January 24, 2024

Board prepares to launch 2024 Referendum Advisory Committee

At the Jan. 23 Barrington 220 Board of Education meeting, the Board discussed the charge for its 2024 Referendum Advisory Committee. Over the next several months, committee members will provide feedback about projects that should be included in a potential referendum question on the November 2024 election ballot. Projects would include significant upgrades to the fine, visual, and performing arts spaces at Barrington High School. They could also possibly include additional projects that would impact all Barrington 220 schools. Early next week the district will send out invitations seeking representation from many stakeholder groups to serve on this nearly 60-member committee.

In addition to feedback from the committee, the district will seek stakeholder feedback about a potential referendum question through phone surveys and public engagement sessions. The district is working with consulting firm EO Sullivan to help guide this community engagement process over the next six months.

If the Board decides to place a referendum question on the November 2024 ballot, it must approve the question in August.

At the Jan. 23 Board meeting, the Board approved Sarah Lager as the district's new Assistant Superintendent of Business Services/Chief School Business Official. Lager has worked as the district's Director of Fiscal Services & Asset Management since 2020. She previously worked as the Director of Fiscal Services/Chief School Business Official at the Cooperative Association of Special Education (CASE). She earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science from Illinois State University and a master's degree in School Business Administration/CSBO from Northern Illinois University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Concordia Chicago University. Lager will begin her duties on July 1, replacing Dr. David Bein who is retiring.

At the Jan. 23 Board meeting, the Board approved Heather Schumacher as the new Principal of Hough Street Elementary School. Schumacher comes from Barbara B. Rose Elementary School, where she has served as the Principal since the 2018-19 school year. Before joining Barrington 220, Schumacher worked as a principal at Elm Place School in North Shore School District 112. Prior to her time in District 112, she worked in Barrington 220 for 10 years as a summer school principal, as well as a language arts, math and social studies teacher at Station Middle School. She earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Benedictine University. She also has a master’s degree in Gifted Education from Northeastern Illinois University, as well as a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Schumacher will begin her duties on July 1, replacing Jim Aalfs who is retiring.

Kelly Pinta

Lisa Riley

At the Jan. 23 Board meeting, the Board approved Kelly Pinta and Lisa Riley as the two teachers for Barrington 220's new Kindergarten Lab Program at Barrington High School.

Pinta currently works as an Instructional Coach at Countryside Elementary School. She started working in Barrington 220 in 2001 as a 4th Grade Teacher at Countryside.

Riley currently works as an Instructional Coach at North Barrington Elementary School. She started working in Barrington 220 in 1997 as a 2nd Grade Teacher at Hough Street Elementary.

In his Superintendent’s Report at the Jan. 23 Board meeting, Dr. Winkelman shared that the district is currently conducting an e-learning survey to gather feedback about how Barrington 220 can improve e-learning days for students. While e-learning days are not the same as in-person attendance days, the district strives to provide the best possible e-learning experiences. If you haven’t already done so, please complete the survey by Friday, Jan. 26. If you have multiple children in the district, please complete the survey one time for each child.

• Click here to complete the parent/guardian survey
• Click here to complete the student survey

In his Superintendent's Report at the Jan. 23 Board meeting, Dr. Winkelman shared that Barrington 220 has sold its former district office located at 310 E. James Street. The property was purchased by a daycare provider called The Nest Schools.

The district moved into the location on James Street in the early 1970s. At the end of the 2018-19 school year, Barrington 220 moved into its current location at 515 West Main Street, right across from Barrington High School.

Immediately following the regular Jan. 23 Board meeting, the Board held its annual Committee of the Whole meeting. This annual meeting is when the Board begins its budget planning discussions for the following fiscal year. The Board is anticipated to approve the FY25 budget in September.