Incoming York Community High School freshmen got a guided welcome to the sprawling campus on Monday, Aug. 17, as upperclassmen in the school's Link Crew program led small-group orientation activities to help new students navigate the building and meet classmates.

Superintendent Dr. Keisha Campbell highlighted the peer mentorship effort on X, writing that student leaders did "a wonderful job welcoming our newest Dukes, building connections and helping them feel at home at York."

Link Crew pairs trained juniors and seniors with incoming freshmen for orientation and check-ins throughout the year. York recruited its 2026-27 Link Leaders from the sophomore and junior classes last spring, with applications closing April 17, according to the York student newspaper.

New leadership at the helm

Monday also marked an operational milestone for co-interim principals Dr. Linda Yonke and Stephan Bild, who are leading the roughly 2,700-student school after former principal Jessica Hurt left in July to become director of high school curriculum at Indian Prairie School District 204.

The D205 Board of Education approved the co-interim arrangement unanimously (6-0) at a special meeting May 6. Yonke previously served as York's principal from 1998 to 2004; Bild brings more than 50 years in education, including a stint as principal at Downers Grove South High School.

"I've learned how to be a temp. I simply serve as a bridge to what's coming," Bild said at the May 6 board meeting. "I'm looking forward to being a Duke."

Yonke earns $1,300 per day and Bild $1,100 per day under their contracts, which began July 1.

Context and what's next

The co-interim setup has drawn mixed reactions. Board member Courtenae Trautmann acknowledged community "angst" over interim appointments at both York and Sandburg Middle School but said she felt the approach was the best scenario for stability. Board member Brian Bresnahan noted that York's current freshmen and sophomores will experience three leadership teams in four years.

The transition is temporary. The district plans to begin a search for York's permanent principal this fall, with the hire expected to start July 1, 2027. The D205 board is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Aug. 19, according to the district.