of golf carts in the village, with possible action to be taken at the board’s next regular meeting. The village currently has no ordinance on golf carts, although at least one resident is using one for routine transportation within the corporate limits. Veres said she obtained sample ordinances from Dorchester and Worden, both of which control the use of golf carts in their villages. The Worden ordinance, she said, requires a $50 annual permit fee, specifies required equipment, such as seat belts, and mandates an annual inspection of the machines by the local police department.
SPEED LIMIT SIGNS
Responding to a citizens request, the board agreed to install two 20 mile-per-hour speed limit signs on School Street. The resident reported that drivers using the street routinely are driving at speeds greater than 20 miles per hour.
The board also took formal action to require trash pick-up on the street rather than in alleys. President Veres said she received reports that some of the large sanitation trucks were picking up in the alleys, potentially causing damage to the alleyways. The council discussed the issue during a previous special meeting and had even posted the new rule. Monday night’s action formalized the action to require street-side pick-up throughout the village.
Trustee Veres suggested the board might also want to consider a requirement regarding the amount of time trash cans be left on the street for trash pick-up.
President Veres appointed Trustee Day to coordinate the creation of a display on the 811 JULIE program that advises persons planning to excavate on the location of underground utilities. Veres said that by putting up a display, the village will receive a donation of $100. The village also plans to place JULIE logos on its city maintenance truck.
Veres also reported that the village has been billed an additional $1,300, in addition to $4,000 already paid, for preparation of the annual audit of Fleming & Tawfall CPAs. Veres said she got the company to remove a $78 interest and service fee because the village had not received a second bill after paying the first installment.
TAX REFERENDUM
Early in the meeting, the board heard a presentation from CUSD 7 Supt. Tieman regarding the School Facilities Sales Tax referendum that will be voted on during the March 15 primary election. Tieman said the tax, if approved, will be imposed only on items that already are subject to sales tax.
“What you already pay sales tax on, you would pay an additional one percent,” he said. “If it’s not taxed now, this measure doesn’t add anything.”
[pullquote]If it’s not taxed now, this measure doesn’t add anything.[/pullquote]The tax would generate an estimated $370,000 annually for the school district, he said. The money can be used only for facilities and cannot be directly used for salaries or other expenses. Tieman noted the school board has voted to devote 20 percent of the new revenue to paying down $11 million in bond debt the district incurred for school construction.
“Some people believe a sales tax is a much more fair tax than a property tax,” Tieman said.
Responding to a question from Trustee Veres, Tieman reported that the school district is working a plan to reduce deficit spending by imposing up to $700,000 in budget cuts next year.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Authorized expenditure of $125 from the General Fund for a city-sponsored Easter egg hunt at 3 p.m., Saturday, March 19.
- Gave permission for the Wilsonville Community Organization to host an Art Day on April 16.
- Donated $70 from the General Fund to the Gillespie High School yearbook.
- Agreed to pay $50 in annual dues to continue membership in the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce.
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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.
