Update On Elmhurst D205 Investigation Into Finances

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst residents may wait a while for the results of an investigation into Elmhurst School District 205's business office.

"The board, in partnership with our attorney, has partnered with an audit firm to conduct a potential, multiple-phase analysis of our financial systems, which may take a few months," school board President Athena Arvanitis said at Tuesday's board meeting.

She said the board would update the public at later meetings.

Tuesday's board meeting was the last for Chris Whelton, assistant superintendent of finance, who runs the business office.

In December, Arvanitis announced an investigation into the use of the district's resources by Todd Schmidt, the former facilities director.

He resigned after being arrested in Rockford on charges of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from his mother.

Through public records, Patch found that Schmidt used his district credit card for $46,000 in personal expenses, including booze, cigars, restaurant meals and airfares.

Whelton, who started in 2011, was Schmidt's supervisor. Last month, Whelton entered a severance agreement with the board. The parties agreed that the district would not interfere with any claim from Whelton for unemployment benefits.