Ex-Elmhurst D205 Official Returns As Consultant

ELMHURST, IL – The former interim superintendent of Elmhurst School District 205 is coming back as a consultant.

Linda Yonke served in the interim role from April to June 2021. She was the York High School principal from 1998 to 2004.

On Tuesday, the school board voted unanimously to bring Yonke on as a consultant to help with the recruitment of a new York principal.

A couple of weeks ago, it was learned that York's principal, Shahe Bagdasarian, was leaving to become the superintendent of Oak Lawn High School. His last day at York is June 30.

At Tuesday's school board meeting, member Jim Collins asked Superintendent Keisha Campbell for the reason behind Yonke's return and her pay.

Campbell said the board voted last year to hire Yonke as a consultant to help with Campbell's transition. Under Yonke's contract, she was given up to 20 days between January and May 2022. She worked 6½ days.

Under the new contract, Campbell said, Yonke would get the remaining 13½ days over the next few months.

Campbell said the district wanted a "very robust and thorough" recruitment of a new principal. She described the position as "extremely attractive" and that she expected it to draw a wide range of candidates.

"But that interest should not be taken for granted," Campbell said.

She did not give Yonke's pay.

The district has yet to post Yonke's contract on its website, although it released many other meeting-related documents beforehand.