Elmhurst School Official Declines To Back Principal Recruiter

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst school board member on Tuesday did not support hiring a recruiting firm in York High School's principal search.

Member Brian Bresnahan, who was elected last year, voted "present" during the vote for Oak Park-based School Exec Connect. The six other members backed the firm.

Voting present means Bresnahan essentially abstained from the vote. He did not explain.

Patch left a message for comment with Bresnahan early Wednesday morning.

In May, the school board voted for Linda Yonke and Stephen Bild as York's interim principals for this year.

They replaced Jessica Hurt, who served three years before getting an administrative job in another district.

Before the May vote, Bresnahan praised Yonke and Bild, but expressed reservations about having interim principals for a year.

"My primary concern is student stability as we have freshmen and sophomores who are going to experience three leadership teams in four years," Bresnahan said.

He said it was an opportunity for Elmhurst District 205 to strengthen its internal candidate process, allowing smoother transitions.

At Tuesday's meeting, members praised School Exec Connect. It was the firm that recruited Superintendent Keisha Campbell in 2021.

Under an agreement, the district will pay the firm $14,500.

The district said the window to hire a new principal in time for the school year was too short for an effective search.

The board also has appointed an interim principal for Sandburg Middle School for this school year.