Briefs: Dist. 220 OKs budget

The Barrington Area Unit District 220 school board gave final approval Tuesday of this year's budget, marking the 11th straight year the district will operate in the black. The 2007-08 budget calls for the spending of $105.7 million, while taking in $110.6 million in revenue. Of the revenue, 80 percent will come from local property taxes. Of the $105.7 million in expenditures, 72 percent will go toward staff salaries and benefits, said Gary Frisch, the district's chief financial officer. A highlight of this year's budget, Frisch said, is the addition of more than 23 full-time staffing positions. Among those are 14 new teachers across all levels, three new teachers for the high school's at-risk program and 3½ special education positions. By the end of the 2007-08 school year in June, Frisch expects the district will have $40.6 million in its reserve funds.

Lancer Joust winners:

Prospect High School placed first and won for best general effect in the Lake Park Lancer Joust marching band competition Saturday in Roselle. Hersey High School placed fifth and Wheeling High School placed ninth in the all-day event. The Northwest suburban bands were among 18 high school bands from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin that competed in the event. Lincoln-Way East High School placed second and won for best visual performance. Lincoln-Way Central placed third and won for best musical performance. Lake Park High School's marching band does not compete in its own event.

Shop retools, reopens

The Barrington Home Shoppe, formerly called the Canterbury Shoppe, is hosting a grand opening celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the store at its new location in the Ice House Mall at 200 Applebee St. The store has been completely revamped and now offers an expanded collection of upscale artisan gifts, tabletop items, home accents and holiday collectibles. The new store will showcase changing seasonal collections from such brands as Tutto Mio, Peggy Karr, Nambe and Christopher Radko. For more information, contact the Barrington Home Shoppe at (847) 304-9627.

Parents to study learning

The Kildeer Countryside Elementary District 96 Parent-to-Parent Network will have a Fit to Be Taught program today to help parents prepare their kids to learn. The program will be at 7:15 p.m. at Twin Groves Middle School, 2600 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. The program will include three half-hour mini-courses, with topics addressing children's need for healthful food, sleep, physical activity and study skills. Call (847) 459-4260, ext. 7755.

Brandt's hearing delayed

A public hearing about redevelopment at the corner of Northwest Highway and Quentin Road in Palatine has been postponed. The Palatine plan commission was scheduled to hold the hearing Tuesday night about putting a Walgreens and Fifth Third Bank and the corner where Brandt's Little Cafe now sits. But the developer, Des Plaines-based DL Acquisitions, couldn't make it. A Nov. 6 hearing is tentatively set.