April 21, 2026
Elmhurst District 205
Board of Education Meeting Highlights
Spotlight and Recognitions
York Boys Basketball Team Earns Historic Final Four Finish
York Community High School’s Boys Varsity Basketball Team was recognized for its fourth-place finish in the 2026 Illinois High School Association Class 4A State Finals, marking the program’s first Final Four appearance in school history. The Dukes finished the season with a 32–6 record and were named West Suburban Conference Silver Division co-champions. York entered the postseason as a No. 2 seed and advanced to the state finals with wins over Bartlett, Glenbard West, Glenbard North, Glenbard East, and St. Ignatius. The team was also the only public school to reach the Class 4A Final Four. The Board commended the student-athletes, coaching staff, and school community for their role in a historic and memorable season.
York Coach Mike Dunn Named IBCA Coach of the Year
York Boys Varsity Basketball head coach Mike Dunn was recognized for being named the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year, a prestigious honor that highlights excellence in leadership, program development, and team success. Dunn led the Dukes to a historic 32–6 season, including a West Suburban Conference Silver Division co-championship and the program’s first appearance in the IHSA Class 4A Final Four, where York earned a fourth-place finish. The Board commended his leadership in building a culture of accountability, discipline, and teamwork, as well as his lasting impact on student-athletes and the York community.
York Senior Samantha Szejner Recognized for IADA All-State Achievement
Samantha Szejner, a senior at York Community High School, was recognized for being named to the Illinois Athletic Directors Association All-State Recognition Team. A two-sport athlete in swimming and water polo, she earned the honor for her success in the classroom, dedication in athletics, and leadership within the school community. The recognition, awarded to one female and one male student-athlete per district, highlights those who balance academic achievement with commitment to interscholastic athletics.
Fischer Elementary School Spotlight
Fischer Elementary School shared a presentation highlighting key happenings within the building, offering a snapshot of student learning and school initiatives. The Board of Education also heard directly from several school representatives who provided insight into the work taking place each day.
Reports and Presentations
Board Reviews Facility Rental Fee Structure
The Board of Education reviewed proposed updates to the District’s Facility Rental Usage Agreement for the upcoming school year, including how fees support operational costs such as utilities, security, upkeep, and staffing, with custodial services representing the largest expense. The presentation highlighted key components of the current structure and potential adjustments for the 2026–27 school year, with final recommendations expected to be brought back to the Board for approval at a future meeting.
Consent Agenda
Exterior Door Replacement Project Moves Forward
The Board of Education approved a Life Safety project to replace exterior doors at nine schools across the District, including Bryan, Churchville, Conrad Fischer, Edison, Emerson, Hawthorne, Jackson, Jefferson, and Sandburg. The project addresses aging doors that no longer meet current safety and performance standards, improving overall building security and functionality. The work will be completed through the Omnia Purchasing Cooperative at a total cost of $709,727, which is below the amount budgeted in the District’s 10-year Health Life Safety Survey.
Student Restroom Renovation Project Approved
The Board of Education approved a student restroom renovation project as part of the District’s 2026 Capital Projects Plan. The work will address aging infrastructure, ADA compliance needs, and overall functionality, with improvements spanning multiple trades including plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and masonry. The project will be completed through the Omnia Purchasing Cooperative at a total cost of $148,650.
Churchville Ceiling and Lighting Project Approved
The Board of Education approved a classroom ceiling and lighting replacement project at Churchville Middle School as part of the District’s 2026 Capital Projects Plan. The work includes replacing approximately 14,400 square feet of ceiling tile and grid, installing new lighting fixtures, updating HVAC components, and improving overall classroom functionality and efficiency. While the total cost of $428,265 exceeds the original estimate, the additional expense will be covered through savings from other summer capital projects.
Action Items
Elmhurst District 205 Board of Education Votes to Approve Jill Zapata as Principal of Emerson Elementary School
The Board of Education approved the appointment of Jill Zapata as the next Principal of Emerson Elementary School, effective July 1, 2026. Zapata currently serves as Assistant Principal at Conrad Fischer Elementary School and brings more than 15 years of experience in education, including roles in administration, bilingual services, and higher education. During her time in District 205, Zapata has supported measurable gains in student achievement, including increases in math and literacy, while also strengthening school culture and staff collaboration. Her leadership reflects a commitment to student-centered practices, equity, and building strong relationships with students, staff, and families.
Board Approves Instructional Materials for 2026–27 School Year
New instructional materials were approved for use in the 2026–27 school year following a comprehensive review process aligned to Board policy and student learning needs. The selected resources include materials for Advanced Placement courses in English and science, as well as a world language course at York High School. The recommendations were based on student data, research, and alignment to College Board standards and dual credit expectations. Materials were also made available for public review for 30 days, during which no feedback was submitted.
