Voters favor abolishing or consolidation of McHenry County regional schools office

In a referendum that has no binding impact, people who lived in the McHenry County Regional Office of Education service area said Tuesday they favor either abolishing it, or having it restructure and share services with another ROE.

The vote was 14,984 in favor and 14,011 opposed, according to unofficial results.

ROEs, otherwise known as educational service regions, are established and largely funded by the state. State law dictates how they can consolidate,

The McHenry County Board put the referendum on the ballot at the behest of board Chairman Jack Franks, who said in a published report he thinks the office is "A symbol of a time gone by."

ROEs' duties include issuing teacher certificates and safety inspections of school properties, among other tasks.

- Susan Sarkauskas