July 28, 2026
Elmhurst District 205
Board of Education Meeting Highlights
Reports and Presentations
Fiscal Year 2026 Tentative Budget
The Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations presented the Fiscal Year 2027 Tentative Budget. The budget will now be placed on public display in accordance with Illinois School Code requirements. The tentative 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. A public hearing and final budget adoption were scheduled for September 22, 2026.
Strengthening K-5 MTSS for Reading
The Board received an update on the district's ongoing work to strengthen its K–5 Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for reading. The presentation reviewed current literacy practices, highlighted opportunities to enhance early literacy screening and Tier 2 interventions, and outlined new Illinois State Board of Education requirements for universal literacy screening beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. District leaders shared the recommendation to implement Acadience Reading as the K–3 universal literacy screener and reviewed updates to the district's assessment system, professional learning plan, and implementation timeline to support a successful rollout.
Consent Agenda
Agency Staffing Contracts for Special Education
The Board approved contracts with several staffing agencies to provide temporary special education support during the 2026–2027 school year. The contracts include nurses, speech-language pathologists, and a special education teacher to fill leave-of-absence positions, provide one-to-one student support, and ensure continuity of services while the district continues recruiting for permanent positions. Total contract costs of $221,868.20 were budgeted within the district's special education accounts.
Partners for Success/Regional Safe Schools/Alternative Learning Opportunities Program
The district will continue its partnership with the DuPage County Regional Office of Education through the Rebound, Partners for Success, and Alternative Learning Opportunities programs during the 2026–2027 school year, ensuring alternative educational services remain available for eligible students when needed.
Resolution to Continue Hazardous Busing for 26/27 school year
The district renewed its annual hazardous busing resolution for the 2026–2027 school year, allowing transportation services to continue for students in designated areas where walking to school presents documented safety hazards. The resolution also authorizes the submission of required documentation to the Illinois Department of Transportation to maintain state reimbursement eligibility.
Action Items
Resolution to Transfer Funds from Education Fund to Debt Services Fund
The Board approved a resolution to transfer funds from the Education Fund to the Debt Services Fund to cover Fiscal Year 2027 capital lease payments. The transfer supports lease obligations for technology equipment, including copiers and Chromebooks, while reflecting the district's continued efforts to phase out capital leases and reduce long-term interest costs.
Advertising Agreement
The Board approved an advertising agreement with the York Athletic Boosters for the 2026–2027 school year. The partnership will allow the district and boosters to secure advertising on York High School's digital scoreboards, creating a new revenue source to support York students and the athletic department.
Scoreboard Advertisements
The Board approved advertisements for display on York High School's digital scoreboards at the stadium and Campbell Gym for the 2026–2027 school year. The approvals allow advertising to begin in accordance with the newly approved advertising agreement between the district and the York Athletic Boosters.
Superintendent's Communication & Communications Highlight
Summer Cleaning
We are now in the 10th week of our summer cleaning of all buildings. Our team of custodial and maintenance staff have been hard at work giving every space a thorough cleaning and completing any necessary repairs. This year the crews from multiple buildings clustered up and tackled each K-8 building during a concentrated 2- or 3-week stint, while both shifts of our York custodial crew have been giving each classroom the necessary attention to be ready for learning in just a matter of weeks. Finally, our maintenance team has been dispatched throughout the District, taking care of significant projects that could not normally be taken care of while classes are in session. We are grateful for the efforts and energy our teams have put forth this summer to serve our school communities behind the scenes.
Important Dates for the 2026/2027 School Year
As we gear up to welcome students back to school next month, we wanted to share the Important Dates graphic with all of our families. Your one-stop-graphic for dates throughout the year, including teacher conferences, late starts, breaks, graduation and last day of school, this graphic will be shared via ParentSquare, posted on our website and also shared on all social media channels.
Community Connections
The latest edition of the Community Connections Newsletter has hit mailboxes and can also be found electronically through our website. This 16th edition shares some insight into a sweet new tradition that we talked about at the last meeting where graduating seniors return to their elementary schools to walk the halls and see their teachers again. Additionally, and directly connected to the Communications highlight tonight, the other feature story is about the amazing community partnerships with some Elmhurst businesses and our Transition Center students. As always you can also find helpful information about registration information, a highlight of our recent Excellent Educator and a recap and highlights from the Graduating class of 2026.
Communications Team Wins Top Awards at National Conference
The communications team recently attended the National School Communicators Conference where, we are excited to share, they won three top awards. The awards included:
2026 NSPRA Award of Excellence-Video-Series in NSPRA's 2026 Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards contest for the D205 Safety in 60 entry in the category Video Series.
2026 NSPRA Award of Excellence-Handbook/Guide in NSPRA's 2026 Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards contest for the Kindergarten Registration Guide entry in the category Handbook.
2026 NSPRA Award of Excellence-Video-Single in NSPRA's 2026 Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards contest for the This Is How We March - Theatrical Trailer entry in the category Video.
COMMUNICATIONS HIGHLIGHT: