UPDATE: We recently received tangible commitments from BHS for STEM student groups to use and help design the new STEAM space. While the investment is very small compared to the overall ARTs investment, there is some advancement in STEM for the High School. (Read below on district shortcomings)
IF you believe the BHS ARTs program needs major investment, VOTE YES for the 220 referendum. STEM is still lacking investment/focus in district 220 but the 2024 referendum does offers some STEM progress.
We love our Barrington community and school district, but increasing taxes to enhance something we already have, instead of investing in something we need, is the wrong direction.
No STEAM
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) is just hot air and a catch-all with no real focus. We want a STEM-focused initiative from the District 220 school system to at least match the offerings of surrounding communities. We love the Arts, but STEM receives little to no attention from our school district. The BHS Arts department has an advanced workshop facility, which they do not allow other departments to use.
STEM needs our attention.
Prepare students for the Future
The future of our economy and the world is heavily dependent on technology. AI, robotics, and technology are essential skills for our Barrington community students as they prepare to enter the professional workforce. We have a wonderful athletic program and an excellent arts program, so why can’t we do the same with STEM?
Encourage a passion for STEM
Imagine celebrating STEM competitions and accomplishments the way we do for athletics. STEM competitions are the only team sport where everyone has the potential to go professional!
What are the Basic STEM offerings by neighboring districts?
-
Lake Zurich District 95
Lake Zurich has a STEM lab where students build robots for competitions, use state-of-the-art machinery to bring their ideas to life, and engage with a professional engineering community to gain knowledge and career advice.
-
Arlington Heights Area District 214
District 214 has a strong STEM program that encourages the celebration of STEM competitions in a manner similar to how athletics are celebrated. They have two advanced robotics teams, each with over 50 members. District 214 has integrated classroom training for STEM, extending robotics competitions to give classroom learning a clear purpose. District 214 celebrates students’ STEM competition accomplishments to motivate them to continue their learning journey. The teams have been nationally showcased by both NASA and Disney’s Star Wars.
-
Naperville District 203
Naperville decided to start a STEM robotics program in all of their middle schools several years ago. Naperville middle schoolers compete in the same program (FTC) as our Barrington High School teams. Naperville offers an advanced robotics program (FIRST Robotics Competition - FRC) to their high school students. Barrington needs to redirect the school districts priorities.
What is needed for our school district to minimally match our neighboring school district STEM offerings?
✅ PLTW (Project Lead The Way) Illinois program
✅ Science Olympiads (HS)
✅ Math Team (HS)
☐ Build a STEM lab for hands-on construction of Robotics and AI projects. There is a small portion of the referendum dollars to help with this but details are sparse.
☐ Offer advanced AI coding curriculum currently offered at several Illinois Schools.
☐ Give purpose to the classroom STEM education by offering support for STEM teams.
☐ First Lego League (FLL) Teams for all elementary schools
☐ First Technology Challenge (FTC) teams in all middle schools – Most area districts offer this program to their middle school students. Barrington does not, however, offers this program as their most advanced robotics offering at the high school level. Did you know that Prairie Middle School had over 45 students try out for a 6-person robotics team, only to cancel the team? Forty-five students were excited about learning and competing with their STEM knowledge, and we, as a community, said no. What message does the district send to our students when we make decisions like this?
☐ Advanced Robotics Team run by High School, First Robotics Competition (FRC) – FRC is the highest level of robotics competition available for Illinois high school students. Most high schools in our area have a team, and some have two teams. There are 60 FRC teams in Illinois. Former District Superintendent Dr. Hunt helped start an FRC team two years ago at BHS. ‘I’d love to see BHS be known for both their football and robotics teams.’ With Dr. Hunt gone, the district has decided to pull official support for this program. Once again, despite strong student interest in a STEM competition, the district is pulling away from this type of investment. BHS has recently committed to fixing this problem over the coming years.
☐ Fun battlebot competitions with neighboring High Schools - Hersey HS has a battlebot arena at their school. We would like to see casual team participate at Hersey Highs School.
☐ Engage with community STEM professionals to help students learn and explore future professions. This enables our students to determine which career path they want to pursue after high school.
☐ Possibly set a goal to offer above and beyond what the surrounding districts already do in STEM?
FRC Robotics Competition Video
We love our BHS arts programs
Each creative activity prompt is an opportunity for our students to embrace a new challenge. Through hands-on learning, they are more likely to stay engaged and develop their creative problem-solving skills. In the past, STEM programs have requested to share space with the theater group and were consistently denied. The theater department also has its own workshop, which is not shared with STEM groups. This is why STEAM will not work in the current plan beyond enhancing what we already have. We recently received commitments that the new space will not be run like the previous space and will be for all STEM groups to leverage.
We love our Athletics Department
Athletics are important for students because they promote physical health, teamwork, and discipline, which are essential life skills. Engaging in sports helps students develop a strong sense of commitment, as they must manage their time between academics and extracurricular activities. Athletics also foster social connections and friendships, providing a sense of community and belonging. Through sports, students learn the value of setting goals, working hard to achieve them, and handling both success and failure with grace. In addition, participation in athletics can boost students’ confidence, improve their mental health, and teach them leadership and communication skills that benefit them throughout life.
Overall Tax Outlook
The previously approved 2020 referendum funds were primarily allocated to improving BHS athletic facilities and constructing a new meeting room at the front of BHS. The 2020 allocation represented only 25% of the anticipated overall spending of $500-$600 million expected over time. In 2024, an additional $64 million is being requested, primarily for the construction of a new theater. If approved, the 2020 and 2024 allocations together will account for only 35% ($214 million) of the total requested spending.
The 2024 request of $64 million (approximately 15% of the total) would increase the average home tax bill by $236 per year. This suggests an additional future request equating to a $1,337.33 average household tax increase (in today’s dollars) per year, on top of the $236 requested for this year. This would bring the total average property tax increase for 2025 and beyond to $1,573.33 per year to meet the full $600 million funding request.
2024 Referendum
“Shall the Board of Education of Barrington Community Unit School District Number 220, Lake, Cook, Kane and McHenry Counties, Illinois, build and equip an auditorium and an addition at the Barrington High School Building; alter, repair and equip existing buildings, including but not limited to installing safety and security improvements, improving STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) labs, science classrooms, fine arts classrooms and music rooms, installing energy-efficient mechanical systems and replacing windows, doors and flooring; improve school sites; and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $64,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?”
There is very little STEM investment in this referendum. STEM needs district focus to at least match neighboring school districts. We want a tangible plan and focus.
