September 22, 2026
Elmhurst District 205
Board of Education Meeting Highlights
Reports and Presentations
Learning Environment: Promoting Positive Culture & Relationships
District 205 shared an update on efforts to create welcoming, supportive learning environments that strengthen student connection and engagement. Data from the 2025-26 school year showed improvements in student-teacher trust and attendance, with attendance increasing at every school level. Co-curricular involvement also remained strong, with 76% of York High School students participating in activities, athletics, arts, academics, service, or leadership opportunities. District and school teams will continue using student experience data to strengthen relationships, belonging, engagement, and student well-being.
Insurance Renewal: 2027 Plan Year
District 205 presented recommended changes to its employee health insurance plans for the 2027 plan year. Proposed changes include increased deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for PPO and HDHP plans, along with adjustments to HMO coverage and specialty office visit copays. These changes would reduce the originally projected 12.6% rate increase to 8.6%. The recommendation was presented to the Board of Education for approval.
Consent Agenda
Agency Staffing Contract for Business Office
The board approved a temporary staffing contract to support the Business Office while the District continues its search for an Accounting Coordinator. Beacon Hill Solutions Group would provide an interim Accounting Coordinator at a rate of $67 per hour, or approximately $2,512.50 per week. The temporary support will help maintain Business Office operations during the transition, with the agency staff member released if the District fills the position.
Sponsor Recognition Agreement
District 205 Board of Education approved the proposed sponsor recognition agreements at York High School for the remainder of the 2026-27 school year. The agreements allow businesses and organizations to receive recognition on York’s digital scoreboards while generating additional revenue to support students and the athletic department. The York Athletic Boosters secure sponsorships, while the District reviews and manages how sponsor recognition is displayed at IHSA events.
Acceptance of Gifts to the District
The Board of Education accepted two gifts to support District 205 students. Konica Minolta donated a color production printing press for York Community High School’s Industrial Arts and Graphic Arts courses. Manu Lail made a cash donation to bring the Lincoln-Way Special Recreation Association to all eight elementary schools during the 2026–27 school year, including lunch costs. The program promotes disability awareness and provides recreation and leisure opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Action Items
Adoption of the FY 2026-2027 Budget
The Board of education approved the budget for the 2026-2027 school year. The budget reflects the district's financial priorities, incorporates updated revenue and expenditure projections, and aligns resources to support high-quality instruction, student achievement, and district operations.
Transfer of Funds to Debt Services Fund
District 205 recommended transferring $138,345.92 from the Education Fund to the Debt Services Fund to cover capital lease payments for technology equipment during Fiscal Year 2027. The transfer is nearly $400,000 less than the previous year as the District continues to phase out capital leases. Once all leases are paid off, the District estimates it will save approximately $75,000 annually in interest payments.
Medical Insurance Renewal
The Board of Education approved changes to its health and dental insurance plans for the 2027 plan year to help reduce anticipated increases in medical insurance costs. Changes include increased deductibles and out-of-pock changes to the health and dental insurance plans for the 2027 plan year costs for PPO and HDHP plans, adjustments to HMO coverage and copays, and a 3.4% increase in dental premiums. The proposed medical plan changes are expected to reduce the projected increase by at least four percentage points.
Superintendent's Communication & Communications Highlight
Superintendent Student Advisory Council
The Superintendent Student Advisory Council had their first meeting of the 2026-2027 school year last Wednesday, September 16. The goal of this council is to create a meaningful avenue for student voice, to build connections among student leaders, provide direct feedback to district leadership, and help influence positive change across our schools. We began by establishing the purpose and vision for the council and creating an environment where students felt comfortable sharing their experiences and perspectives. Our planned topic was around the food service program at York. We had students participate in a food service survey and engage in small-group discussion led by Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Joe Blomquist. Students identified strengths as well as opportunities for improvement. The students were thoughtful, candid, and willing to engage in meaningful conversations about their experiences. I’m looking forward to continuing to listen, learn from their perspectives, and work with them to have their input lead to positive action across our schools. Our next meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2026.
Collage Concert Preview Performance for 4th Grade Students
This year, for the first time, all 4th grade students in D205 had the opportunity to attend a special preview performance of the York High School Collage Concert. This field trip was hosted by the York Performing Arts Department and featured all of our amazing York performing arts ensembles. Despite the rain, students traveled to York on the morning of Thursday, September 17 where they were welcomed by student greeters and chamber ensemble performances as they were escorted to the Fieldhouse. This was more than just a concert, it was a learning opportunity and a window into the future. In addition to ensemble performances, 4th grade students heard testimonials from high school students and followed a listening guide that engaged them in the full concert experience and showed them the potential end result of their decision to participate in the performing arts. This field trip also served to kick off the instrument exploration opportunities that 4th grade students will have throughout the year and it brought together the graduating class of 2035, helping them catch a glimpse of their future selves at York.
York High School Collage Concert
On the evening of Thursday, September 17, the award-winning York Performing Arts Department presented its 42nd annual Collage Concert. This concert featured all of our York performing arts ensembles from band, choir, dance, and orchestra as well as a student-led band from the Music Production program. After opening remarks from co-interim principal Dr. Linda Yonke, who herself has a special connection to the history of this performance, students performed to a packed house in the York Fieldhouse. The concert was free and open to the public and was livestreamed on the D205 YouTube channel where a recording of the performance can be watched on demand.
STAMP Assessment - 8th Grade Dual Language Students
As our 8th-grade Dual Language students prepare to transition to York High School, we want to help families understand the next step in their child’s multilingual journey. On Thursday, Amy Baker-Zaleski, Director of Language Pathways and Programs, and myself will share a recorded presentation with all dual language families that will provide an overview of the Avant STAMP assessment, which all 8th-grade Dual Language students will take to demonstrate their Spanish proficiency across reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The presentation will also explain how STAMP results will be used to inform Spanish course recommendations and help identify an appropriately challenging entry point for each student at York.
Additionally, the presentation will provide information about the language pathways and opportunities available at York High School, including advanced Spanish coursework, possible four-year Spanish pathways, and the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy. Next school year, our rising 9th grade dual language students have the option to continue building their Spanish proficiency through enrollment in Spanish 2 Honors, Spanish 3 Honors-ACP, or AP Spanish Language and Culture based on demonstrated proficiency. Or, students may choose to continue their multilingual journey through French, Italian, or Mandarin Chinese.
We encourage all dual language 8th grade families to review the recorded presentation and accompanying slides that will be shared on Friday. Our goal is to provide families with the information they need to understand the assessment and course recommendation process before individual student results are shared.
Prior to November 18, families will receive their child’s individual STAMP assessment results and recommended 9th-grade Spanish course. Once families have had an opportunity to review that information, Amy Baker-Zaleski and I will host a live virtual family meeting on November 18 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. This will be an opportunity for families to ask questions about STAMP results, course recommendations, high school language pathways, or anything else related to their child’s transition to world language coursework at York.
We know this is an important transition after nine years in the Dual Language program, and we look forward to supporting students and families as they consider the language opportunities available at York.