March 16, 2022
Board recognizes state champion swimmer
At the March 15 Barrington 220 Board of Education meeting, the Board recognized BHS senior Griffin O'Leary, who recently won the IHSA state championship for the 100-yard backstroke. Griffin has been a captain on the varsity swim team for the past four years. This year he was also named the Mid-Suburban League Swimmer of the Year. Griffin plans to continue his studies and swimming at the University of Southern California next school year. Congrats Griffin! Click here to watch the recognition.
 Hough student selected "Star-Spangled Student"
At the March 15 Board meeting, Hough Street Elementary student Scarlett Sepe 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. Scarlett was nominated by the Hough staff who say she comes to school every day with a positive attitude and ready to work hard. Scarlett also participates in many activities such as Hough's recent production of Shrek and she is a member of the 5th grade girls basketball team. Congrats Scarlett! Click here to watch the recognition.
D220 earns rare financial designation among school districts
At the March 15 Board meeting, Dr. Hunt shared that Barrington 220 has once again earned AAA bond rate status from S&P Global, making it one of just 88 school districts across the country to earn the highest rating. In addition, Barrington 220 is one of only 23 school districts in Illinois with a AAA bond rating.
 
As a AAA bond rated school district, Barrington 220 receives the lowest competitive interest rates when seeking bond financing. Barrington 220 has achieved AAA bond rate status for the past 14 years. The district prides itself on fiscal responsibility and has had a balanced budget for the past 25 years.
At the March 15 Board meeting, the Board heard an update on the design plans for Build 220 projects at BHS. Early Build 220 projects were delivered under budget, therefore there were enhancements included in the initial BHS design plans. The bids for those projects came back higher than initially anticipated, therefore the district modified the design plans to ensure they delivered upon the priorities articulated to the community within budget. BHS will go back out to bid in the coming weeks. Exterior construction at BHS will begin this summer.
 
As of today $58 million of the $147 million has been committed to projects at Countryside, Grove, Hough, Prairie, Roslyn, Station, and Sunny Hill. The Early Learning Center, Lines, North Barrington and Rose are currently in the design phase of the Build 220 process. Click here to listen to the entire Build 220 presentation.
Community members raise $1.1 million to enhance BHS athletic fields
At the March 15 Board meeting, the Board recognized the Friends of the Fields Committee. Over the past few months this community group has raised $1.1 million to enhance the Build 220 work that is being done at the BHS Fields of Dreams Complex and varsity baseball stadium. Special thanks to Anna Ensign, Burke Groom, JP Hills, Dave Jacobs, Bob Jensen, Kevin Pokorny, Glenn Reed, Brad Sparesus, Jon Stickney, John Sciaccotta and Bob Sturgis. Donations are still being accepted. Click here to learn more.
Board approves bids for summer capital projects
At the March 15 Board meeting, the Board approved about $600,000 in bids for a portion of this year's summer capital projects:
 
  • BHS: sophomore baseball field fencing improvements and field maintenance, Hager Road access drive resurface
  • Prairie: Beese Park Path resurface
  • Countryside: basketball court maintenance 
  • Grove: asbestos abatement 
  • North Barrington: west parking lot reconstruction
  • Rose: parking lot pavement rejuvenator, sidewalk repairs and bus line sidewalk installation
  • Roslyn: sidewalk repairs and patio installation

Every summer the district allocates about $3 million for school building improvement and maintenance projects. Bids for additional projects for this summer will go before the Board in April.
During his Superintendent's Report at the March 15 Board meeting, Dr. Hunt discussed several topics:
  • COVID: Dr. Hunt shared that the COVID dashboard has been updated to include student and staff vaccination rates, in addition to graphs that demonstrate daily and weekly positivity rates and quarantines. Click here to view the dashboard. You can view the graphs by clicking on the "graphs" tab at the bottom.

  • FRAMEWORK 220: Dr. Hunt shared that the district recently conducted nine focus groups with more than 200 stakeholders as part of the Framework 220 strategic planning process. At the April 5 Board meeting, a report will be provided which details the feedback from the focus groups, as well as this online community questionnaire.

  • SPEECH TOURNAMENT: Dr. Hunt congratulated all students who participated in the 30th Annual Barrington 220 Speech Tournament which occurred last week. Nearly 500 students from grades 4-8 participated and about 90 judges volunteered their time. Thanks to staff members Ronald Bergquist and Alissa Borck who coordinated the event!

D220 students continue to outperform students nationwide
At the March 15 Board meeting, the Department of Teaching & Learning provided a winter assessment update, based on data from the following tests: FastBridge (Grades K and 1) MAP (Grades 2-8) PSAT (8th grade and high school). Barrington 220 students continue to outperform national averages at all grade levels. Click here to listen to the full presentation.
Board approves Director of Learning Services
At the March 15 Board meeting, the Board approved Jordan Anderson as the district's new Director of Learning Services. Anderson currently serves as Barrington 220's Director of Student Services at the elementary level. In her new role, Anderson will work with the Department of Teaching & Learning and the Department of Student Services & Support in order to oversee professional development for staff, the district's Extended Services programming and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), including social emotional learning. Anderson studied elementary education at Trinity Christian College. She also holds a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Saint Xavier University and a master's degree in educational administration from Concordia University. In addition, she is currently enrolled in a doctorate program, focusing on educational leadership, at Concordia University. She will begin her new role on July 1.