Community News
Gillespie Council honors retiring police officer
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to approve a proclamation recognizing Wade Hendricks, who recently retired from the Gillespie Police Department after more than 30 years of service in law enforcement.
Additionally, the council continued its debate regarding a possible city-wide trash hauling program, approved a payment of more than $300,000 for work completed on the ongoing Streetscape project, and approved police protection contracts with two nearby communities.
Hendricks was recognized for his law enforcement service with the City of Benld, City of Gillespie and Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department. Most recently, he served several years as a Resource Officer assigned to Community Unit School District 7. The proclamation acknowledges and thanks Hendricks for his “tireless service” as he retires from his “many-faceted involvement in law enforcement.”
In addition to his law enforcement career, the proclamation recognized Hendricks for volunteering “his time to cause his communities . . . to be better places to live and raise our families.” Focusing on his most recent position, the proclamation states that Hendricks’ work as a Resource Officer has “earned the respect of city officials (and) school officials, and the admiration of parents and students for his dedication and willingness to provide both protection and guidance to this community’s most valuable asset, being our youth.”
“My own kids hate to see you leave the school,” Mayor Landon Pettit told Hendricks. “I thought you were exactly what we needed in a Resource Officer.”
TRASH HAULING DEBATE
Ald. Dona Rauzi distributed an informal proposal from a local waste hauler to implement a city-wide waste hauling program similar to a program in place in Benld. The proposed plan would include at least one city-wide clean-up day, standardize pick-up rates city-wide, and allow two waste haulers to continue operating in the city. City Attorney Rick Verticchio, however, warned the proposal could not be considered by the council until after the vendor has provided a formal proposal in response to a Request for Proposals.
“To stay within the legal process, he would have to put this in a proposal for us to consider,” Verticchio said. It would be improper for the city consider the proposal until after the deadline for submitting proposals has passed in January. “In theory there will be two proposals, but there could be 10,” Verticchio said
Resident Loren Scheller approached the council to voice objection to a city-wide trash hauling program.
“What do you do when you have three elderly people using the same trash can?” Scheller asked. Additionally, he asked whether or not a resident could choose to use a different trash hauler if the city enters into a contract with a single vendor. Further, he objected to “members of this community getting something shoved down their throats” with no input from the public.
“None of this is set in stone,” Mayor Pettit said. “This is not a fly by night kind of thing. This is months in the future.”
Once vendors have responded to the the Request for Proposals, Pettit said, the council will review the proposals and hold a community forum for public input before making a final decision.
“We may decide to go in a completely different direction,” Pettit said. In that case, the city will contact vendors “and say, ‘This is what we want to do,’ and ask them to submit bids.”
Pettit noted that he personally opposes adding trash hauling to city water bills.
“I think there are other ways to do it, and I can’t see shutting off someone’s water because they didn’t pay their trash bill,” he said. “What works for Benld may not work for Gillespie, as we have seen before.”
STREETSCAPE PROJECT
On a motion by Ald. Rauzi, seconded by Ald. Frank Barrett, the council approved payment of a third installment in the amount of $339,930.77 to Stutz Excavating for work completed on the downtown Streetscape improvement project. The $4 million project is underwritten with a $4 million federal Rural Development grant.
In a related matter, the council agreed to make Chestnut Street a one-way street for one block both east and west off of Macoupin Street.
Ethan Martin, overseeing the project on behalf of the city, reported that he is hoping to get a partial shipment of streetlights soon “so we can at least get some lights up” on Macoupin Street. There currently are no streetlights on Macoupin Street. Mayor Pettit noted that installing new streetlights is being pushed back for a third time. With current backorder status, it may be January before all the streetlights are installed.
“The lights have always been six to eight weeks out,” Martin said. At the outset, Stutz Excavating and Curry and Associates Engineers “couldn’t agree on the number of lights,” according to Martin. Ultimately, 10 lights were shaved from the original plan for a savings of $100,000, but the delay resulted in Macoupin Street going dark for the immediate future.
In the meantime, city officials are encourage businesses on Macoupin Street to leave their lights on at night to provide at least minimal illumination.
Earlier in the meeting, former Mayor John Hicks urged the council to address the west side of the 200 block of Macoupin Street. Hicks said accumulations of inoperable vehicles, trailers and other items create a blight on the appearance of Macoupin Street.
“Your Streetscape project is beautiful but it needs to go a block further north,” Hicks said. Visitors arriving from the north, he said, will see the blighted property before seeing the improved Streetscape. “You’re going to see a beautiful street, but you’re going to see this first.”
Ald. Rauzi said the property owners have been contacted about several issues, including parking trailers in such a way that they interfere with pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk
Police Chief Jared DePoppe reported that the Police Department has completed its move into it new headquarters located at 124 N. Macoupin St. However, because of ongoing Streetscape construction members of the public with business to do with the Police Department will have to use a rear entrance to access the building.
parcel of property on Macoupin Street.
Likewise, because of the Streetscape construction, persons visiting city hall are required to access city offices via a rear entrance to the Civic Center.
