Hinsdale D-86 Divided On COVID Testing

BURR RIDGE, IL – In a divided vote, the Hinsdale High School District 86 board decided last week to stick with a coronavirus testing firm that is under federal investigation.

The firm is Chicago-based Northshore Clinical Labs. The federally subsidized service is free to the district.

In the spring, ProPublica reported federal authorities were investigating Northshore on the reliability of its testing. According to the media outlet, Northshore missed 96 percent of positive cases at the University of Nevada Reno.

At last Thursday's meeting, member Jeff Waters said District 86 could simply get the tests for students to take themselves without engaging with a company, particularly one under investigation.

Waters also suggested moving on from the pandemic.

"We need to start embracing positivity. We need to start embracing normalcy and returning to it by championing teachers, students, faculty and administrators," Waters said.

He said the district should "stop leading by fear and continuing to drive the same narrative that we have been up against for the last two and a half years."

At the same time, Waters said, the district should be mindful of the risk of the coronavirus. He said the district could react "very fluidly" should the need arise.

Member Kathleen Hirsman disagreed.

"I really have a problem with what you just said. This testing service is available for free. No one is being forced to take a test," she said. "I have not read anything that does not allow them to perform this testing. If someone has concerns with the company, there is no need to take tests with the company."

Superintendent Tammy Prentiss said the district has at-home tests available for students and employees.

"It is extremely convenient," the superintendent said. "The convenience of being able to walk to the health office and get your immediate answer right then and there under the direction of someone from Northshore is something that both the health office and our assistant principals for operations requested to pursue."

The board's majority and minority factions split along their usual lines. Hirsman, Erik Held, Cynthia Hanson and Terri Walker voted for the contract, while Waters, Debbie Levinthal and Peggy James were against it.

Levinthal said her issue was with the provider, not the service.

After the vote, Waters said under his breath, "Four-to-three. Who would have thought?"