June 6, 2025

Draft Design Plans Released for New Auditorium and Career Pathways Addition at BHS

At our June 3 Barrington 220 Board of Education meeting, the Board heard an update on the district's $64 million Transform 220 initiative. Nearly all projects are currently in the design phase through January 2026. Focus groups have been meeting with team leads—staff members with direct connections to each planned project—to identify opportunities, discuss challenges, and share inspirational images. Accessibility and creating spaces conducive to authentic learning experiences are top priorities.

• Click here to check out draft design plans for performing arts spaces at BHS, including the new community auditorium.
• Click here to check out draft design plans for the new 4,000 square foot career pathways addition at BHS. The draft design includes spaces for automotive, manufacturing, and aviation. BHS currently offers career pathways in each of these three areas, which were selected based on student demand and industry trends.

This summer, new flooring will be installed at Arnett C. Lines Elementary School, which marks the initiative's first construction project to get underway. The district has committed $640,000 of the $64 million for this project. Next spring, the district is anticipated to break ground on several exciting projects, including the new community auditorium at BHS and the renovation of our middle school science classrooms and BHS fine arts classrooms! To view additional information, including a detailed timeline, click here.

The Board is anticipated to approve the sale of bonds for the upcoming projects at its regularly scheduled meeting later this month. By law, the funding secured by the bonds can only be used for needed infrastructure projects. As a AAA bond-rated school district, Barrington 220 receives the lowest competitive interest rates when seeking bond financing.

At our June 3 Board meeting, the Board recognized two Barrington High School journalism students recently named state champions at the IHSA State Journalism Competition in Normal, IL.

• Rising senior Alex Brudvik placed first in the state for double-page design. Click here to view his winning entry.
• RyAnn Brown (BHS '25) placed first in the state for sports writing. Click here to read her winning entry. She plans to study journalism and education at the University of Missouri next year.

The Board also recognized BHS senior Sabrina Roach for earning one of 12 spots on the 2025 Illinois Journalism Education Association All-State Journalism Team. This is only the second time a BHS student has earned this recognition. The team recognizes students who have proven themselves indispensable to their respective school media (e.g., yearbook, print or online newspaper, print or online newsmagazine, broadcast or other journalist media). Click here to view some of Sabrina's work. She plans to attend the Stern School of Business at New York University next year.

Sabrina was the Print Editor-in-Chief of the BHS RoundUp this past school year, the student-run newspaper for BHS, led by staff member Laura Minera. RyAnn was the Online Arts & Entertainment Editor, and Alex was the print Opinions Editor.

At our June 3 Board meeting, the Board recognized two middle school students who took first place at the IESA State Track Meet last month. 

• Lana McKendree, who recently completed 8th grade at Prairie Campus, won the 8th Grade Girls Class 4A 100-meter dash. She ran the race in 12.51 seconds! Lana plans to continue running at BHS next year.
• Jason Sterk, who recently completed 7th grade at Station Campus, won the 7th Grade Boys Class 4A Pole Vault competition. Jason cleared 3.2 meters!

​​In his Superintendent's Report at our June 3 Board meeting, Dr. Winkelman shared that this summer the district will be sharing more information about the district's new social media guidelines for the 2025-26 school year. The guidelines will impact students and staff at all three grade levels— elementary, middle, and high school. The goal is to identify and implement a district-wide process to support healthy, informed digital citizenship among students.

The guidelines were developed by the district's Social Media Awareness & Digital Citizenship Advisory Committee, which was created this past fall as part of the Health & Well-Being strategic priority in the district's strategic plan, Framework 220. The committee includes representation from key stakeholders across the district (Students, Parents, Community Members, and Barrington 220 Staff) and experts in the field. Click here to learn more.