EMERGENCY SIRENS
Council members voted unanimously to spend $1,260 to Table Rock Alerting Systems, Kimerling City, Mo., for work done to get older emergency sirens in the city’s siren system working, plus $2,860 for further equipment and software upgrades. Table Rock Alerting Systems was awarded a contact in August to install a new $40,000 siren near the city maintenance building. Upon testing the system, however, it was discovered that an older siren at Welfare Park failed to sound.
City ESDA Director Colin Mussatto said personnel from Table Rock was able to use equipment from the Community Unit 7 Fire Protection District to reach the siren, make repairs and lubricate the mechanism that allows the siren to revolve. Upon subsequent testing, all sirens were operable and could be heard as far away as Eagarville.
The older sirens are “100 percent obsolete,” Mussatto said but Table Rock has a “boneyard” from which it can salvage parts to keep the sirens operable for another five to 10 years. Eventually, however, the city should plan to replace the aging sirens, Mussatto said.
Mussatto said the older sirens became inoperable because of a lack of maintenance.
“I don’t remember any of the older sirens being maintained,” he said, adding that they need to be lubricated annually.
Upon his recommendation, the council approved a $900 annual expenditure for siren maintenance. Table Rock’s bid for maintenance is contingent upon the city being able to use equipment from the Fire District to reach the equipment.
POLICE PROTECTION
In separate actions, the council agreed to offer police protection contracts to the villages of Eagarville and Mount Clare.
Eagarville was offered a two-year contract for police protection at a cost of $750 per month, an increase of $150. Mt. Clare was offered a three year contract for $3,000 a month, up from $2,000 a month the village paid previously. Both contracts are subject to final approval by the respective village boards.
City officials said the increases were comparable with increases imposed on the City of Benld and Village of East Gillespie for ongoing police protection.
SURPLUS PROPERTY
With two dissenting votes, the council agreed to sell two city-owned lots in East Gillespie in the 700 block of Westwood Street to Corey and Elisha Miller for $2,001. The Millers were the sole bidders for the surplus property.
The measure was approved 4-2 with Ald. Rauzi and Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller casting the “no” votes.
The council also agreed to declare as surplus six acres of city-owned property east of Hickory Street on the city’s southeast side. The timbered parcel will be sold via sealed bids.
STOP SIGNS
The council spent several minutes discussing stop signs but ultimately voted 5-1 only to replace a stop sign on Chestnut Street at South Street with a Yield sign.
Mayor Pettit presented proposals to add stop signs at the intersections of Walnut and Jersey streets, and Madison and Osie streets. Both intersections have two-way stops currently. Pettit said there have been frequent vehicle collisions at both intersections.
“They need to be four-way stops,” he said.
Ald. Odell-Mueller asked if Pettit could quantify the number of collisions at each intersection. Essentially, she asked if there is a formula to determine whether or not an intersection can be classified as a “dangerous” intersection. Pettit said he consulted with Police Chief to document the number of accidents over an open-ended period of time.
“The way this works, if you have an intersection that you think is a problem, contact your alderman,” Pettit said. “The police will call up a record of the number of accidents at that intersection. That’s how we make the decision. Normally, people call us and say people are flying down the street. That’s not the question. The question is whether the intersection is dangerous. We can’t afford to have a stop sign at every intersection.”
Ald. Odell-Mueller suggested adding an advisory to stop signs on Walnut at Jersey to indicate “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop.” Further there was a suggestion that the question of adding stop signs be referred to the alderman representing the wards in which the intersections are located to make a recommendation to the council.
When Pettit asked for a motion to add stop signs at either intersection, none of the aldermen moved to approve the measure.
Later in the meeting, Ald. Bob Fritz moved to remove a stop sign on Chestnut at South Street and replace it with a Yield sign.
“My recollection is that when we voted to put that stop sign in, you voted in favor of it,” Pettit said, noting the stop sign was installed in response to complaints from senior citizens living in a housing development. “You don’t have to listen to the complaints. The people who were complaining are the older people who live there and couldn’t pull out of their driveways.”
Fritz responded that he would withdraw his motion.
“No, go ahead and make your motion,” Pettit replied.
Fritz’s motion to place a Yield sign in lieu of the Stop Sign at the intersection was approved 5-1, with Ald. Rauzi voting “no.”
WATER/SEWER RATES
The possibility of increasing water and sewer rates was referred to the Finance Committee after Ald. Rauzi approached the subject.
Due to salary increases and other cost increases, she said, “we’re going to have to look at raising water and sewer rates. This is not something we want to do, but our rates are among the lowest in the area.”
LED LIGHTS FOR CITY HALL
On a motion by Fritz, seconded by Odell-Mueller, the council voted to spend up to $1,000 for LED lighting to replace the traditional “icicle lights” traditionally installed for the holiday season. Pettit said he has similar lights at his residence and leaves them up year-round. The color of the lights can be changed for various holidays throughout the year.
OTHER ACTION
No specific action followed a 20-minute executive session to discuss personnel, legal issues and real estate.
In other action, the council:
• Agreed to spend $10,000 from the city’s CEJA grant funds to pay for a business bootcamp conducted by Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville for local business owners.
• Agreed to enter into an interim credit agreement with United Community Bank which will allow the city to continue to meet obligations while federal payments to the city are delayed due to the month-long government shut-down.
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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.
