York High School Security Measures Detailed

ELMHURST, IL – York High School is expected to become more secure with a project later this year.

At Wednesday's school board meeting, Chris Whelton, assistant superintendent of finance, detailed the plan.

In December, the school board approved bids totaling $330,975 for the security work at York.

The project is focused on perimeter controls, which Whelton said was one of the most important factors for student safety.

"York High School is our largest building, and adding secure vestibules makes a significant improvement to security controls for York and the district," he said.

Visitors, Whelton said, would be vetted at a pass-through window, where they will show IDs.

"The York vestibule office will include flat panel displays so that the staff member can also be monitoring the surveillance cameras when they are not vetting visitors," Whelton said.

Also, he said several exterior doors would be equipped with sensors, so certain employees can be alerted by text or email about unauthorized entries.

The project is set to start in early June and end two months later.

Whelton also spoke about the ongoing renovation of the Madison Early Childhood Center, which started last summer and is expected to last a year.

Last fall, the district said the Madison project would cost $11.9 million.

York and the Madison are among the last projects paid for by a $168 million referendum that voters approved in 2018.

Last month, Whelton entered an agreement with the board for his resignation at the end of February. His office's practices are under investigation.

Under the agreement, Whelton must work remotely until his departure. But he can work in the central office with the superintendent's permission, which he must have gotten for Wednesday's meeting.

Whelton was the supervisor of Todd Schmidt, the district's facilities director, who resigned in early December. Schmidt's exit was after he was arrested in Rockford on charges of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from his mother.

Through a public records request, Patch found that Schmidt logged more than $46,000 in personal expenses, including on booze and cigars, on the district's credit card. He paid back the money every month, but essentially was receiving unofficial, short-term loans.

The district has declined to say whether Whelton or someone else approved the expenses.