Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
District 205 returned to the state's top rating for the first time since 2019. ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst School District 205 is used to topping charts, not bottoming out. It's a wealthy district that typically compares well to most Illinois school systems. A year ago, the district got bad news from the Illinois School Board of Education. The state gave the district its lowest financial designation, known as "watch." There are four categories. This week, the state released its new list, with the district getting the top rating, "recognition." That is a designation that nearly 90 percent of districts enjoy. Last year, the district blamed the low rating on its change of accounting methods. In a statement to Patch on Thursday, Superintendent Keisha Campbell, who started in 2021, said the district reverted to its original accounting method, more accurately reflecting income. The new designation, she said, reflects "the district's continued fiscal responsibility and strategic investments in curriculum, staffing, facilities, and technology to support student success." With the watch designation last year, Elmhurst joined six other districts among the state's 851. Elmhurst stood out in that its population is far wealthier than that of the other districts on the watch list. 2019 was the last year that the district got the top rating. In 2020 and 2021, the state gave a "review" designation for Elmhurst. That is the second-highest category, typically given to about 10 percent of districts. In 2022, Elmhurst received an "early warning" designation, the second-lowest category. Except for one year, the district received recognition status annually from 2007 to 2019. It got early warnings in 2004 and 2005. In the state's eyes, neighboring Hinsdale High School District 86 has performed better financially over the last 22 years. For all but three years, District 86 has received the top rating annually since 2003. The exceptions were review designations.
