Barrington Area Unit District 220 has a plan for a return to hybrid learning Jan. 19, citing revised guidance from the Lake County Health Department and the anticipation that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available for educators sometime next month.
The Jan. 19 date accounts for keeping schools closed for a period after winter break, as advised by the health department due to expected travel and gatherings, Superintendent Brian Harris told the school board Tuesday night.
An online petition asking for Harris’ firing and/or resignation has garnered more than 1,700 signatures, including from outside the district. Harris, who is retiring in June, didn’t return a request for comment regarding the petition.
“The board has received and read the petition,” board President Penny Kazmier said Wednesday. “I understand that these COVID times have been very difficult on everyone, but Dr. Harris continues to have the support of the board of education.”
The board spent five evenings in the last two weeks meeting with superintendent candidates and feels “really good” about the interviews, Kazmier said. The new superintendent is expected to be named in early 2021.
Read more of the Daily Herald report here.
Related: “D220 to offer families choice to participate in Hybrid or Distance Learning starting Jan. 19“
With 4 spots coming up, shouldn’t the Board of Ed let the new members expected in April be a part of the decision on who replaces Harris since the referenced petition and other rumblings around town show a lack of faith in how the current board is acting on behalf of the students and taxpayers?