No Permanent Principal at Elmhurst School For Time Being

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst School District 205 does not plan to hire a permanent principal for the next year at Sandburg Middle School.

The district's administration did not answer Patch's inquiries from week ago about Sandburg's leadership. But Superintendent Keisha Campbell emailed parents Friday afternoon, a message that was not shared with the media.

Last Monday, Patch reported that Joshua Louis, Sandburg's principal for the last three years, is leaving for a job in another district. His last day is Tuesday.

In her message, Campbell said the district would not move forward with hiring a permanent principal.

"Instead, we are thoughtfully developing an interim leadership plan that will provide strong support for our students and staff while we determine the best long-term path forward," she said. "Recruiting and hiring a new principal ideally takes place earlier in the school year to attract the highest quality candidates that are searching for a new opportunity."

Campbell continued, "While we attempted to search for a permanent principal, after engaging in screenings and two rounds of interviews, the Administration believes that interim leadership would be the best path forward for Sandburg this coming school year."

Patch left messages with Tonya Daniels, the district's communications director, last Monday and with Superintendent Keisha Campbell on Wednesday about Sandburg's succession plan. Neither responded.

Sandburg's assistant principal is listed as Jeff Gail, although it is uncertain whether he is remaining for the new year.

As of 2025, Sandburg enrolled 633 students, making it the third-largest public school in Elmhurst, behind York High and Bryan Middle School.

In early April, York High's principal, Jessica Hurt, was hired away as a central office administrator in Aurora-based Indian Prairie School District 204.

Hurt's term as York's principal ends Tuesday, though an employee at the front desk said last week that Hurt was away on vacation and not returning.

As a stopgap measure, the Elmhurst school district hired two interim co-principals. They are expected to serve a year while the school board searches for a new principal.