March 20, 2012 - Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
. . .
Summer snafus to budget reviews...Tell us how you feel
From the summer school registration malfunction this week to discussions about class sizes and moderate budget adjustments, the school district wants to know how you feel. Through spring vacation, an online community survey is being independently conducted that allows residents to share candid opinions on district performance in several areas. A community conversation will also be held April 10 at the Barrington Area Library from 10 to 11:30 a.m. if residents would like to have a cup of coffee and ask questions of Superintendent of Schools Tom Leonard and members of the Board of Education.
. . .
Several BHS athletic teams recognized for state successes
At the March 20 Board of Education meeting, four Barrington High School athletic teams were acknowledged for recent accomplishments at the state level. The varsity wrestling team took fourth in the state tournament, the varsity cheerleaders captured second in the state co-ed division, the varsity Broncettes dance squad took first and second at the state finals, and the varsity girls golf team achieved a 3.59 cumulative grade-point average during the 2011-12 season, qualifying them for the Illinois High School Association Team Academic Achievement Award.
. . .
Board finalizes budget adjustments for 2012-13 fiscal year
Concluding several weeks of balanced budget talks, the Board of Education approved its list of fiscal adjustments for 2012-13. Among many items, the Board voted to preserve the Chinese Immersion program, approved a new joint busing contract to retain the Barrington Transportation Company with a new partner that will save at least $730,000 over two years, accepted bids on approximately $1 million in summer capital projects, and authorized $250,000 in annual technology infrastructure upgrades for the next five years. The Board also added two teachers to reduce class sizes at North Barrington Elementary next year as well as four contingency positions should larger enrollments warrant adding teachers to manage class sizes in other schools.

While Barrington 220 keeps reserve funds as a safeguard, the board remains fiscally conservative and is dedicated to preserving a balanced budget. Since 2008-09, the board has trimmed roughly $6 million in recurring annual expenses to avoid deficit spending.
. . .
Year-end transitions mean some leaders leave, others arrive
As the school year nears its conclusion, July 1 is the traditional transition date when some administrators depart for new opportunities, while their successors arrive to begin new leadership. Since 2006, Gary Frisch has been the chief financial officer for Barrington 220, leading the school district to achieve a national Meritorious Budget Award and a coveted AAA Strong rating from Standard and Poors Financial Rating Service. Frisch leaves Barrington 220 to become assistant superintendent for Finance and Operations in School District 181 in Burr Ridge, Ill.

Frisch will be succeeded by Tim Neubauer, who arrives July 1 as the new assistant superintendent for Business Services in Barrington 220. Neubauer is currently the assistant superintendent for Business and Finance in the 17,000-student, three-county School District 308 of Oswego, Ill., where he has served since 2009. He has previous experience in school finance and management with School District 155 in Crystal Lake and ServiceMaster Management Services. In addition to his advanced degrees in education and business administration, Neubauer also holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Finally, Rick Aceves, the director of English Language Learning and Title I programs in Barrington 220 since 2006, is leaving to become principal of Walt Whitman Elementary School in Wheeling District 211 effective July 1. Aceves has guided expansion of the Spanish Dual Language program in Barrington 220 and was involved in development of the Chinese Immersion curriculum.
. . .
Language program options still open for students next year
Improving financial variables coupled with a commitment by the Board of Education will enable expansion of the Spanish Dual Language program into the middle schools and allowed approval by Board members to continue the Chinese Immersion program beyond this school year. Parents considering Chinese Immersion for their child can find details on the program and the extended enrollment deadline at barrington220.org. Information on the Spanish Dual Language program is also updated frequently at barrington220.org.