February 16, 2022
D220 to remain mask recommended, not required
At the February 15 Barrington 220 Board of Education meeting, Dr. Hunt shared an update on the two lawsuits in Illinois regarding masks in schools. The district previously communicated that if a stay is ordered or the appellate court overturns the judge’s decision, Barrington 220 will be required to return to universal masking. However, based on ongoing changes that have occurred over the past week, including the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) declining to extend the school mask mandate in Illinois based on the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) litigation before the appellate court, the district will remain in a mask recommended, but not required environment. Dr. Hunt also recommended that the Board of Education withdraw from the current appeal. 

The district will evaluate the appellate court ruling when it comes down and make appropriate decisions regarding mitigation strategies based on criteria established by the Board of Education in January. Dr. Hunt expressed his gratitude for staff, students, and parents for their ability to effectively transition into this next phase on such short notice. Click here to listen to the entire discussion.
Board approves new BHS Athletic Director
At the Feb. 15 Board meeting, the Board approved Ryan Rubenstein as the new Athletic Director at Barrington High School. Rubenstein comes to Barrington 220 from Lake Zurich High School, where he has served as an Assistant Principal for the past 14 years. Previously he also worked as a Dean of Students and a physical and driver's education teacher in District 95. During his tenure at LZHS, Ryan has coached football and baseball. He has also been a baseball umpire for several years. Ryan received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Illinois State University. He also has a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from National Louis University, a master's degree in educational leadership from Northern Illinois University and a Chief School Business Official certificate from Northern Illinois University. Ryan will begin working in Barrington 220 on July 1. He will replace current Athletic Director Mike Obsuszt, who is retiring in June after serving 19 years as the BHS Athletic Director.
 Roslyn student selected "Star-Spangled Student"
At the Feb. 15 Board meeting, Roslyn Road Elementary student Ava Goetze led meeting attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. This is part of a new initiative at Board meetings called the "Star-Spangled Student" which recognizes exemplary students. Ava recently took first place in a history essay contest organized by the Barrington chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution. Her essay has been sent on to the State level for judging. Click here to watch Ava recite the pledge in the Board meeting video.
D220 partners with local governmental agencies to improve pedestrian safety near BHS
At the Feb. 15 Board meeting, the Board agreed to have the school district partner with the Village of Barrington and Lake County in order to create a pedestrian path and bridge along Hart Road. The village, in coordination with Lake County, has plans to construct a multi-use pedestrian path along the south and west sides of BHS that will connect existing paths from the north and east. The project is anticipated to be completed in November 2023. Click here to see a visual of the project.
During his Superintendent's Report at the Feb. 15 Board meeting, Dr. Hunt discussed several topics:
  • Dr. Hunt shared an update on his Superintendent Transition Plan, which was created prior to his official start date as Superintendent of Schools. It articulates goals and activities that are taking place throughout the course of his first year in the district. From July 2021 through January 2022, Dr. Hunt participated in Phase 2: Listening & Learning, in which he conducted many focus groups with stakeholders in order to learn about the district's strengths and opportunities for growth. Click here to view the Phase 2 report.
  • Dr. Hunt shared that members of the district leadership team recently visited the Apple Executive Briefing Center in Chicago to learn more about technology integration into the classroom. Topics included: the future of learning, tools for learning, plans for growth and leadership and how the district can leverage technology further to improve education for students.
  • Dr. Hunt recognized that the month of February is Black History Month, which serves as a celebration of Black history and culture. The district looks forward to continuing its commitment to equity. Click here to visit the Equity 220 webpage.
Board discusses FY23 budget
Each year the Board begins its budget discussion for the following school year at its Committee of the Whole meeting in January. This meeting is focused on the financial forecast of the school district. At that time the Board reviewed various financial models for the district, and Board members continued their review of other models (graph 1, graph 2 and graph 3) at their Feb. 15 meeting. The Board will continue this work as it moves through the budgeting process, which typically ends in September when the Board approves the final budget.