No Outcome In D-205 Leak Investigation

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst School District 205 has apparently reached no outcome in its investigation on who leaked information to Patch last year about the suspension of a program.

In September, Patch reported the district planned to suspend its elementary school Spanish program. Patch received a cropped email that was apparently sent to teachers at a local elementary school about the decision. This was before the plan was announced to the public.

Patch asked the district about it. The district's spokeswoman responded.

"When decisions are made, our goal is to share information internally first whenever possible as a professional courtesy," Beverly Redmond, the district's communications director, told Patch in an email at the time. "The message received by the Patch appears to be the result of an elementary staff update yesterday. Parents were scheduled to be notified today."

She said the district "will look into the premature sharing of information."

Earlier this month, Patch filed a public records request with the district for any documents showing the results of the investigation, even if the district was unable to find the leaker.

The district responded that it had no documents responsive to the request.

Asked about the investigation Thursday, Redmond said, "Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 staff members are professionals. We cannot control their behavior, nor do we try to police it. We trust our employees to conduct themselves in a manner that positively reflects the standards and expectations of the community and District."

On Tuesday, the school board is expected to vote on ending the elementary school Spanish program permanently.