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

Teacher Salary Spikes

The Chicago Tribune’s Education superb Reporter Diane Rado has examined the cost to local taxpayers of school boards that increased teachers’ salaries more than allowed by law just before they retired.  Her main article can be found here. Reported in … 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

28 Write-In Candidacies Surface, Shepley Challenged by Chadwick

The biggest is the write-in challenge of Sascha Chadwick to Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley. As McHenry County Blog reported the night it happened, Shepley managed to convince his fellow City Council members that Chadwick, a CPA and entrepreneur.  (See … Continue reading

Replay: School Consolidation Would Cost Taxpayers Plenty

With the Chicago Tribune pumping for school consolidation in its editorial on education, I thought it was time to re-run the article I wrote almost four years ago when Governor Pat Quinn advanced the idea. The numbers will have changed … 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

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

School Districts 26, 47 & 155 Pull the Plug for School on Tuesday

Post-Christmas vacation depression for Crystal Lake High School District 155 students has been delayed until Wednesday. A phone call that started out a bit rough from Superintendent Johnnie Thomas announced mid-day that schools would be closed Tuesday, as well as … Continue reading

Crystal Lake, Cary and FRG Grade School Districts Closed Monday

From Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47: School Closing for Jan 6th Kathy Hinz, Superintendent of Schools for District 47 – As you may know, record wind chills and low temperatures are expected to arrive in McHenry County this evening … Continue reading

Cary School Board Candidate Comes Out in Favor of Higher Taxes

Here’s an odd situation. Scott Epstein, who is running on slate with Jen Crick and Bruce Ritter for the Cary District 26 Grade School Board, came out in favor pf higher taxes in his Daily Herald Questionnaire: “I do think … Continue reading

Teacher Pension Tax Shift – State Reps. Oppose, District 47 Board President Jeff Mason Seems Resigned to Extra Local Burden

At last night Illinois Policy Institute forum on teacher pensions, one question from Northwest Herald News Editor Kevin Lyons had to do with House Minority Leader Tom Cross’ having characterized a shift in tax burden from the state taxpayer to … Continue reading

Cary and Fox River Grove Grade School Distrricts Contemplate Merger Study

That’s what seems to be behind this innocuous looking agenda item on the Cary District 26’s School Board Agenda tonight: 10. Topics for Discussion 10.2 Consolidation Feasibility Study We have it on our agenda as “to discuss discussing about merging … Continue reading

Cary School District 26 Contract Press Release

Here’s the press release about the teachers’ contract which the Cary School Board ratified last night: District 26 Board Ratifies Teacher Contract November 1, 2011 The Board of Education of Cary Community Consolidated School District 26 announced today that they … Continue reading

Cary Grade School Teacher Contract Settlement Reached, But Details Kept Secret

A press release from Cary Elementary School District 26: Board and CEA Reach Tentative Agreement on All Issues The Board of Education of Cary Community Consolidated School District 26 and the Cary Education Association, which represents the teachers in labor … Continue reading

What’s Being Released to the Public about Cary Grade School Teachers’ Contract

Here’s what’s on the web site: Joint Press Release Cary BOE and CEA posted 5 hours ago by Caryil d26 The Board of Education of Cary Community Consolidated School District 26 and The Cary Education Association which represents the teachers … Continue reading

District 26 School Board and Teachers Union Meeting Tonight

The teachers in Cary Grade Schools are teaching. They could be striking as the School Board imposed a contract on them. But, they’re not striking. They want to talk more. The meeting is at the Cary Junior High. = = … Continue reading

Cary School Teachers Don’t Strike

Wednesday was the first day of school and teachers were not striking. They were asking for more negotiations. Maybe there will be a meeting next week. … Continue reading

Cary Grade School Board Imposes “Last Best” Offer Terms on School Teachers, Strike a Possibility

A press release from Cary Elementary School District 26: Board Imposes Last Best Offer for the Start of School The Cary District 26 School Board regrets to announce that it has been unable to reach a negotiated agreement with the … Continue reading

Cary Grade School Board Member Chris Jenner to Speak at Patriots United MCC Meeting Thursday Night

This email about tonight’s Patriots United meeting on Education Reform contains some details about the impasse between the Cary Grade School Board and its teachers union.: RE: Important information from Patriots United – Education Reform panel discussion this Thursday Dear … Continue reading