Schools
Hinsdale D86 Official Leaving Next Week
The exodus of officials from the district continues. It's uncommon for an administrator to leave before the end of a budget year.
![Cheryl Moore, assistant superintendent of human resources, speaks to the Hinsdale High School District 86 board in 2023.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23697275/20240403/051527/styles/patch_image/public/cheryl-moore-assistant-superintendent-hinsdale-high-school-district-86___03170407500.jpg)
HINSDALE, IL – Another top official is leaving Hinsdale High School District 86. Her last day is next Friday.
As of Wednesday, the district was advertising the position of assistant superintendent of human resources. It is held by Cheryl Moore, who started on July 1, 2021.
Reached by phone at her office, Moore declined to comment.
Find out what's happening in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A day earlier, Patch asked the district's director of communications, Alex Mayster, whether Moore had given a five-day notice for her resignation. He said she had not, which was true because her notice was longer than five days. But he did not volunteer that Moore was leaving a week later.
After Patch saw the job announcement on the district's website Wednesday, it contacted Mayster, who confirmed Moore was leaving next week. He said he did not know when Moore submitted her letter of resignation.
Find out what's happening in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Mayster later released a statement on behalf of the district about Moore's departure, expressing gratitude for her service.
"She has been a valuable member of our leadership team and played a vital role in attracting and welcoming in quality teachers, related services staff, support staff, coaches, and administrators," the statement read. "While we are saddened to see her leave, we understand and respect her decision to pursue a new opportunity and wish her nothing but the best moving forward."
In Illinois, school officials often leave at the end of the budget year, which is June 30. Moore's three-year contract was set to expire in 2027.
Moore joins several officials who have resigned in recent months, including two school board members, an interim superintendent and the director of communications. Last June, a new board majority ousted then-Superintendent Tammy Prentiss.
Last fall, the two board members resigned effective immediately, both expressing frustration with the board's leadership. The interim superintendent, meanwhile, gave five days' notice in December.
During board meetings, Moore is known to get right to the point. Among school administrators, she has been perhaps the most direct about the disparity between Hinsdale Central and South high schools. For years, the wealthier and larger Hinsdale Central has offered a greater course selection than Hinsdale South.
"When you have 1,300 students (at South) and this many options, the math is only seven periods a day. You will not have all these classes filled, it's a mathematical improbability," Moore said at a committee meeting last year. "It is a problem, and it will be a problem every single year we do staffing."
At a board meeting a couple of weeks ago, board President Catherine Greenspon was pointed in addressing Moore. It occurred when another board member questioned resolutions calling for not renewing specific teachers' contracts.
"Wait, Cheryl Moore," Greenspon called out.
From her chair in the back of the room, Moore said, "You can proceed, and we can handle anything afterward."
"No, no, no, no," Greenspon said.
Moore said the discussions would be about specific personnel and should not be held in public.
"No, Cheryl," Greenspon said. "They're on the agenda. They're already publicly posted. My question to you is, Why don't you come up here before you make a decision? That would be appropriate, thank you."
At a microphone, Moore said she was uncomfortable having a conversation about particular employees in public.
"There are individuals attached to these resolutions," she said. "I think you can proceed."
The board postponed action until April 11.
The day after the meeting, Moore turned in her letter of resignation, according to a report by the Hinsdalean weekly newspaper on Thursday morning.
The Hinsdalean asked Moore whether her resignation was in connection with the heated discussion.
“Better not comment,” Moore was quoted as saying.
As of last school year, Moore was making a salary of $162,000. The district's advertised salary range for the job is $170,000 to $185,000.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.