Crystal Lake District 47

Area spellers challenge themselves as they compete in the McHenry County Regional Office of Education’s 2025 Spelling Bee on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Bernotas Middle School in Crystal Lake. The 21 contestants are vying for a spot in the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee.

This spring, McHenry County voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

Three of the eight candidates running for Crystal Lake-based School District 47 board answered questions on their views including current budget concerns and possible cellphone bans at a forum Thursday.

Debra Barton: I see the top three issues right now as 1) maintaining financial stability in the district while maintaining our high-quality programming, 2) elementary school boundary changes, and 3) implementing the newly adopted Strategic Plan.

Are you satisfied with how math is taught in the district? Lea Grover: I am satisfied with how math is taught, but I am not satisfied with the metrics imposed on the students and teachers by which this is measured

Are you satisfied with how math is taught in the district? Alena Hansen: Based on the feedback I’ve received from teachers, no

Devon Hubbard Tessmer: Overall, I appreciate the district’s efforts to provide a strong foundation in math for all students, and I’m encouraged by the new math curriculum implemented this year

Mike Mueller: First, communication is a major area that needs improvement. The current uproar over staff reductions has shown that the district tends to be reactive to situations versus proactive

Andrew Buckler: My understanding is that some students are doing well with the new curriculum while others are not. The issue is that the math teachers were not as involved as they should have been with the selection of the curriculum

Maria Krause: From student feedback, those who have enjoyed and succeeded in good grades throughout elementary school have expressed concern over the curriculum in middle school

Nine educators in McHenry County from school districts in Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock, Cary and Johnsburg have been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education through this year’s “Those Who Excel" and "Teacher of the Year” awards.

Crystal Lake District 47 officials posted on Facebook late Monday that Husmann School was closed Tuesday.

As Crystal Lake District 47 looks at staffing cuts, its teachers union wades into the discussion after the district cited the new union contract as one reason for its financial pressures.

Two weeks after Crystal Lake School District 47 sent out an email to staff about potential staffing and program changes, teachers and parents spoke out about concerns as little information comes to light from the district.

Crystal Lake-based School District 47 could face staffing reductions for transitions in order to stay in budget after agreeing to salary increases in a new teacher contract.

Road conditions were worsening and many McHenry County schools called off after-school activities Wednesday as snow began piling up on its way to a possible half a foot of accumulation.

Which school districts in the McHenry County area have announced schedule changes Wednesday because of the snow forecast?

McHenry County schools joined districts throughout northern Illinois and called off school on Tuesday.

Robert Blazier – whose decades-long, immeasurable impact on the Crystal Lake area spanned education, philanthropy, health care, business and the arts – has died at 98.

Take a look back at some of the biggest news stories of 2024 in the McHenry County area.

A selection of some of the best feature photos from 2024 in the Northwest Herald.

Crystal Lake-based District 47 chose between two options for middle school attendance boundaries, one of which had more parental pushback.

The father of a former Crystal Lake student is suing the city and School District 47, claiming his civil rights were violated after he used a paper gun in a school project.

The Crystal Lake School District 47 school board is set to consider changes its middle school boundaries for the next school year that could mean more busing but would better group together future high school classes.

Rosemary Blazier is remembered for her generosity and leaves behind a legacy at countless local organizations.

Search our table to see what designation your McHenry County school received on the 2024 school report card.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of McHenry County students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement over the prior year.

McHenry County school districts said they still see long-tail effects of COVID-19 but note scores released this week in some cases are higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Artist and parent Sara Jean Stevens is the face behind the colorful murals found at Husmann and North elementary schools.

Sara Jean Stevens started painting her kids' school's walls to bring some fun and happiness to the place. Now she's started a company called Moth and Moon Co. to spread her talents.

After a year of negotiations, Crystal Lake School District 47 and its teachers union both approved the tentative agreement on a new contract that includes increased benefits, pay raises and plan time for teachers.

Leonetta Rizzi has a long history of social service work, currently as executive director of the McHenry County Mental Health Board. She is a recipient of the Northwest Herald's Women of Distinction award.

Defense attorneys want argue at the civil trial of the death of a 3-year-old toddler struck and killed by a school bus in Cary that the child’s parents were “negligent” and “caused” his death, according to a filing in the McHenry County court.

Woodstock School District 200 to get 3 electric buses; grant money from the Volkswagen emissions settlement is helping to fund the vehicles.

After nearly a year of negotiations, Crystal Lake-based School District 47 and its teachers union have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, officials say.

Crystal Lake District 47 teachers don't have a contract deal and have declared an impasse in talks. What happens now and could it lead to a strike?

With possible teachers strike looming, the Crystal Lake School District 47 teachers union has filed an unfair labor practices complaint against the district.

Crystal Lake District 47 teachers have formally declared an impasse in contract talks, meaning they could go on strike in weeks. They've been bargaining for a new contract for nearly a year.

A look back at the first day of school in Crystal Lake and Woodstock from Northwest Herald photojournalist Gregory Shaver.

Crystal Lake District 47 started its school year on Wednesday, Aug, 21, 2024, with students, teachers and staff returning for the first day of class.

The Crystal Lake District 47 school teachers union will start the school year Wednesday without a new contract as negotiations continue after 10 months.

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 will host a resource fair for district families Aug. 24.

A new school year has arrived in McHenry County with optimism, nerves, cautions.

Crystal Lake-based District 47 is asking for parent and guardian input on potential school boundary changes for Hannah Beardsley, Richard Bernotas and Lundahl middle schools.

Crystal Lake teachers rallied outside the District 47 offices this week as contract negotiations continue and the first day of school quickly approaches. So how much do Crystal Lake teachers make?

Crystal Lake teachers rallied outside the District 47 offices Monday afternoon ahead of another contract negotiation session

Crystal Lake School District 47 and Community High School District 155 approved a $1.6 million grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to purchase four electric buses and chargers.

Crystal Lake-based School District 47 continues contract negotiations with the teachers union by adding a federal mediator as negotiations for a new contract stretch into eight months.

The Crystal Lake Elementary Teachers Association has been bargaining with District 47 for eight months as the contract expires on the first day of school in August.

Eighth grade students attending Crystal Lake District 47 Richard Bernotas middle school will have a different math structure from the other district’s middle schools in a pilot program starting in August.