Board of Education
An update from Barrington 220: November 5, 2020
D220 will extend adaptive pause until Monday, Nov. 16
At its Nov. 4 meeting, the Board of Education discussed several key issues regarding the future of the 20-21 school year and agreed to extend the adaptive pause of the Hybrid mode until Monday, Nov. 16. 

The Board has scheduled a special meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 11 for the purpose of having a closed session to discuss employment matters, collective negotiating matters and litigation matters. The district will provide further communication no later than Thursday, Nov. 12 about the Hybrid status moving forward. 

The 20-21 school year discussion also focused on key issues such as:

  • Exposure and liability: The Board and district leaders will be having more conversations next week to explore options of how Barrington 220 can implement a Hybrid plan moving forward, with consideration of exposure and liability as the virus spreads in the community.

  • Re-opening Metrics Adjustment: The Board may consider adjusting the metrics in the future in order to make in-person instruction feasible.

  • Academic Calendar Adjustment: The Board is not considering adjusting the 20-21 academic calendar at this time.

  • Budget Expectations: The Board will consider spending beyond the FY21 budget in order to safely allow students back into school.

To view the entire discussion, watch this video from 1:21:34 thru 3:58:54.
Student attendance during Hybrid
Across the district, less students attended in-person instruction during the second week of Hybrid at all schools except for Grove Avenue Elementary. At Barrington High School while 67.5% of students indicated in the questionnaire that they planned to participate in Hybrid, during the week of Oct. 19, only 60.7% of students participated. During the week of Oct. 26, the number dropped to 55.5%. There was slightly less variance at the middle school level and attendance was mostly consistent at the elementary level. Click here to view the attendance at each school during Hybrid.
Bus ridership during Hybrid
From Oct. 19 until Oct. 27 the majority of students who indicated that they would ride the bus did not end up riding the bus to school. Barrington High School had about 20% ridership, the middle schools had about 30% ridership and the elementary schools had 30% to 50% ridership. Elementary schools with higher ridership have higher special education program populations. Click here to see the bus ridership at each school during Hybrid.
BHS basketball teams to begin practices
During the 20-21 school year discussion, the Board also reviewed the disconnect between the IHSA and IDPH related to allowing BHS basketball teams to begin their seasons. The Board agreed to allow the BHS Boys and Girls Basketball programs to begin their practices on November 16, while continuing the mitigation efforts that have already been in place during sports camps at BHS. The high school will be working with other schools within the Mid-Suburban League to hold a basketball season whenever it becomes possible. 
Board discusses equity statement
At the Nov. 4 Board meeting, Board members discussed their desire to provide a ​commitment to equity statement that will support Barrington 220's plans to create a more equitable and inclusive school system. For the past several weeks, the Board has been reviewing a draft of its equity statement and anticipates approving it at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
4 Board of Education seats up for election on April 2021 ballot
There will be four school board seats up for election on the April 6, 2021 consolidated election ballot. School Board members serve a four year term. If you're interested in running for a Board seat, former Barrington 220 Board members will be holding a Q&A session on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Pavilion at Citizen's Park. Masks and social distancing will be enforced. Interested community members can also check out the Cook County “Info for Candidates” webpage, as well as the Illinois Association of School Boards website.
 D220 named Top Workplace in Chicago area for 2nd year in a row
In his superintendent report at the Nov. 4 Board meeting, Dr. Harris shared the Chicago Tribune has named Barrington 220 a Top Workplace in the Chicago area. This is the second year in a row Barrington 220 has earned the recognition and it is one of very few school districts to be named a Top Workplace. 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.
Barrington 220 Board of Education
District Administrative Center
515 W. Main Street, Barrington, IL 60010
847.381.6300 | www.barrington220.org