Incoming D86 Leader To Meet With Parents, Staff

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86's new superintendent plans to get close to those on the front lines after he takes the helm.

As part of his hiring, Michael Lach, who starts July 1, drafted a "Superintendent Entry Plan."

Patch heard about the document earlier this month and filed a public records request for it. Shortly before the district released the plan to Patch, it posted the record online and alerted the public through an email.

In the public email, Lach said that when he prepared the plan, it was based solely on his review of public information presented at board meetings, without any access to internal information.

Lach, now an assistant superintendent of curriculum for Highland Park-based Township School District 113, said he was sure the details of his plan would change in the coming weeks and months.

In the document, Lach said District 86 rests on a solid foundation, with people and outcomes that are "rightfully the envy" of other districts.

"Yes, tremendous opportunities exist – around governance and decision-making, around the distribution of opportunities, around student outcomes," he said. "With a new superintendent, the time is right to refresh the strategic plan and determine what necessary advances can be put in place before the 2025-26 school year."

Lach promised to see the day-to-day work of the schools. During each school visit, he would observe classrooms, sit in on previously scheduled meetings and routines, and do some job shadowing.

He said he would visit each school three times during his first month and set a schedule for later visits.

During his first three months, Lach said he would conduct one listen-and-learn session with parents and one with staff at each school.

He also said he would schedule listen-and-learn sessions with, at a minimum, eight employee groups – administrative assistants, assistant principals, athletic directors, central office staff, department chairs, teachers union leadership, principals and technology support.

Most of the planning for the 2025-26 year would occur this fall, Lach said. Retreats on District 86's data from the Illinois Report Card would be held with the "strategic planning team" in September and October, he said.

The team would then hold retreats on vision and setting the district's direction in November and December, Lach said.

In January, the board would then vote on the resulting plan, he said.

The planning team would be made up of 25 to 35 people, selected to "balance representation and perspectives across various roles," he said.

Also in his plan, Lach promised a weekly email update to all staff, a monthly video update to the community and all-staff town halls every six months.

The district recently released Lach's job application in response to a public records request.

Lach has been attending school board meetings since before the board appointed him last month.