Schools
Unusual Way That Hinsdale D86 Official Left
She quietly left and then a resident read her resignation letter a little while later.
DARIEN, IL – Kay Gallo, a Hinsdale High School District 86 board member, did not announce her own resignation at Thursday's board meeting.
That was left to resident Yvonne Mayer, a longtime critic of the district.
Gallo attended most of the board's more than four-hour meeting. She voted with the majority for the appointment of Abed Rahman to fill the seat left vacant by her ally, Debbie Levinthal, who resigned in frustration last month.
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Before that vote, Gallo said she was "very happy" the board selected someone from the Hinsdale South community. That area has been underrepresented on the board for the last couple of years.
"I thought that was quite important doing that," Gallo said.
Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
She joined in the applause after the vote went Rahman's way. As he took the oath of office, Gallo put on her coat.
Shortly afterward, Gallo got up and could be heard telling member Jeff Waters, who sits next to her, that she had to go.
A few minutes later, Gallo emailed her resignation letter to reporters from Patch and the Hinsdalean, a weekly newspaper.
During public input about 20 minutes later, Mayer dropped Gallo's bombshell when she read the letter to the public.
In that letter, Gallo said she had no faith in the board's leadership. A Friday story in Patch detailed the letter's contents.
After she read the letter, Mayer said that because of the board's leadership, "the house is now burned to the ground."
"Your two most effective, intelligent and grounded board members have resigned," Mayer said. "It's disgusting that the collective behavior of the board leadership caused that. In my opinion, the damage is beyond repair. Good luck to all of you."
The board said nothing, sticking to its policy of not responding to public comments.
The next public commenter was resident Linda Burke, who has attended board meetings for nearly three decades.
"Hi, Dr. Rahman, I would like to welcome you to the place where a great political future goes to die," Burke joked.
Board members, including Rahman and board President Catherine Greenspon, laughed.
The board has 60 days to fill the seat.
Gallo did not return a call for comment Friday.
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