Hinsdale D86 Leader Gets Unanimous Backing

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story wrongly stated board member Abed Rahman was silent when other board members praised board President Catherine Greenspon at the April 11 meeting. In fact, he said he seconded the praise.

DARIEN, IL – The Hinsdale High School District 86 board on Monday unanimously voted to keep Catherine Greenspon as its president for a second year, despite the teachers union urging for her to be replaced.

It was the first unanimous vote for a board president since April 2020. That was when a board with an entirely different membership voted to keep Kevin Camden.

Since 2019, the board has had six presidents – Bill Carpenter, Nancy Pollak, Camden, Terri Walker, Erik Held and Greenspon.

Also on Monday, the board re-appointed Vice President Peggy James and Secretary Asma Akhras.

Last week, the teachers union issued a statement calling for a new president, citing high administrative turnover and accusing the board of creating "toxic" working and learning conditions.

Before Monday's meeting, little doubt remained that Greenspon would get another year. At a meeting a few weeks ago, four of Greenspon's six colleagues praised her after a board critic called for her ouster.

Member Terri Walker was silent at the earlier meeting.

Walker is a holdover from the previous board and supported former Superintendent Tammy Prentiss, whom the new board majority showed the door last June.

Walker wasn't at Monday's meeting. She was said to be traveling on business.

Her husband, Gregory Walker, spoke during the public comment period. He said board members' camaraderie is greater than the public knows.

"(Member) Jeff Waters was at our house a couple of days ago speaking to our freshman and graciously agreeing to speak to him about investments and trading," Walker said. "He gave some thought-provoking, insightful information, so much so that despite Jeff's and my political differences, I might even consider talking with him about politics and endorsing him if he runs for higher office. Don't get it twisted, I probably won't. At least I'm open-minded and listening."

He said he and his wife attended a black-tie event with Greenspon and that he had dinner with member Akhras and her husband.

Gregory Walker also read a statement from his wife. She said she supported the union speaking out, as it did when it showed up in force at Thursday's meeting.

"Please note that I hear you as a board member. I do not consider your public statements to be an ambush," Terri Walker said in her statement, referring to a comment by James at Thursday's meeting.

Resident Jennifer Gannon, who criticized the union's actions, noted it called for more collaboration between the administration and teachers.

But she said teachers did not show such grace toward a "beloved teacher" who disagreed with proposed changes to the social studies curriculum.

Gannon acknowledged administrative turnover has been unprecedented, but she said the union failed to show the high rate was related to Greenspon's role.

Another resident, Liz Mitha, who criticized the board, identified herself as the mother of two future Hinsdale South students. She is also a board member for Cass School District 63.

Mitha said the board should work with the union when it has complaints, but that hasn't happened.

"Rather than try to validate any concerns or indicate a desire to work together, board members said things like, 'I want to add collective bargaining to the agenda' and 'It's an ambush,'" Mitha said.

She was referring to board member Jeff Waters. After last Thursday's public comments, Waters called for the board to discuss the union contract behind closed doors. Teachers are in the first year of a four-year agreement.

The board quickly voted for its officers. No one had any competition.

"Cat Greenspon has done an outstanding job," Waters said.