New D86 Leader Lacks Superintendent Experience – Does It Matter?

HINSDALE, IL – The Hinsdale High School District 86 board appointed a new superintendent Wednesday.

Michael Lach has an extensive background in science and math curricula. But he has no experience as a superintendent. That was the reason member Jeff Waters was the lone dissenter in the vote for Lach.

Lach is now the assistant superintendent of curriculum for Highland Park-based Township High School District 113. He is expected to take District 86's helm this summer. His name was released as the expected new superintendent a day earlier.

Lach's lack of experience as a superintendent is not unusual. District 86's last two superintendents, Bruce Law and Tammy Prentiss, also had no such experience; they were District 86 assistant superintendents beforehand.

In 2021, the superintendents in Elmhurst School District 205, with more than 8,000 students, and Lyons Township High School, with nearly 4,000, were hired without any superintendent experience.

In last year's campaigns for the District 86 school board, all five candidates said superintendent experience was important. They were responding to a questionnaire from the Hinsdalean weekly newspaper about "qualities of a new superintendent."

Catherine Greenspon, now the board president, wrote, "The person should have experience as a superintendent in a destination district like D86..."

Another winner in the election, Asma Akhras, said it was important to hire a person with experience as a superintendent in a district similar to District 86.

Kay Gallo, who was elected but resigned from the board in October, said superintendent experience was important.

Andrew Catton, who lost in his bid, went even further. He said the person should have at least 10 years of experience as a superintendent.

The other losing candidate, Deborah Willoughby, also cited the need for superintendent experience.

In a news release Wednesday, District 86 said Lach served as a senior fellow at Achieve in Washington, where he helped states and districts develop and use mathematics, science and literacy standards in their improvement efforts.

He also was the director of STEM and strategic initiatives for the University of Chicago. (STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.) There, he assisted partners such as NASA, the National Science Foundation and the Council of the Great City Schools, the news release said.

During President Barack Obama's first term, Lach led STEM education policy.

He also served as an administrator in the Chicago Public Schools, including as the director of math and science.

Additionally, Lach spent nine years as a high school science teacher in New Orleans, New York City and Chicago.

In a statement through the district, Lach said, "There is tremendous capacity and opportunity here, and I have deep respect for the history and reputation of Hinsdale Township High School District 86. Throughout the interviewing process, I’ve been impressed by just how much this community cares about its schools and students."

The superintendent's position became vacant when the board ousted Prentiss in June. Interim superintendents have been in charge since then.

Patch left messages for comment with Greenspon and Akhras about their statements about superintendent qualifications in their campaigns. They did not respond.