Elmhurst SD 205 board approves resignation agreement for assistant superintendent Christopher Welton

The Elmhurst School District 205 Board of Education on Jan. 16 approved a resignation agreement with Christopher Welton, the district—s assistant superintendent for finance and operations, by a 6-0 vote with one member absent.

The agreement, as presented to the board, makes Welton—s resignation effective March 1, 2025; provides for continued salary-based compensation and transitional service availability through April 30, 2025, "as required by Illinois law"; and continues district-provided health insurance through June 30, 2025. The board authorized the board president and the secretary to sign the agreement on the district—s behalf.

Board members moved and seconded the motion before voting. Board member Miss Cafforio moved approval and Miss Hasler seconded. The roll call recorded the following votes: Miss Cafforio — yes; Miss Hasler — yes; Miss Assipp — yes; Miss Trautman — yes; Dr. Henry — yes; Miss Arvanites — yes. One member, Mr. Collins, was recorded as absent. The motion passed with six ayes, zero nays, and one absence.

A board member who spoke during the meeting credited Welton with improving the district—s financial standing since his hire in July 2011. The board member said the district moved from making budget cuts and laying off staff to being "regularly, independently audited, and rated performing highly." The board member also said the community—s trust in district finances was reflected in a referendum, saying, "the community trusted us and our finances so much that they overwhelmingly voted to approve our $168 referendum," and that a pledge the district had made about the cost to a $500,000 home during the referendum "wouldn't be more than a $150 per household, it only ended up costing $4." These comments were made on the record during the action item discussion.

The agreement notes that Welton began his employment with the district in July 2011. The board offered formal thanks for his service in the areas of educational and operational objectives; no further administrative action on this personnel matter was recorded during the meeting.

There were no public comments at the special meeting. The board announced upcoming meetings: a Committee of the Whole on Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. and a regular board meeting on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m., both at the District 205 Center in rooms 215, 16 and 17.