York High School Principal Named

ELMHURST, IL – A Hinsdale Central High School assistant principal is becoming the new principal of Elmhurst's York High School.

On Wednesday, the Elmhurst School District 205 board unanimously voted for Jessica Hurt as the principal starting in July. A news release was issued moments later.

Hurt is the assistant principal for curriculum and instruction at Hinsdale Central. She replaces York's principal, Shahe Bagdasarian, who is starting as the Oak Lawn High School superintendent in July.

Last school year, Hurt made $142,675 at Central. Bagdasarian's salary was $217,456. Hurt's pay at York is set at $172,500, according to the district.

York's enrollment is about 2,700, higher than Central's 2,500, according to state numbers.

Statistics show that 16 percent of York's students come from low-income families, compared with Central's 6 percent.

In the news release, District 205 said it received 35 applications, with 13 candidates selected for initial screening. Following that, five were interviewed in person by district administrators and other staff.

Three candidates were chosen for an extensive round of interviews by parents, students and staff, the release said.

As part of the process, the district conducted a survey and held focus groups about what people were seeking in a new principal. Nearly 500 parents, staff, students and residents took part in the survey, the district said.

According to the release, Hurt brings two decades of experience as a "transformative" leader in education. That includes three administrative positions and 13 years as a social studies teacher, five of which as a department chairwoman, overseeing more than 25 teachers, the district said.

Hurt has been at Central for 16 years. Before that, she worked at Oswego East and Oswego high schools as well as Monroe Middle School in Wheaton, the district said.

"I look forward to working closely with the York students, staff and community to implement effective methods of school improvement in academics and to continue building a strong school culture that both honors and elevates the York High School history and defines what it means to be a York Duke," Hurt said in the news release.

Hurt was recently awarded the 2022 Assistant Principal of the Year award for the DuPage region by the Illinois Principals Association.

She received her bachelor's degree in social science and secondary education from Illinois State University. She also holds a master's degree in education from Aurora University and an educational specialist degree in educational administration from Northern Illinois University.

The district said Hurt expects to complete her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies this year at Northern Illinois University.

“The first words that come to mind when reflecting on Ms. Hurt's leadership are caring, innovative, collaborative, and intelligent,” Hinsdale Central Principal Bill Walsh said in the news release. “She is a valued member of our school community, who utilizes the resources available to her, but she is also a genuine person who brings a high level of energy to the school culture. Ms. Hurt works collaboratively with the Parent Teacher Organization, community leaders and Hinsdale Central staff to develop programs that target students' academic capacity and learning environment.”