Two months ago, a headline in the Daily Herald read, “District 220 seeks $64 million tax hike for new auditorium, curriculum improvements.” The photo and caption appear above.
Straightforward, right? Apparently not.
That’s clearly not the primary marketing message District 220 wanted to convey now. In fact, a recent post by 220 lead with:
“A successful referendum in November will provide the district with an opportunity to further enhance safety and security at all Barrington 220 schools.”
There was no mention of an auditorium or curriculum improvement whatsoever.
Plus, a recent post on X mirrored that message:
Obviously, the highly paid 220 spin consultants have shifted their messages (featuring cheerleaders no less) to appeal to voters by diverting their attention, and we have issues with that.
However, we won’t go there. Instead, aside from a few editorials and edited District 220 posts, The Observer would like to present the following objective headlines/stories since the last 220 election to refresh your memories…
“Our Atrium: the heart of nowhere” – Posted by The Barrington Hills Observer October 19, 2024, published by THE ROUNDUP, February 23, 2024
“What message are you spinning to taxpayers 220?” – The Barrington Hills Observer, October 17, 2024
“Politics for sale: Big money floods Illinois campaigns with few rules and little enforcement” – Chicago Tribune September 1, 2024
“District 220 seeks $64 million tax hike for new auditorium, curriculum improvements” – Daily Herald August 24, 2024
“How’s my community? Measures of how your piece of Illinois is doing.” – Illinois Policy Institute July 22, 2024
“The big myth that needs debunking: Illinois needs more money for education – Wirepoints Special Report” – May 25, 2024
(Click on graphic to enlarge)
“New 2023 School Report Cards reveal to parents Illinois’ dismal student outcomes“ – Wirepoints May 21, 2024
“Illinois has MORE educators, LESS students than ever, yet officials complain about a ‘teacher shortage’” – Wirepoints May 15, 2024
“One big reason it’s hard to track Illinois’ educational failures. Officials keep changing the standardized tests.” Wirepoints March 25, 2024
“Study: Illinois’ spending per student is one of highest in the country” – The Center Square February 28, 2024
“Why are Americans becoming more stupid? Our entire education system needs a revolution” – UnHeard February 26, 2024
“District 220 Board to form Referendum Advisory Committee in 2024“ District 220 update December 21, 2023
“District 220 Board approves estimated 2023 tax levy (6.3%)” – District 220 update on November 27, 2023
“220 Board plans to form referendum advisory committee to gain fine, visual & performing arts feedback” – District 220 update November 8, 2023
“Barrington School District teachers to get raise, more time for leave and parent-teacher conferences withnew union pact” – Pioneer Press November 6, 2023
“5 facts they don’t want you to know about Illinois’ 2023 student test results” – Wirepoints October 31, 2023
“North suburban homeowners seeing biggest property tax increase in 30 years, treasurer’s analysis finds” – Chicago Tribune October 30, 2023
“District 220 enrollment numbers continue to decline” – District 220 update October 18, 2023
“District 220 to offer ‘free’ full-day kindergarten” District 220 October 18, 2023
“ACT test scores for US students drop to new 30-year low” Associated Press October 11, 2023
“District 220 Board begins review of possibilities for new fine, visual & performing arts spaces at BHS (3 options)” District 220 update October 4, 2023
“Low 3rd-grade literacy is warning for future learning, earning potential” – Illinois Policy Institute October 2, 2023
“How Illinois public school measures fail to add up” – Illinois Policy Institute September 27, 2023
“New Illinois law ‘closes’ loophole to prevent sexual grooming of students” – The Center Square August 8, 2023
“New Illinois law allows ten (10) paid days off from teaching for union work” – Illinois Policy Institute June 16, 2023
“Over 4 of 5 Illinois law makers get money from Teachers Unions” – Illinois Policy Institute June 14, 2023
AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File
“Pritzker signs law stripping libraries that ban books from state funding” – The Center Square June 12, 2023
“Illinois has more graduates but with lower scores, fewer heading to college” Illinois Policy Institute June 1, 2023
“District 220’s private equity campaign” – The Barrington Hills Observer May 9, 2023
“New Board of Education sworn into office” – District 220 update May 4, 2023
“‘We have a lot of healing to do’: Incumbents hanging on in contentious Barrington 220 race” – Daily Herald April 6, 2023
Considering all of this, we have one question for voters: “What components in CUSD 220’s $64M Referendum actually addresses getting student’s education and scores back on track?”