Board hears update from Department of Teaching and Learning |
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At the Nov. 16 Board of Education meeting, the Board heard an update from the Department of Teaching and Learning about key student performance indicators released in the Illinois State Report Card, results from the 5Essentials Survey, and preliminary IAR data.
Key Student Performance Indicators
- 88% of 9th grade students are on track (have earned at least 5 full year course credits and have earned no more than one semester F in a core course)
- 50% of BHS students are taking early college coursework throughout their high school experience. Almost 74% of the graduating class of ‘21 took at least one early college course during their senior year
- 95% graduation rate
- 93% of the class of '21 reported enrolling in college
5Essentials Survey
The 5Essentials Survey is administered by the state to all staff, parents and students in grades 4-12 and measures five areas that are critical for school success. The results from the 2020-21 school year are similar to results from previous years, which show Barrington 220 schools are well organized for success.
Preliminary IAR Data
Preliminary Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) data shows that 42% of Barrington 220 students are meeting or exceeding standards in Math and 47% of students are meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts. While this falls below Barrington 220's typical performance, it is important to keep in mind that the IAR test was administered to students last spring, shortly after they transitioned from hybrid to full in-person learning. In addition, due to the pandemic, only 70% of D220 students participated in testing compared to the typical 95% or higher. The district is closely monitoring areas where more support is needed, as well as results from other tests such as MAP and Fastbridge, which indicate D220 students are performing where they need to be.
You can listen to the full presentation beginning at 2:43:38 in the Board meeting video.
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Hough and Sunny Hill moving into Bid phase |
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At its Nov. 16 meeting, the Board received an update on the Build 220 progress at Hough Elementary School and Sunny Hill Elementary School. Both schools are finalizing the Design phase of the process.
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Design: time needed to review concepts, produce construction documents, and receive authorization from the Board to release for bidding
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Bid: time needed for prospective bidders to get drawings, estimate and submit bids for the design, and the construction team to analyze and formulate recommendations for Board approval
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Build: time needed to award contracts, purchase materials, construct, and once completed, turn over the facility to the school district to occupy
As is the case with all Barrington 220 elementary schools, both schools will receive significant safety and security upgrades, in addition to maintenance updates such as replacing HVAC units and upgrading restrooms. Both buildings will also have dedicated STEM spaces and sensory rooms. They will be moving into the Bid phase in December, with major construction expected to begin in summer 2022. You can listen to the full presentation beginning at 3:09:56 in the Board meeting video.
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Board approves tentative 2021 tax levy |
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At its Nov. 16 meeting, the Board heard a presentation about the tentative 2021 tax levy, which determines how much taxpayer money the district will receive in 2022. Barrington 220 collects property taxes from Cook, Kane, Lake, and McHenry Counties, and property taxes account for approximately 84% of the district's annual operating revenues. Each year the district requests a tax levy increase, in order to match the expenditure increases for cost of living increases, service and material increases, and other expenditure increases. If approved, the district expects to receive a 1.5% tax increase compared to last year, however it is requesting a 2.5% increase in the event new construction is larger than expected. Based upon projections, excluding bond and interest, the total expected tax revenue for 2021 is $132,396,948. The next step in the tax levy approval process is a public hearing set for the Dec. 7 Board meeting. The Board is anticipated to approve the tax levy on Dec. 21. You can listen to the full presentation beginning at 1:13:18 in the Board meeting video.
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Board approves which IASB resolutions it plans to support |
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At its Nov. 16 meeting, the Board approved which resolutions it plans to support from the Illinois Association of School Board's (IASB) 2021 resolution proposals. Every November school boards from across the state send a delegate to the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) conference in Chicago. At this conference, the delegates vote on proposed resolutions IASB will pursue in the upcoming legislative sessions. The Board will NOT support resolutions 2, 4, 11 and 15. Click here to view the 2021 resolutions. You can listen to the resolution discussion beginning at 2:00:25 in the Board meeting video.
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Board approves bid for air purification systems |
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At its Nov. 16 meeting, the Board approved a bid for a district-wide air filtration project, which will improve the air quality at each school. The project is being funded through the district's ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund) funds. The total cost of the base bid is $586,645. |
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In his Superintendent's Report at the Nov. 16 Board meeting, Dr. Robert Hunt shared several district updates: |
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National Merit Commended students |
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Dr. Hunt recognized 36 BHS students who have been named 2022 National Merit Commended students. These students received a letter of commendation based on their scores on the PSAT test taken their junior year. Commended students are among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students from across the country who took the test.
Congrats to the following seniors: Amani Alvi, Rhea Banerjee, Smrithi Beeram, Abigail Bergan, Jared Berry, Nikash Chhadia, Lily Dale, Spyridon Economos, Pranav Gadiraju, Eleanor Holtermann, Ananya Jain, Sarah Kazmi, Nurayn Kahn, Michelle Kim, Arjun Madhavan, Sarah Masud, Brant Pan, Aarnav Patel, Ohm Patel, Mackenzie Patricelli, Pranavi Polavarapu, Timothy Price, Nayana Ramesh, Kyoung Min Rha, Paul Rubanau, Henry Segal, Nikolai Selin, Sanjana Shankar, Ranya Sharma, Jacob Smith, Evan Sun, James Towler, Austin Tuerck, Gina Valdivia, Aran Viswanath, and April Wu.
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As Dr. Hunt mark's his official 100th day of work in the school district, he is hosting a community town hall meeting, which will provide an opportunity to engage in a dialogue regarding important topics in Barrington 220. His “First 100 Days Town Hall” will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 6:30pm in the Black Box Theater at BHS. If you plan to attend, please fill out this RSVP form. If you are not able to attend, a recording of the meeting will be made available. He will also be hosting a meeting that will be translated in Spanish at Sunny Hill Elementary on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6pm.
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D220 student COVID vaccination clinics |
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D220 named "Top Workplace" for third straight year |
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Dr. Hunt congratulated Barrington 220 for being named a 2021 Top Workplace in the Chicago area by the Chicago Tribune. This is the third year in a row Barrington 220 has made the list. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey, which measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection. Click here to see the full list.
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BHS grad Michelle Wu elected Mayor of Boston |
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Dr. Hunt congratulated Michelle Wu (BHS '03), who was sworn in as Mayor of Boston on Nov. 16. Wu is Boston's first woman and first Asian American mayor. At BHS she was one of two valedictorians for the Class of 2003. She was also named "Biggest Brainiac" in the senior superlative section of the yearbook. She went on to attend Harvard as an undergraduate and law student. |
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Dr. Hunt recognized the Barrington 220 Board of Education members for their volunteer service and dedication to the school district. The Illinois Association of School Boards has designated November 15 of each year as "School Board Members Day" in Illinois. |
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