Local&Region N�w� ����or: K�v�n Lyon� • k�lyon�@�hawm���a.com
8COMMUNITY NEWS
LAKEMOOR TO FLUSH WATER
LAKEMOOR – Lakemoor residents may experience issues with water next week when the water department flushes all of its water systems. The flushing may cause some water discoloration, pressure changes and cloudiness, according to a release from the city’s engineering firm. Call the water department at 847-634-5550 with questions.
SECTION B Thursday, November 29, 2012 Northwest Herald
Breaking news @ www.NWHerald.com
Union: More of the same
Latest D-300 negotiations focus on paying for smaller classes By stePHeN d� BeNedettO sdibenedetto@shawmedia.com CARPENTERSVILLE – The latest bargaining session at District 300 produced little change in negotiations, with finances and class sizes continuing to dominate contract talks, the union president said.
The sides met again Tuesday, nearly a week after the district’s union, LEAD 300, formally filed a strike notice. Teachers can picket beginning Tuesday, but a strike date hasn’t been set, LEAD 300 President Kolleen Hanetho said. She said the latest talks focused
entirely on finances and how to pay for smaller class sizes. The district averages 33 to 37 students in elementary classes. “The issue is the district is unwilling to put any additional funds to lower class sizes,” Hanetho said.
“The issue is the district is unwilling to put any additional funds to lower class sizes.” Kolleen Hanetho LEAD 300 president
See UNION, page B6
– Emily K. Coleman
HOLIDAY MAIL FOR SOLDIERS
8LOCAL BEST BETS
Letters from home
BOAR’S HEAD FEST THIS WEEKEND
MARENGO – The Boar’s Head Festival will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, and at 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church of Marengo, 412 E. Jackson St., Marengo. This is an annual medieval Christmas celebration in which the church is transformed into the manor home of King Wenceslas. A freewill offering will be taken. Tickets are free but require reservations at 815-568-0648 or hagenmuller@att.net. For information, visit www. zionmarengo.net.
Pho�o� by Jo�h P�ckl�r
• jpeckler@shawmedia.com
HOLIDAY FLORAL ideAs At eVeNt
HARVARD – Don Dow of Harvard will present craft and floral ideas for the holiday season from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Harvard Diggins Library, 900 E. McKinley St. Dow will offer tips and ideas on making the holiday a colorful and festive one. All are invited, plus there will be a workshop to make a Noel plaque after the presentation from 2 to 4 p.m. that afternoon. The first 10 who sign up at the library will make the plaque from materials that Dow will supply. All others are invited to watch the presentation and workshop, receive free project guides and enter a raffle. Register for the workshop at the library or call 815-943-4671. Registration is not required for the 1 p.m. presentation.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA SATURDAY
ALGONQUIN – The AlgonquinLake in the Hills Rotary Club will host its annual Breakfast with Santa from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the cafeteria of Westfield School, 2100 Sleepy Hollow Road, Algonquin. The holiday breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, milk, orange juice, coffee and hot chocolate. Participants are encouraged to bring a digital camera for a picture with Santa. The suggested donation is $1 per person or $5 per family. The Jacobs High School Interact Club will provide children’s games and crafts. The Westfield Community School PTO also will sponsor a holiday bazaar from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the school’s large gym. For information, call 815-2452117.
8LOCAL DEATHS Bryan Edward Eubanks 64, Lake in the Hills Mary K. P�rgl�r 91, Crystal Lake K�nn��h A. Vonckx 50, Elgin OBITUARIES on page B5
ABOVe: Jacob� H�gh school ��n�or Par�h Kam�ar work� on ��amp�ng han�wr����n l����r� W��n���ay �ur�ng �h� “Hol��ay Ma�l for H�ro��: Car�� for sol���r�” �v�n� a� �h� Algonqu�n Ar�a Publ�c L�brary. th� l����r� w�ll b� ��n� ov�r��a� �o �ol���r�. tOP: A volun���r wr���� a l����r by han� �o a �ol���r�.
Cash-rich D-2 eyes flat levy D-36 Nippersink also considers giving back some taxes By eMiLY K. COLeMAN ecoleman@shawmedia.com RICHMOND – Nippersink District 2 has been stockpiling money, some of its school board members said at their Wednesday meeting, and they want to give it back. The school board unanimously gave initial approval to a flat levy, which, if given final approval, means the district will bring in the same amount in property taxes that it did last year.
If you go n What: Nippersink District 2 school
board meeting n When: 7 p.m. Dec. 18 n Where: Nippersink Middle School library, 10006 Main St., Richmond Even with a flat levy, Nippersink is set to bring in more money than it spends, board member Sue Maurer said.
Its members also discussed a tax abatement to give back some of the money the district has accumulated. “I think at the end of the day, you need a buffer for the unexpected – but not nuclear war,” board member Mindy Ross said. As of June 30, the district had nearly $10.4 million in savings, with nearly $7.4 million in its three main funds: education, operations and
s�� NiPPeRsiNK, pag� B6
Route 31 done at Klasen, Virginia roads NORTHWEST HERALD ALGONQUIN – Construction on Route 31 at Virginia Road/Klasen Road is complete and all lanes of traffic will be open today, the McHenry County Division of Transportation said. Motorists should expect a slight delay today as traffic signals are turned on, officials said. A small amount of work remains
and will be accomplished in daily lane closures that are expected to last until the middle of December, officials said. The Route 31 improvements will tie into the eventual Western Algonquin Bypass Project. Improvements along Route 31 this year include more than a mile of reconstructed concrete pavement, with four lanes of traffic and dual left-turn lanes at Virginia Road. Vir-
ginia Road also was realigned to increase safety. The Klasen Road and Virginia Road intersections received modernized traffic signals, and a paved bike path was put in along the entire length of the east side of Route 31. More than 2.5 miles of new storm sewer also was installed. Final landscaping for Route 31 will be completed in spring and involve daily lane closures.
outlines 2013-14 tax levy By SHAWN SHINNEMAN sshinneman@shawmedia.com
WONDER LAKE – The District 36 board preliminarily approved a $4.411 million tax levy for the 2013-14 school year, which moves to $4.534 million when estimated bonds and interest are added. The total tax levy for the 2011-12 school year was $4.549 million. It was $4.685 million in 2010-11. The final property tax rate won’t be set until the spring, when property values are finalized. The school board considered two other options at its November meeting. Each would have tinkered with the amount of money levied for the district’s transportation fund. The higher option would have set
s�� LeVY, pag� B6