April 19, 2023

At the April 18 Barrington 220 Board of Education meeting, the Department of Teaching & Learning shared in a presentation that the district recently received approval from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to offer Career Pathway Endorsements for students in five areas. Those areas include Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources, Health Sciences & Technology, Information Technology, Finance & Business Services, and Human & Public Services. Students who earn an endorsement will earn a seal on their transcript, earn a minimum of six early college credits, and may be eligible for additional career and or college incentives. In addition, BHS students will be the first in the state to earn the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources endorsement. Click here to learn more about ISBE Career Pathway Endorsements. Click here to listen to the Board presentation.

At the April 18 Board meeting, the Department of Student Services & Support and the Department of Teaching & Learning shared a presentation about the curriculum review process for social emotional learning (SEL) in the district. Barrington 220 has a robust curriculum review process in all content areas, in order to provide a high quality curriculum that is differentiated to meet the needs of diverse students. This past fall, the district formed an SEL Committee in order to embark on Stage 1 of the district's curriculum review process, also known as the research and study phase. The committee’s work is guided by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework, which addresses five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. In 2004, Illinois was the first state to adopt SEL standards which are aligned to the CASEL framework. Click here to listen to the presentation.

At the April 18 Board meeting, the Board approved lunch prices for students in grades K-8 for the 2023-24 school year. The lunch price will increase by 10 cents from $3.05 to $3.15. The breakfast price will also increase by 10 cents from $1.50 to $1.60. Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program are required to ensure sufficient funds are provided to the school food service account for meals to students not eligible for free or reduced price meals. The increase will ensure that the district is in compliance with this requirement.

At the April 18 Board meeting, the Board approved a contract renewal with Sodexo North America for the 2023-24 school year. Sodexo is completing the fourth year of a five-year contract with the district. Barrington 220 elementary and middle schools participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). The district contracts with Sodexo North America to implement this program. The NSLP is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and private non-profit schools. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act. It is administered at the federal level by the USDA and at the state level by the Illinois State Board of Education.

In her Board President's Report at the April 18 Board meeting, Sandra Ficke-Bradford shared that Board members will tour various IL high school fine arts facilities this week. The tours are part of the process to create the design work for a potential new fine arts center at BHS, which was an identified project within the $147 million dollar referendum that Barrington 220 area voters approved in March 2020. Although the cost to build a new fine arts center was not included in the referendum, creating the design work will provide the Board of Education and the community with the necessary information to determine the appropriate next steps. Click here to learn more about Build 220.

The April 18 Board meeting marked Dr. Hunt's last Board meeting before he departs Barrington 220 in June to become the Superintendent of Schools for Upper Arlington Schools in Ohio. At the meeting, Dr. Hunt thanked the Board and the community for their support over the past couple of years, and Board members thanked him for his dedication to the district. During Dr. Hunt's time in Barrington 220, he led the district out of the worst of the pandemic, launched its Framework 220 strategic planning process, and oversaw the completion of Build 220 construction at seven schools. Dr. Craig Winkelman will officially take over as the district's new Superintendent of Schools on May 1. Click here to listen to Dr. Hunt's remarks.

At the April 18 Board meeting, the Barrington 220 community said goodbye to outgoing Board member Angela Wilcox. Wilcox joined the Board in 2015 and has served on various Board committees for the past eight years. During her time on the Board, Barrington 220 implemented new start times at all grade levels, received three out of 11 National Blue Ribbon Awards, passed a $147 million referendum to fund facility upgrades at all school buildings, embarked on the Framework 220 strategic planning process, maintained a balanced budget each year and maintained a AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor's. The new Board of Education will be sworn in at a special meeting on Tuesday, May 2 at 8am at the District Administrative Center. Click here to view the farewell.

At the April 18 Board meeting, Arnett C. Lines Elementary 5th grade student John Fleming led meeting attendees in reciting the pledge of allegiance. This is part of an initiative at Board meetings called the "Star-Spangled Student" which recognizes exemplary students. Staff describe John as a true leader in the classroom, who is always determined and willing to push himself to complete an activity. He is an exceptionally respectful and kind student to his classmates and teachers. Congrats John! Click here to view the recognition.