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
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
I drove around Cary today taking photos of signs. There seemed to be Hauck signs all over the place. It didn’t hit me that there were three with that last name running for office until I got to the intersection … Continue reading
Late last week, the Northwest Herald praised Crystal Lake School District 155 and its four elementary school feeder districts for holding a meeting for a meeting for all grade and high school teachers. Nothing wrong with that. Articulation between the … Continue reading
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
The Northwest Herald reported Friday that Cary Elementary School District 26’s Board decided to take from the property taxpayers next year every dime allowed by the Property Tax Cap. That’s an increase of 1.5% over what was extracted this year. … Continue reading
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
Taken from a statement from the Cary Elementary School Board:. Considering House Speaker Mike Madigan is insistent on transferring teacher pension costs to local taxpayers and this is the last week of the legislative session before extraordinary majorities are required, … Continue reading
I’ve been remiss on looking at school board election results…probably because I don’t know as much about them as about the races about which I written. Today I looked at McHenry Grade School District 15’s results and discovered that School … Continue reading
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
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
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
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
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
A press release from state Senator Pam Althoff: Fifth Grade Students to Tour Golden Oaks Farm October 18, 19, and 20 Students from throughout McHenry County will join Illinois State Senator Pamela J. Althoff (R- Crystal Lake) for a hands-on … Continue reading
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
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
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
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
Even since the Huntley School Board decided to share teacher negotiation details with taxpayer-voters on its web site, I have been watching for some other district to follow suit. Carpentersville District 300, which approved a contract without publishing its contents, … Continue reading