Foundation 205 Donations Support Student Opportunities
A series of donations from Foundation 205 was accepted to support students across Elmhurst District 205 during the 2026–27 school year. The contributions include funding for Thiems Grants, Mission Fund support, and experiential learning opportunities, totaling up to $386,000. The funding will support innovative classroom projects, provide financial assistance for students facing economic challenges, and expand hands-on learning experiences aligned to the District’s curriculum. These donations reflect Foundation 205’s continued commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and ensuring all students have access to meaningful learning experiences.
Summer Capital Projects Funding Approved
The transfer of funds for capital projects was approved , including a $4,000,000 transfer from the Operations and Maintenance Fund to the Capital Projects Fund, along with a $505,296.97 transfer from the Working Cash Fund. These funds will support facility improvements across multiple schools, including roofing, flooring replacement, restroom renovations, mechanical upgrades, and site improvements. The investments are part of the District’s ongoing efforts to maintain, modernize, and extend the life of its school buildings while planning for long-term financial sustainability.
Superintendent's Communication & Communications Highlight
D205 Retirement and Years of Service Recognition
The District 205 Board of Education, Superintendent, Administration and staff look forward to honoring all Retirees and employees with 25 & 35 years of service at the annual Retirement & Recognition Event. The event will take place Tuesday, April 28 - 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the York High School Commons. This spring, we are proud to “graduate” a total of 41 retirees across employee groups while also celebrating 27 staff members earning 25 years of service and 2 earning 35 years of service. We value these staff members and their contributions to the student experience.
Chicago Latino Film Festival and DPAC Event | Runa Simi, Chicago Latino Film Festival in Elmhurst!
D205’s Dual Language Program and the D205 Foundation are bringing the Chicago Latino Film Festival to Elmhurst on Wednesday, April 22nd! The York Theater will have two free showings (6:00 and 6:30 pm) of Runa Simi, a recent winner at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Lima Film Festivals. The DPAC families have extended invitations to celebrate Latino art, culture and film through the lens of this heartwarming documentary. The film Director will be in attendance and will hold a Q&A after each showing. Please click on this link or scan the QR code to sign-up for tickets. Community members and children are invited to join and celebrate the arts and inclusivity alongside the Chicago Latino Film Festival that is held concurrently in Chicago.
Last Day of Student Attendance
As the District has experienced no closures or use of emergency days this school year, the last day of student attendance remains Thursday, May 21st as originally planned on the school calendar. The first day of student attendance for the 2026-27 year is Thursday, August 13. Full calendars for this school year the next two may be located on the district website by clicking District and then Calendars.
York Author Visit
To celebrate the culmination of our most recent 9th-grade English unit we were thrilled to welcome acclaimed, local author Cristina Henríquez to York on Thursday, April 16th, thanks to the generous support of Foundation 205. Our 9th graders recently finished studying her New York Times Notable novel, The Book of Unknown Americans, and had the unique opportunity to engage directly with the author. This academic visit, aligned with our school priorities around text and task complexity, offered students the chance to hear firsthand about Ms. Henriquez's writing process and engage in Q&A regarding the narrative techniques and diverse perspectives that define her work. It was a special chance for our York freshmen to see how the literary elements they have worked to master, such as dialogue, structure, and tone, are applied by a professional writer.
Community Connections Newsletter | 15th Edition
The 15th Edition of the Community Connections newsletter will be hitting mailboxes very soon!! In this edition you can read about our Teacher Leaders program that is strengthening instruction across our elementary schools, meet Excellent Educator Lauren Yun, learn about how the Superintendent’s Student Advisory council creates meaningful space for student voice across District 205 and dive into our new Summer Programming guidebook.
Update on Process of Hiring Next York Principal
I want to take a moment to share an update as we begin the process of identifying the next principal of York High School.
As we wrap up this current year, our focus remains on finishing the year strong while also thoughtfully planning for the future. York is an exceptional school community, and we are committed to ensuring that we continue building on the strong foundation already in place.
I recognize the complexity of the Principal role, notably in a comprehensive high school, and the importance of identifying a candidate. It is essential to approach this process with care, intention, and the time needed to do it well. With that in mind, we are working to identify Interim Principal leadership at York for the upcoming school year. This will allow us to conduct a comprehensive and inclusive search for the next York principal beginning in the Fall.
Throughout this process, we are committed to maintaining continuity, clarity, and strong support for York students and staff. We are grateful for the partnership of this community and look forward to engaging with you along the way.
COMMUNICATIONS HIGHLIGHT: