December 20, 2023

At the Dec. 19 Barrington 220 Board of Education meeting, the Board heard an update on free full-day kindergarten, which launches at the start of the 2024-25 school year. Students in full-day kindergarten will experience additional learning time in core subject areas: literacy, math, science, global studies, and health. In addition, students will participate in elementary specials throughout the day such as art, music, STEM, library, and physical education. Click here to view a sample schedule.

The Board also heard an update on the new Kindergarten Lab Program or "K-Lab" at Barrington High School, which will also launch at the start of the 2024-25 school year. This free, opt-in program will be a full-day kindergarten program. It will include two kindergarten classes (46 students total), and it will provide unique learning opportunities to students, thanks to its location at BHS. At the meeting, the Board approved a contract with DLA architects to renovate existing space at BHS to build the new K-Lab classrooms. More information about the program will be made available to families next month. Click here to listen to the presentation.

Board to form Referendum Advisory Committee in 2024

At the Dec. 19 Board meeting, the Board approved a contract with consulting firm EO Sullivan. The firm will help guide the district's community engagement process over the next 10 months, as the district prepares to place a referendum question on the November 2024 election ballot. A potential referendum question would include significant upgrades to the fine, visual, and performing arts spaces at BHS. It could also possibly include projects that would impact all Barrington 220 schools such as additional safety and security upgrades.

The Board is planning to create a Referendum Advisory Committee to gain feedback about which projects should be included in a potential referendum question. The Board is anticipated to approve the committee charge at its next meeting on January 9. Click here to listen to the discussion.

At the Dec. 19 Board meeting, the Board approved 2024 summer school fees. After remaining flat for nearly a decade, fees will increase by the 2022 Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 6.5%. The 2024 Summer School Program will offer traditional in‐person courses at all levels and Illinois Virtual School (IVS) courses for high school students. Due to low enrollment, the Barrington Online Summer School (BOSS) program at the elementary level will not run in 2024. More information about summer school, including courses and fees, will be made available in February.

At the Dec. 19 Board meeting, the Board approved the district's share of the local property taxes for 2024. Barrington 220 collects property taxes from Kane, Lake, Cook, and McHenry Counties, and property taxes account for approximately 80% of the district's annual operating revenues. The district expects to receive an overall levy increase of 5.5% compared to last year, however, it requested a 6.3% increase in the event new construction is larger than expected. This is inclusive of capped funds and debt service obligations. Based on projections, the total expected tax revenue to be collected in 2024 is $158,062,300.

As part of the tentative levy, the Board will not issue Debt Service Extension Base (DSEB) this year. This will save local taxpayers approximately $2.5 million.

At the Dec. 19 Board meeting, the Board approved a bid for the addition of a right-turn lane from the west-bound lane on Dundee Road into the Early Learning Center. The total cost of the bid is $300,000. Construction on the new turn lane will begin this summer and is anticipated to be completed for the start of the 2024-25 school year. 

This school year one student from each Barrington 220 school will make a special appearance at a Board of Education meeting to share an update about all of the great things happening at their school. At the Dec. 19 Board meeting, the Board welcomed Andrew Stohl, an 8th grade student at Station Campus. Andrew has enjoyed learning the German language in school and looks forward to playing volleyball. He also looks forward to being a student at BHS next school year! Click here to listen to Andrew's report.