Hinsdale D86 Tumbles Into Sport Controversy

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 parents told the school board last week that they opposed budget cuts for Central's and South's boys gymnastics teams.

During a board meeting, parent Kristen Ashby read a May 7 email that she said came from Hinsdale Central's principal, Bill Walsh: "Hinsdale Central High School will support boys gymnastics with facilities space, practice time and time for competition. However, Hinsdale Central cannot continue to financially support the coaching stipend for the boys gymnastics team. This practice aligns with how previous emerging sports have been treated."

No officials disputed that Walsh wrote the email.

Asked on Tuesday about the email, the district's spokesman, Alex Mayster, said he hadn't confirmed that Walsh wrote it.

"But things change. Bill's email on May 7 was prior to the Board of Education's input on May 9," Mayster told Patch. "Please do not state outdated information as factual a week later."

He said the district is still working on developing a plan for boys gymnastics.

During public comments, Ashby and others said they were unhappy with the months-long process of conversations about budget cuts.

"Members of the gymnastics community were directly deceived, and information was intentionally withheld," she said.

Later in the meeting, interim Superintendent Raymond Lechner said the district plans to organize the gymnastics teams at Central and South as a combined co-op program.

Walsh's email follows a decision by the Illinois High School Association to classify boys gymnastics as an "emerging" sport, meaning the association will no longer hold its tournaments.

Lacrosse and rugby were once considered emerging before they gained greater popularity.

Board member Jeff Waters said it was clear that District 86's decision to cut the budget for boys gymnastics was not student-focused. He referred to a "labor wrinkle" – parents said a coach was leaving – that he said led to the action.

"I'm just dumbfounded that we are making decisions that are not student-focused and student-driven," Waters said.

Walsh took exception to that statement.

"With all due respect, Jeff, it was student-focused. We didn't discount students," he said.

He said the school was trying to be fiscally responsible and follow past practice with emerging sports such as lacrosse and rugby.

"There is concern about precedent," he said.

Waters said he didn't intend any offense when he said he felt the administration was working against students.

Board President Catherine Greenspon said the board needed to find out the costs of the program as a co-op compared to continuing to run programs at both schools.

The issue is on the agenda for the board's finance committee meeting, which is set for 4 p.m. Wednesday at the district's central office at 5500 S. Grant St.

Greenspon noted boys gymnastics was a spring sport.

"We'll take a look at the financials," she said. "There is plenty of time right now."