The Press Release Announcing District 47 Supt. Donn Mendoza’s Resignation

Dr. Kathy Hinz has been named Acting Superintendent of Crystal Lake District 47 after last night’s parting of the ways with Dr. Donn Mendoza. The press release issued follows: STATEMENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CRYSTAL LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT … Continue reading

Comparing McHenry County’s Top Educators’ Salaries

This past weekend when I posted the salary of McHenry County College President Vicky Smith, I wondered what the salaries of the school superintendents in McHenry County are. A friend of McHenry County Blog did the research and sent me … Continue reading

Crystal Lake Grade School Supt. Says School Closing Study Won’t Be Ready for for Months

Yesterday Crystal Lake Elementary School Superintendent Donn Mendoza sent Crystal Lake Library Director Kathryn Martens the following email: “Attached is the operational information you requested. “As per our discussion, last night, our Board directed me to commence a study and … Continue reading

Suicide Averted on Crystal Lake’s Uteg Street at Hampton Court Apartments

A press release has come from the Crystal Lake Police Department concerning the morning activity on Uteg Street.  It follows: On October 31, 2012, at 9:01 a.m., the Crystal Lake Police were contacted by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center … Continue reading

Crystal Lake Middle Schoolers to Attend Rachel’s Challenge Anti-Bullying Assemblies

An email from District 47 Superintendent Donn Mendoza: Subject: Exciting Opportunity for District 47’s Middle School Students and Families Dear District 47 Middle School Families: The purpose for this correspondence is to inform you that all three District 47 middle … Continue reading

Crystal Lake Grade School District Asks Taxpayers’ Help to Fight Their Self-Interest

A email has been sent this morning soliciting parental opposition to State Rep. Jack Franks’ bill to prohibit the collection of more property tax dollars when assessments go down. Apparently Superintendent Donn Mendoza and School Board President Jeff Mason were … Continue reading

Attempted Central High School Girl Abduction

The following email arrived at 3:04 PM. I was alerted to look for something by District 47’s Communications Director Lori Parrish’s having robo-called to tell me the same information. Forewarned, etc. Alert Name: Attempted Child Abduction Alert Type: High Importance … Continue reading

President Barack Obama Scheduled to Speak by Satellite to Crystal Lake Grade Schoolers

Imagine my surprise when an alert Crystal Lake South Elementary School parent emailed me that District 47 was going to allow President Barack Obama to speak to its students on September 8th. Sure, I’m just too much of a cynic. … Continue reading

South School Parent Writes City Council, District 47 Board

South School parent Paul Greenlee, whose family lives on Bennington, has forwarded my story about the Crystal Lake Police Department’s ticket writing “fenzy” (his word) to Mayor Aaron Shepley, the city council and District 47 board members. I thought you … Continue reading