October 7, 2021
D220 looks ahead to create new strategic plan
At the October 5 Board of Education meeting, Dr. Robert Hunt, Superintendent of Schools and Dr. Craig Winkelman, Assistant Superintendent of K-12 Schools and Operations, shared a tentative timeline to embark on creating a new strategic plan for the district. The process most likely will begin in early 2022 and it will involve much community engagement, in order to shape the future of Barrington 220.
 
A strategic plan formalizes a school district's mission, vision, values, goals, and objectives. Barrington 220's most recent strategic plan "Vision 2020" was a 10 year plan created in 2009, which began as a vision of the year 2020, when the kindergartners of 2008 would enter their graduating year at Barrington High School. 
 
Click here to view the full presentation, including the tentative timeline. You can also listen to the presentation in the Board meeting video beginning at 1:16:40.
Countryside and Roslyn Road moving into Bid phase
At the Oct. 5 Board meeting, Board members received an update on the Build 220 progress at Countryside Elementary School and Roslyn Road Elementary School. These are "sibling schools", which means the buildings have similar floor plans. Both schools are wrapping up the Design phase of the process, which is divided into three phases:

  • Design: time needed to review concepts, produce construction documents, and receive authorization from the Board to release for bidding

  • 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

  • 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. In addition, both buildings will have dedicated STEM spaces and sensory rooms. A sensory space already exists at Countryside, however it does not have all of the features that the district has identified for the sensory rooms that will be in place at all elementary schools. Both schools will be moving into the Bid phase this month, with major construction expected to begin in Summer 2022.

You can listen to the Build 220 update in the Board meeting video beginning at 1:39:05.
Educational Foundation shares latest major project
At the Oct. 5 Board meeting, Board members heard an update from the Barrington 220 Educational Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to encourage curiosity, inspire students' passion for learning and career exploration, and provide enriching opportunities through private funding. Since it was formed in 1999, the Foundation has granted more than $3.8 million to fund many projects across Barrington 220. Some of those projects include:


The Foundation's latest major project is the Barrington Horticultural Sciences initiative, which will expand the horticultural sciences curriculum by providing funds to renovate the existing greenhouse at BHS and update existing equipment and supplies. Work will occur throughout the 21-22 school year. You can listen to the presentation beginning at 12:34 in the Board meeting video. Click here to visit the Foundation's website.