Schermerhorn Reveals School Building Savings Possibilities

In her letter to McHenry County Board Finance and Audit Committee members last week, there were suggestions of how local taxpayers might save money in meeting the housing needs of students. School expansion. Alden-Hebron Unit District Does Alden-Hebron really need … Continue reading

Alden-Hebron Unit District Teachers Pay $661 per Year in Union Dues

The forty teachers in Alden-Hebron Unit District 19 are all members of the local Illinois Education Association union. All of them are members of the teachers’ union. Each pays $33.05  in dues each pay period. That’s $661 per person or … Continue reading

$661 per Year Paid to IEA by Alden-Hebron School District Employees

There are forty members of the Illinois Education affiliate representing Alden-Hebron Unit School District 19 employees. Each pays $661 per year in union dues. Assuming all work the full year, the IEA would receive $26,440.   … Continue reading

Treatment and Life Saving Results of County Drug Effort

From the Office of McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Patrick Kenneally: 127 PARTICIPANTS HAVE ACCESSED TREATMENT VIA THE A WAY OUT -MCHENRY COUNTY PROGRAM SINCE OPENING ON MAY 1, 2017 The McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition is proud to announce that … Continue reading

Comparing School Tax Totals – 2015 and 2016 Collections

Schools are the tax districts that take most money in every part of McHenry County. Below is a comparison of what was levied last year for collection this year and what was asked for the year before. Thanks again to … Continue reading

McHenry County Schools Asking for 1.23% More This Year

Below you can see what McHenry County school districts will be asking to extract from your checking or escrow accounts this year. You will note that all of them put together are requesting 1.23% more, although the rate of inflation … Continue reading

Hebron Mayor Arrested on Drug Charges

This week will be one residents of Hebron will remember. This morning the Northwest Herald in its new tabloid format highlighted the Alden-Hebron School Board’s agreeing to buy a new 80-acre school site from former School Board member Daniel Walters, … Continue reading

School Stats including Cost per Classroom

Here are some 2013 McHenry County school statistics–average expenditure per pupil and per classroom, plus average teach salary–to ponder. They were calculated by a Friend of McHenry County Blog. I don’t think I have seen average spending per classroom for … Continue reading

Taxes for Schools, This Year & Last Year

Since schools comprise the bulk of property tax dollars, I thought some might be interested in seeing how they changed from last year to this year. Although the percentage change column is labeled “% Change + of -” the first … Continue reading

Those Interested Enough in Running for School Board to Pick Up Petitions

Petitions for school boards are being handed out by the McHenry County Clerk’s Office this year. Those getting them have an opportunity to sign their names and put other information on a legal pad. You see the results from earlier … Continue reading

Comparing How Schools Spend Our Money, Plus the Richmond-Burton High School Contract Impasse

There is an impasse between the school board and the teachers union in Richmond’s high school district. Each side had to submit the latest version of what it wants to a state web site. The union’s desires can be found … Continue reading

McHenry County Tax Take Up by 1.5% or $12 Million

Last year McHenry County real estate taxpayers were billed $797,419,250.88. This year the McHenry County Clerk’s Office has determined that bills amounting to $809,385,180.76 will be issued. That’s a dollar increase of $11,965,930, a percentage increase of 1.5%. The Property … Continue reading

Fast Facts for McHenry County High Schools

The Illinois State Board of Education has released its Report Cards for schools. I have extracted summary data images for high schools in McHenry County, which you can see below. … Continue reading

MCC Remedial English by High School Districts

Yesterday, McHenry County Blog published the percentage of incoming freshmen at McHenry County College require remedial math classes. The best high school district was Huntley’s at 46% needing help to be able to take a college course. Today, we look … Continue reading

Math Problems at Local High Schools

You can see the data above. But, just to make sure people can use a search engine to find out how well each McHenry County College high school prepares its students who attend McHenry County College in math, I’ll type … Continue reading

$3.8 Million in Local School Employee Union Dues of Local School Employees

McHenry County Blog has surveyed school districts with major presences in McHenry County and discovered that union employees paid $3.8 million in dues during calendar year 2010. The total amount was $3,825,572. Contracts are typically for more than one year … Continue reading