2016 Teacher Salaries in McHenry County Schools

Wish later statistics were available, but the information is still interesting. Besides the average salaries, the percentage of school operating budgets that go for teachers’ salaries is provided. The highest average teacher salary is found in Crystal Lake High School … Continue reading

Hoffman Estates Delays Residential TIF District

The arguments made by Algonquin School District 300 and Barrington School District 200 (see article yesterday) must have had some impact on the Hoffman Estates Village Board. District 300 Superintendent Frederick Heid writes, The Hoffman Estates residential TIF proposed for … Continue reading

Districts 220 & 300 Fight Hoffman Estates TIF District

Algnoquin School District 300 is a veteran at fighting Tax Increment Financing Districts. It took on Sears when it wanted an extension of its original TIF District subsidy. The District carried the fight to Springfield and made the eventual extension … Continue reading

Nicole Beyer’s Campaign Piece for the District 300 School Board

Algonquin Township Trustee Melissa Sanchez-Fischer is a strong supporter of District 300 School Board candidate Nicole Beyer. She sent a copy of Beyer’s campaign piece, which I am pleased to publish below. Other candidates on a McHenry County ballot are … Continue reading

Susan Handlesman Reflects on Teachers’ Union Candidates’ Night

From Woodstock District 200 Board candidate Susan Handlesman: Tuesday night’s D200 Candidates Forum hosted by Woodstock Teachers Incumbent candidates expressed an attitude of staying the course to provide excellent education  to the students, and satisfaction over their efforts on the … Continue reading

Tryon Reports

The end of session report from State Rep. Mike Tryon: New FY17 Spending Bills will Enable Full K-12 School Operations for Entire School Year SB 2047. Some elements of the package appropriated money so that it could be legally used … Continue reading

Retired D300 Supt. 18th Highest School Pension

From Reboot Illinois: 18. Norman Wetzel • Title: District Superintendent • Employer: CUSD 300 • Annual Pension: $246,521 • Employee Contributions: $179,203 • Age at Retirement: 55 (Retired June 2002) • Pension Paid to Date: $2.50 million • *Estimated Lifetime … Continue reading

Legislators Visiting Jacobs HS Next Tuesday Night

An invitation for Algonquin School District 300: Community Invited to D300 Legislative Forum on February 23 at Jacobs High School Community Unit School District 300’s Board Community Engagement Committee will host The District 300 Legislative Forum at Jacobs High School on … Continue reading

Tryon Points to Potential Loss in State Aid to Education

A press release from State Rep. Mike Tryon:  Representative Mike Tryon Asks Residents to File Official Objections to SB16 through www.ilga.gov<http://www.ilga.gov/> Web Site CRYSTAL LAKE….. State Representative Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake), concerned about a committee hearing [on Novmber 18th] that … 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

Tryon Warns of Massive State Aid to Education Cuts

A message from State Rep. Mike Tryon: A controversial and dangerous bill has cleared the Illinois Senate and was delivered to the House of Representatives this morning. Senate Bill 16 seeks to fundamentally change the school funding formula for Illinois … 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