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D-155 hears class rank feedback Proposal to eliminate its use draws few critics in series of forums By EMILY K. COLEMAN ecoleman@shawmedia.com CRYSTAL LAKE – With all the stressors weighing on kids, Kim Fleer just couldn’t see getting rid of one potential stressor – and one honor that highlights students’ academic success. Fleer, the mother of a junior at Prairie Ridge High
Dispute holds up payment of bills Marengo mayor, alderman at odds over $855 expense
by Community High School District 155 on the proposed elimination of class rank. The turnout was the best the district had, said Corey Tafoya, the district’s assistant superintendent of educational services. Tafoya laid out the proposed policy’s progression from an idea presented by a Crystal Lake South High
Voice your opinion Do you think high school students should be ranked in their graduating class? Vote online at NWHerald.com.
School, was one of about a half dozen parents who attended the last of four forums hosted
School teacher, to consideration by district and building leadership and eventually all the teachers and staff, to a presentation to the public and consideration by the school board. The board’s curriculum, staff development and student services committee will discuss the issue at its meeting Wednesday evening – and
Lena Rode (left) and Chris Caldarella, both of Crystal Lake, work on homework before their Computer-Aided Design Graphics 1 class at McHenry County College. Both Rode and Caldarella took the class to upgrade their skills.
so, Tafoya emphasized, the proposal is not a done deal although the feedback from students, teachers and colleges has been consistently positive. The district’s reasoning centered on four points, Prairie Ridge Principal Steve Koch said. At the top of the list was the concern that inclusion of class
rank can hurt students – especially for those at a competitive school like Prairie Ridge where 93 percent of students go to college – in the college admissions process, he said. Koch compared a hypothetical District 155 student with a 3.93 grade-point average, a 26 on the ACT and five Advanced
See D-155, page A5
A MIX OF YOUNG AND OLDER
By STEPHEN Di BENEDETTO sdibenedetto@shawmedia.com MARENGO – A lone alderman’s objections over an $855 bill to an engineering firm has held up approval on all $158,666 in bills Marengo city staffers need to pay this month. During a City Council meeting Monday, Alderman Dennis Hammortree raised issue with an $855 bill for work McHenry-based H.R. Green performed earlier this winter on the city’s western annexation plans, which officials postponed last month over pollution concerns tied to a nearby manufacturer. The bill was a part of a routine agenda item – the monthly list of bills MarenDon Lockhart g o s t a f f e r s need to pay on time to avoid late fees and maintain good standing with city vendors. Working without numerous aldermen Monday, the shorthanded council voted 3-1 to approve the bills list, with Hammortree casting the lone “no” vote. But the item still needed a typical council majority – four votes – even with four other aldermen absent. The authorization delay underscores Hammortree’s obstructionist actions on the council that the seven other aldermen usually override, Mayor Don Lockhart said. “But given the unique situation where four council members were absent, rather routine council decisions were blocked by one no vote,” Lockhart said. “The city’s commitment to pay our bills has been delayed by alderman Hammortree.” Hammortree said he never intended to delay approval on all of the city’s bills. He wanted the property owners behind the annexations to pay the H.R. Green bill, since the
See DISPUTE, page A5
Photos by Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
Shannon Schroeder, 31, of Marengo listens to the teacher during his Computer-Aided Design Graphics 1 class Wednesday at McHenry County College. Schroeder is in the fast-track program and is working toward a degree in manufacturing management.
Enrollment of nontraditional students at MCC fluctuates with economy sifies as ages 25 and older – to either re-train for new jobs or to pursue a dream job they decided can be a CRYSTAL LAKE – The sight of reality with time, study and hard older students is a common one at work. But the Great Recession that community colleges, and McHenry hit McHenry County and Illinois County College is no exception. hard resulted in an uptick as older Community colleges have al- workers found themselves without ways been a place for “nontradi- jobs and the skill sets needed to find tional students” – which MCC clas- new ones.
By KEVIN P. CRAVER
kcraver@shawmedia.com
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Overall enrollment of traditional and older students alike at MCC acts as something of an economic barometer, said Kellie Carper, manager of new student transition. When the economy is bad, there’s an enrollment increase across the board. Enrollment also increases when the economy is good, because local businesses and industry are
See MCC, page A5
It was in a way a perfect storm because this was the state of our economy, and we provided an option as a college during that downturn.”
Christina Haggerty, McHenry County College spokeswoman
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Ariz. mountain town mourns for American woman held by terror group / B4
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more willing to fund employees’ further education and re-training. The college now is in that in-between phase where enrollment has slowed down with an improving economy, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Tony Miksa said.
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