Union Blasts Hinsdale D86 Board, Calls For President's Ouster

HINSDALE, IL – The teachers union for Hinsdale High School District 86 on Thursday denounced the school board and called for replacing its president, Catherine Greenspon.

In a news release, the local Illinois Education Association chapter said the board has created "toxic" working and learning conditions. Its statement comes two days after news that Hinsdale South Principal Patrick Hardy is leaving.

The union said teachers, staff and residents would pack Thursday night's school board meeting to express their concerns. The board meets at 6 p.m. in Hinsdale South's library.

"All school members pledge an oath to work with educators and the superintendent to foster excellence in every student when they take office," John Bowman, union co-president and a Hinsdale Central math teacher, said in the release. "This is not happening."

The union said the board has made several unprecedented, "non-collaborative" decisions on curriculum development for students in math, science and social studies.

"(T)he level of administrative turnover is unprecedented and highly unusual for a district of (District 86's) caliber, signaling a deep-seated issue with the board's operational dynamics," the release said.

Besides Hardy, the staff turnover includes:

• Five acting or interim superintendents – Chris Covino, Jason Markey, Linda Yonke, Raymond Lechner and Rebecca Nelson – since the board's ouster of Superintendent Tammy Prentiss last June
• Resignation of two school board members
• Resignation of Cheryl Moore, assistant superintendent of human resources
• Resignation of Communications Director Chris Jasculca

The union said the board lacks the fiscal responsibility to oversee District 86. It said the board put Prentiss on administrative leave and then ousted her, while employing two interim superintendents, totaling $600,000 in salary, not including legal fees related to the decision.

It also said the board advocated for courses with little interest to be held with fewer than five students, while refusing to offer other classes with a similar number of interested students.

"We are asking our school board to recommit to continue the excellence in our district, which is currently jeopardized," Bowman said.

The union said it represents 361 teachers and certified staff.

The union rarely weighs in publicly on the board's actions. It last did so in October when the board rejected teacher-recommended changes to the social studies curriculum.

At the last board meeting, most members praised President Greenspon after a critic called for her ouster.

Under the board's policies, it is supposed to elect officers for the next year by the end of April. But the board did not include a reorganization on Thursday night's meeting agenda. It still could hold a special meeting by Tuesday to meet the deadline.

If the board chooses Greenspon for another year, that would be the first such re-election in a long time. The board has had six presidents since 2019.

The district serves nearly 4,000 students and is among the wealthiest in Illinois.