D-205 Interim Leader's Term Begins Immediately

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst school board on Thursday appointed an interim superintendent who has experience in the district.

At a special meeting, the board approved a contract with Linda Yonke, a former York High School principal and New Trier High School superintendent. Her time as interim superintendent began immediately and will overlap for a few days with Superintendent Dave Moyer, whose last day is Wednesday.

"Dr. Moyer continues to operate the District as he wraps up his work in preparation for his departure on March 31. Dr. Yonke will be in the District for two days prior to March 31 to ensure a smooth transition between leaders," school board President Kara Caforio said in a statement to Patch.

Under the contract, Yonke will serve until June 30 or until a new superintendent is hired. She is set to get $1,250 a day without any benefits. At the meeting, Caforio said the pay is consistent with interim superintendents in other top-performing districts and with Moyer after factoring in benefits.

Yonke is one of the consultants with Oak Park-based School Exec Connect, which is helping the district recruit a new superintendent.

"The work of the search firm is coming to a conclusion, so she'll be leaving that capacity," Caforio said.

School board member Margaret Harrell said Yonke's service as interim superintendent will be "greatly valued."

"She has some familiarity already with having been principal for many years at York High School and having lived in the community," Harrell said. "This is an opportunity that works well for the district."

On Monday, the district revealed Moyer's decision to leave three months earlier than scheduled. He had planned to stay through June 30. In January, he announced he would leave this summer to become the superintendent of the Arlington Central School District, which is based near Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The district is about the same size as Elmhurst's, which has more than 8,000 students.

The board approved a resignation agreement with Moyer on Wednesday.

Receiving a pension with the Teachers Retirement System, Yonke can work no more than 120 days in a school year or she will lose her benefits, according to regulations. Yonke was principal of York from 1998 to 2004.