Laughs On Elmhurst D-205 Board For 1st Time In Years: Official

ELMHURST, IL – The election of officers on the Elmhurst School District 205 board involved no drama Tuesday.

President Kara Caforio, Vice President Chris Kocinski and Secretary Courtenae Trautmann were re-elected to one-year terms. They had no opposition.

Caforio, who started as president in 2018, said she was grateful for her colleagues' contributions.

"The last meeting was the first time I heard some people at this table laugh in two years, just because the stress has come down a little bit," she said. "While I sit here in this seat, it takes all of us to do this work, so thanks for hanging in there."

School board members are unpaid in Illinois.

Like other districts, the local board endured angry debates over remote learning and masks. Since last fall, some residents have alleged the district's lessons present a liberal bias and that critical race theory is being taught.

Still, Elmhurst school board meetings have been relatively calm compared with other districts, including Hinsdale High School District 86.

The District 86 board is divided, with the minority apparently losing confidence in the superintendent.

An online petition calling for the ouster of District 86's superintendent has drawn more than 1,500 signatures.