June 7, 2023

At the June 6 Barrington 220 Board of Education meeting, the Board approved the district's new strategic plan, Framework 220, which will guide the district's work over the next few years. The plan consists of six strategic priorities that were developed through a lengthy community engagement process over the past year. Within each priority, there are measurable objectives that were established through a collaborative effort between district leaders and staff members. This summer the district will outline how and when these objectives will be accomplished and measured, as well as how the district will keep the community informed and involved in the work. More details will be provided at a Board of Education meeting this fall.

D220 expanding green learning opportunities

At the June 6 Board meeting, the Board heard an update regarding the district's efforts to expand green learning opportunities for students. Over the past year, Barrington 220 has leveraged district and community resources to make Barrington 220 the first district in the state to develop a College and Career Pathway Endorsement in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR). In addition, the district has been working with stakeholders to further solidify plans to ecologically restore the property on the west side of Hart Road (next to BHS), so that it can be used as a green learning space for students and the community. The plan involves using an agricultural technique known as permaculture. Permaculture is an ethical design process that utilizes science and agricultural methods to weave human agricultural activities with natural surroundings. Click here to listen to the entire presentation.

In his Superintendent's Report at the June 6 Board meeting, Dr. Winkelman shared the following updates with the Board of Education:

• Dr. Winkelman congratulated all of the student teams who participated in the 10th Annual Business INCubator Pitch Night last month. Click here to learn more about the nationally-recognized BHS Business INCubator Program and view the presentations from Pitch Night.

• Last month a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at BHS to celebrate the end of construction at the Fields of Dreams, the varsity baseball field, and the new multi-purpose turf field on the north side of the building. In addition to being used by BHS and youth athletic teams, these new spaces will provide more opportunities to enhance the physical education curriculum. Click here to view photos from the ceremony.

• Major construction is happening at BHS this summer, which includes reconfiguring the front parking lot and adding additional parking spots on the south side of the building. Beginning this fall, drivers will no longer have to drive around the entire building to exit the campus. Instead, the front parking lot will connect to the Hart Road parking lot on the west side of the building. Click here to learn more about the latest BHS construction updates.

Click here to listen to Dr. Winkelman's entire report.

In her Board President's Report at the June 6 Board meeting, Sandra Ficke-Bradford shared that beginning on Monday, June 12 the Union Pacific Railroad will be repairing the Metra rail crossing located at Main Street and Cook Street. Detour routes will be in place during this time. The construction is expected to end on June 23, 2023. Click here to view the map and detour routes.