Round Lake District 116

When I first moved to the Round Lake area my children were just starting school. At the time, the Junior High School was operating on a triple-shift schedule. Over time, a new High School was built and the old High School became what is now known as Magee Middle School. We lived in Round Lake Park and my kids attended Murphy Elementary School. Around 1978, we built a new home in Round Lake Beach and the kids transferred to Beach Elementary School.

All three kids went through the Round Lake school system and after attending the two year program at College of Lake County, they continued their education at a higher level at various colleges. I have nothing but good things to say about the Round Lake school system. My kids all played in the band program under the leadership of a wonderful lady, whose name slips my mind, as well as the marching band director. While in Junior High, I went as a chaperon to Florida where the band won FIRST PLACE against High School bands! We can all remember arriving back in the area when we were met by local police and fire trucks in the wee hours of the morning blaring their sirens as we drove down Rt. 134 heading to the Junior High School. That was what it was all about back them, team spirit and family involvement. Those days can once again return as we attempt to take over control of the district from the State authority. But, as residents and parents, we MUST get involved whether it be demanding better education for our children or simply helping out as home room assistants.

The one thing that sticks out in my mind is the way that the referendum for the reconstruction of Magee Middle School was handled. The State authority, rather than force a huge burden on us, gave the taxpayers three options to vote on. This made us feel a part of the process and they were able to pass the referendum when most villages were turning them down. All we ask is to be included, and they gave us that opportunity. I would hope that this continues as we move forward with control over local taxing powers. When Cliff Houghton was Superintendent the District ended up mired in debt, building a new school off Nippersink with poorly based future enrolment figures. If it weren’t for SEDOL (Special Education District of Lake County) utilizing the building, it probably would have been boarded up.

It’s YOUR School District and YOUR Community and YOUR responsibility to get involved just like my wife and I did back in the 80’s and 90’s when my children attended the schools

With the opportunity to finally take over the reins of Round Lake Area Unit District 116, here are several things that the local elected officials will need to do:

1) Hire their very own Superintendent. This will be crucial since it will take the right person to maintain the success that the State authority had.

2) With the State budget in a mess, it will be essential that the new superintendent and the Board keep the District solvent since it relies so heavily on state funding. Protecting the 25 million dollars in the education fund should be a priority and finding other sources of revenue a challenge. We all know how quickly a savings account can get eaten up through unwise decisions.

3) With all the elementary and middle schools failing to reach the States minimum standards, improving academic performance should also be a major priority.

As residents of the Round Lake areas, we all have a stake in the success of District 116 and our future generation of graduates. It’s time to seize the moment of this wonderful opportunity and GET INVOLVED. We will be monitoring the upcoming decision of the State as well as the potential candidates for the position of Superintendent.

Being on this list is not a complement to the school administrators or something to be proud of by the teaching staff. Inclusion on the High Priority School List means that the school is under performing and usually in the lowest 5% in achievements over the last three years (2007-2009) based on the Prairie State Exam. Along with making the list of 181 lowest achieving schools, all received a notice from the State that they need to make improvements.

Round Lake Senior High School is currently the only Lake County high school making the list of suburban schools along with four other schools in Elgin and Dundee including Elgin High School, Larkin High School, Streamwood High School, and Dundee-Crown High School. Although it is certainly nothing to be proud of, it does give greater access to Federal stimulus funds available through the U.S. Secretary of Education’s office.

With approximately $200 to $400 million in federal funding available from the federal Race To The Top funds, the 181 schools could possibly wind up receiving half of it. The goal of the funds is to improve schools through educational reforms and improve student achievements. The schools on the recent list would need to opt-in to receive the funds but many school officials who just learned that they made the list wonder what strings are attached. Chief Executive Officer, Ben Martindale from Round Lake Area School District 116, feels that getting the funding would be beneficial but is one of those looking cautiously at what additional work may be involved. Previous stimulus money has yet to be received to pay for new programs.

January 19th is when all applications must be received for the Illinois Race To The Top and those who are awarded funds will be announced in April.