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July 16, 2021

News • July 16, 2021

McHenry County Municipalities, Board Chairman Support Local Control for School Superintendents

By

WOODSTOCK, Ill. – The McHenry County Council of Governments (MCCG) and County Board Chairman Michael Buehler stand by local school superintendents as they interpret and apply the Illinois Department of Public Health COVID-19 guidelines for the 2021-2022 school year in the manners best-suited for their individual districts.

This month, all the superintendents of schools in McHenry County banded together to plead with the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) and Governor Pritzker to update their COVID-19 guidelines to reflect those of the CDC and not burden children with more requirements than vaccinated adults. This week, the IDPH adopted the CDC’s guidance for schools and recommended, though did not mandate, the school districts follow them.

“As a father of three children in a McHenry County school district, I completely understand the frustration many parents feel in trying to protect our children’s physical, emotional and mental health and development,” said Chairman Michael Buehler, R-Crystal Lake. “Allowing the individual school districts to implement COVID-19 guidelines gives the freedom necessary to factor in practical considerations such as the ability of students to social distance, bullying concerns, and other needs of the children. Ultimately, I support the parents’ right to make their own decisions for their children.”

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, school superintendents have coordinated weekly with the County Administrator and the McHenry County Department of Health to find ways to best balance the community’s health needs as well as the developmental needs of children and those of personal and parental freedom and choice.

The MCCG noted that safely getting students and teachers back into the classroom this fall will help both the economy and McHenry County residents. “We feel it is important to support school districts to better understand the guidelines and recommendations presented by the CDC, IDPH and ISBE. MCCG looks forward to working with school superintendents for the greater good of all of our residents and communities,” MCCG Executive Director Chalen Daigle said.

The McHenry County Council of Governments is a nonprofit focused on collaboration among members, as well as supporting legislative initiatives and transportation advocacy.