East Aurora High School Board Fires Principal Jerry Cook
The board voted unanimously to terminate the principal on March 18, 2024, citing failures in student and staff procedures.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Administration
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On March 18, 2024, the East Aurora High School board voted 7-0 to fire principal Jerry Cook. The superintendent recommended the dismissal after citing procedural lapses regarding student outplacement and staff evaluations.
Why it matters
The board termination followed concerns that students were outplaced without due process and five assistant principals were not evaluated by Cook. These administrative failures prompted the superintendent to issue a suspension prior to the official board vote.
The school board action involved two students who were outplaced without due process and five assistant principals who were not evaluated as required. Jerry Cook was subsequently hired in July 2024 as the Special Education Program Supervisor for Cicero District 99.
The players
Jerry Cook
He is the former principal of East Aurora High School and a candidate for Kane County regional superintendent.
John Jonak
He is the incumbent candidate for the Kane County regional superintendent position who was appointed to the role in July 2025.
Pat Dal Santo
She served as the regional superintendent for Kane County until her retirement on June 30, 2025.
The details
The superintendent sought the termination after internal reviews highlighted significant lapses in administrative oversight at the school. Cook later transitioned to a supervisory role in another school district following the conclusion of his tenure in Aurora.
Timeline
March 18, 2024: The school board voted 7-0 to terminate Jerry Cook.
March 19, 2024: Jerry Cook received a formal termination letter.
July 2024: Jerry Cook was hired by Cicero District 99.
June 30, 2025: Pat Dal Santo retired as regional superintendent.
July 1, 2025: John Jonak was appointed as regional superintendent.
Culture Shift
This termination reflects a broader trend of school boards enforcing strict administrative accountability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act due process requirements. It highlights a shift where oversight of student placement and staff evaluation has become a primary metric for leadership performance.
Residents may see changes in how administrative oversight is handled at East Aurora High School following this termination. Families with students in the district should be aware of the protocols for staff evaluations and student outplacement processes as part of their engagement with school governance.
The takeaway
Administrative oversight and adherence to legal procedural requirements are critical for school leadership stability. Parents and taxpayers can monitor these standards through public school board meeting minutes and district policy reports.
What happens next
The Kane County regional superintendent general election is scheduled to occur on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local school governance, visit Aurora Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Shaw Local.
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