February 21, 2024

You're Invited! Community Engagement Meetings

Beginning this month, the Barrington 220 Board of Education is embarking on a six month community engagement process in order to gain stakeholder feedback about projects that should be included in a potential school district referendum question on the November 2024 election ballot. The Board will collect feedback through three primary methods:

Referendum Advisory Committee

A Referendum Advisory Committee will meet four times from February - July to assist the Board in identifying key components to be included in a potential referendum question. The committee will make a final recommendation to the Board by the June 4, 2024 Board meeting. The final decision of what will be asked on a referendum question rests with the Board. Click here to learn more.

Community Phone Surveys

Phone surveys will be conducted in March and April to gather community input on funding levels and support for projects to be included in a potential referendum question.

Community Meetings

During the month of March the district will hold four community meetings to collect additional feedback. These meetings will feature a presentation, survey, and an opportunity to ask questions. They are open to the public. Please note that each meeting will have the same agenda.

• Wednesday, March 6: 6pm @ BMS-Prairie Campus 
• Saturday, March 9: 10am @ BHS Front Atrium (Lower Level) 
• Monday, March 11: 6pm @ Arnett C. Lines Elementary 
• Thursday, March 14: 6pm via Zoom (Click here to register for the Zoom)

At the Feb. 20 Board meeting, the Board approved three administrative positions at Barrington High School. All three will begin in their new roles on July 1.

• Brad Gillette will be the Associate Principal of Extra Curricular & Operations. He has worked as the Assistant Principal of Operations/Athletic Director at Prairie Campus since 2017. He holds a bachelor's in History and Geography from the University of Kansas and completed his teacher certification at Judson University. He holds a master's degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education.
• Jennifer Robinson will be the Assistant Principal of Student Support. She has worked as an Assistant Principal at BHS since 2021 and the Alternative Pathways Program Principal since 2020. She served as a Dean of Students at BHS from 2005-2021. She holds a bachelor's degree in Education from Northern Illinois University, a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University, and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Concordia.
• Dr. Robin Vannoy will be the Associate Principal of Student Services. She joins Barrington 220 from Hinsdale South High School, where she currently serves as the Director of Deans. She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a Spanish minor from the University of Massachusetts, a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Argosy University, and a doctorate in School Psychology from Loyola University.

At the Feb. 20 Board meeting, the Board recognized BMS-Prairie Campus for being re-designated as an Illinois Horizon School to Watch by the Association of Illinois Middle-Grade Schools. This award is given to schools that demonstrate academic excellence, development responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes designed to support a trajectory of excellence. Prairie first earned the designation in 2020 and it is one of only 500 schools across the country to earn this recognition in 2024. Prairie will be honored at the annual National Schools to Watch Conference in Washington, DC this summer. Click here to listen to the recognition.

At the Feb. 20 Board meeting, the Board approved moving up the start time of its regular meetings from 7pm to 6:30pm. This change will take effect beginning at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting on March 5, 2024. In addition, the Board approved moving its meeting in July to the third week in July, rather than the second week.

Board approves 24-25 Instructional Materials Report 

At the Feb. 20 Board meeting, the Board approved the 2024-25 instructional materials report, which is the district’s annual list of textbooks and instructional materials that are being used in classrooms. The district has a robust curriculum review cycle in order to ensure the curriculum is dynamic and meets the needs of students. Click here to view the changes, which are highlighted in yellow.

In his Superintendent's Report at the Feb. 20 Board meeting, Dr. Winkelman congratulated Dr. Melissa Byrne for earning a "Those Who Excel" award from the Illinois State Board of Education! Dr. Byrne, the district's Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning, earned the Award of Meritorious Service in the Administrator category. Educators presented with this award have shaped their school community for the better. These educators frequently employ their talents and passions, but also strive to be of service in unfamiliar domains.

In his Superintendent's Report at the Feb. 20 Board meeting, Dr. Winkelman shared that he will serve as one of three judges at the annual Hope's In Fashion Show in April. The event is organized by the non-profit Hope's In, which raises money for families living in Guatemala City. Click here to learn more and register for the event!

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 Feb. 20 Board meeting, the Board welcomed Jack Laumann. Jack is a 5th-grade student at Hough Street Elementary. He loves his Hough teachers and all of the after-school opportunities available to Hough students. Jack looks forward to playing Bruce the Shark in the Hough Drama Club's production of Finding Nemo, participating in the 5th Grade Track Meet, and attending Station Campus next school year. Click here to listen to the recognition.