Elmhurst D205 Business Office Under Investigation

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst School District 205 is investigating the practices of its business office, whose leader is leaving.

This is according to the resignation agreement that Chris Whelton, assistant superintendent of finance, struck with the school board earlier this month.

Patch obtained the document through a public records request.

Whelton was the supervisor of Facilities Director Todd Schmidt, who resigned Dec. 9.

Schmidt, who is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from his mother, also used his district credit card to spend $46,000 on booze, cigars and other personal expenses. He paid back the district every month, essentially getting short-term loans.

Under his agreement, Whelton, who started in 2011, will remain employed through Feb. 28. But he must work remotely, unless the superintendent specifically authorizes him to come on site.

The agreement requires the district to give Whelton a lump-sum payment of $13,523 by May 31. He also has six unused vacation days.

The document calls for confidentiality and non-disparagement between the parties.

According to the agreement, the district has no plan to investigate Whelton's integrity because nothing implicates his character.

"The Board is, however, undertaking an investigation and review of the practices of the business office, the results of which may be made public as the Board determines to be in the best interests of the District," the agreement said.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, the district would be hard-pressed to keep secret any of the results of the investigation because the subject is finances.

The district has not given a timeline for the inquiry. It is unclear whether its outcome will be known in time for the April 1 election; board President Athena Arvanitis is the lone member seeking re-election.

The agreement includes a letter of reference for Whelton from Superintendent Keisha Campbell, in which she praises his work.

After a Dec. 10 closed meeting, Arvanitis told the public the district was investigating Schmidt's use of the district's finances and resources. He oversaw $168 million in building projects approved in a 2018 referendum.

At the time, Arvanitis hinted other employees may be disciplined.

The local police department has said it would wait to see the results of the district's investigation before deciding on what action to take.