A new group of Elmhurst teachers began orientation Tuesday, Aug. 4, giving them just over a week to prepare before students fill hallways across District 205 on Thursday, Aug. 13.
The district announced the orientation on its official X account, saying the new educators would spend several days building connections, learning about D205 and preparing for their classrooms. Photos posted alongside the announcement showed the cohort gathered together for the kickoff.
How many new teachers joined was not disclosed. Neither were their school assignments.
A year of leadership turnover
The new hires arrive during an unusual year for D205 leadership. Both York Community High School and Sandburg Middle School will open with interim principals after back-to-back departures caught the district past the typical hiring window.
At York, co-interim principals Dr. Linda Yonke and Stephan Bild started July 1 after previous principal Jessica Hurt left for a director of high school curriculum role at Indian Prairie District 204. Yonke, who led York from 1998 to 2004 and later served as D205's interim superintendent in 2021, earns $1,300 per day, according to the Elmhurst Independent. Bild, who brings more than 50 years in education including a principalship at Downers Grove South, earns $1,100 per day.
At Sandburg, interim principal Michael Boraz was approved at the board's July 14 meeting after former principal Joshua Louis informed the district in May that he was leaving, Patch reported. Boraz is retiring from Chicago Public Schools, where he oversaw 28 schools as a network chief and previously led Lincoln Park High School for nine years. Retired Sandburg assistant principal Jeff Gail was also brought back for 50 days at $525 per day to help with the transition.
Board member Courtenae Trautmann acknowledged the community's unease at the July 14 meeting, when the board approved the Sandburg interim hire. "It provides angst in our community about what it looks like," she said at the time, but added she felt "super strongly" that the interim hires were the best scenario for stability.
Other staffing moves
Not all leadership changes are temporary. Jill Zapata, previously assistant principal at Conrad Fischer Elementary, became Emerson Elementary's permanent principal July 1.
The district also approved a 2.7% salary increase for administrators and a 3% raise for non-union hourly employees for 2026-27, along with higher pay for substitute teachers and starting rates for administrative assistants and food service workers.
What's next
D205's more than 8,500 students return Aug. 13. The district has not released a public orientation schedule or confirmed whether Superintendent Dr. Keisha Campbell addressed the new cohort directly.
