We have several concerns with the referendum that the Barrington School Board chose to place on the March 17 ballot, but for the sake of time, we’ll forego listing them all and get down to our primary objection, which happens to be our most timely one.
A few short months ago, District 220 issued the following press release:
“Barrington 220 is proud to announce it has been named one of the 2019 Top Workplaces in the Chicago area by the Chicago Tribune. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner, Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection. Click here to see the full list.””
Dr. Brian Harris, Superintendent of Schools, wrote the following of 220’s top workplace distinction:
“I am very proud of our staff for making Barrington 220 a great place to work. Their dedication and passion are reflected each day in the outstanding education we provide to our students.”
In fact, District 220 is the only school district listed on the Chicago Tribune’s list of Top 150 Workplaces in the Chicago area. We think that’s admirable, but the reality sets in all too quickly for parents, students, teachers, staff and, above all, taxpayers when considering another list.
In the most recent ranking of best high schools in Illinois by U.S. News and World Report, Barrington High School ranked 35th.
Those high schools ahead of Barrington in the Chicago area were: Adlai E Stevenson HS (6), Libertyville HS (10), Hinsdale Central HS (12), John Hersey HS (13), Deerfield HS (14), New Trier Township HS Winnetka 15), Glenbrook North HS (16), Lincoln Park HS (17), Prospect HS (18), Neuqua Valley HS (19), Buffalo Grove HS (20), Glenbard West HS (21), William Fremd HS (22), Vernon Hills HS (23), Glenbrook South HS (24), Lake Forest HS (25), Highland Park HS (26), Evanston Township HS (27), Westinghouse HS (28), Metea Valley HS (29), York Community HS (30), Naperville Central HS (31), Naperville North HS (32) and St. Charles North HS (34).
When considering the two lists we’ve shared, we must ask why District 220’s board and, more specifically, Dr. Brian Harris, can be so pleased with Barrington’s lackluster rank among other high schools.
There was a time when New Trier and Barrington High Schools were the gold standards to be considered when families were relocating to the Chicago area. As one can see, New Trier is still well respected, and we challenge our Board of Education to commit to trying to improve the Barrington High School that we once enjoyed and was so widely envied.
Passing the proposed referendum will not accomplish this. Perhaps when the Board begins such initiatives, we’ll look forward to endorsing them.
Thank you for recognizing the hard work that District 220 has done to make the district a Top Workplace. As your article states, this is the only school district in the Chicago area to receive that distinction. You can see the commitment of our teachers and administrators every day as they strive to keep the district financially sound, structurally strong, and evolving with the changing needs of education.
However, by suggesting that our students and faculty don’t deserve the repairs, upgrades, and improvements that are urgently needed on every campus because our district doesn’t rank higher than 35th in Illinois is very short-sighted. There are almost 1,300 high schools in our state, and ranking 35th puts us in the top 3%. Of all the comparable schools in our area, many of which are on that top school list, District 220 has the second-lowest tax rates at 4.852%*.
Overall our district is doing more with less and has been for many years. The district has continued to keep the budget balanced and maintained a AAA bond rating. We’ve reached a point where the needs of our students and the schools they attend every day are beyond ‘ongoing maintenance’ and require significant improvements. Every dollar of this referendum will stay in District 220, nothing goes to Chicago, Springfield, or Washington D.C.
The Barrington Observer feels our schools should reflect our town and our high standards, and we couldn’t agree more, which is why we respectfully believe a ‘Yes’ vote is the right thing to do.
Nice boilerplate comeback but when I read that STEVENSON HS ranks almost 30 pts HIGHER than BHS I really have to take a step back and ask what the board is doing about this? Maybe that’s not a big deal to 220 cheerleaders but there’s no question colleges pay attention to that when accepting applicants of equal GPA!
You don’t improve schools by forcing teachers and student to work in schools that are falling apart, non ADA compliant, and in some cases literally trailers. Minor investment for major rewards. Vote ‘Yes’ for our students and our community.
Bill,
You CLEARLY didn’t read the article before pitching your rant! I believe it stated, “Barrington 220 is proud to announce it has been named one of the 2019 Top Workplaces in the Chicago area by the Chicago Tribune.”
Why then would the Trib bestow that distinction if school conditions are so decrepit as you would have people believe? I’ll sit down while I wait for your answer.
Have you considered, for just a moment, that the educators and administrators in 220 have created a great working and learning environment in spite of the leaky roofs, faulty air conditioning, leaky windows, unsafe trailers, outdated technology, crowded classrooms, and more? There are always tradeoffs, but we’ve reached a point where the operating budget can’t keep up with the needed maintenance and repairs. Talk to parents, students, and teachers go tour the schools and you will perhaps gain a different perspective than the one you have today.
My God man! Barrington schools are falling apart? News to me.
Pray tell how did the board of ed ever allow this to happen and why haven’t they be thrown out of office(would be my questions if there was even a shred of truth to this BS).
I voted no for the simple reason I’m really tired of 220’s pity the poor kids lines. Harris needs to be replaced before any one should consider spending a dime more. He’s a con artist and the sooner people wake up to it the sooner he’ll move to his next overprised gig!
Voted yes today. 🙂
Bill is right!