Did Board Let Hinsdale South Boy Back On Team?

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 this week let Hinsdale South senior Brendan Savage back on the varsity basketball team after his mother sued the district.

That much is clear. What is unclear is who made the decision.

On Tuesday night, the Chicago Sun-Times reported the District 86 board decided in its meeting Monday to allow Savage to return. That was after the coach cut him earlier this month.

The problem: Under state law, the board cannot make decisions outside an open meeting and cannot vote on any issue without public notice, which was not given.

In any case, it would be highly unusual for a board to select a student for a team. Many would see that as micromanagement.

On Wednesday morning, Patch left messages for comment with interim Superintendent Linda Yonke, board President Catherine Greenspon and district spokesman Chris Jasculca. None responded.

On Tuesday, the Savage family's attorney, Steven Glink, told Patch the school's lawyer notified him of the decision after Monday's board meeting.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court the day before Thanksgiving. The board had already planned a closed meeting for other issues Monday night.

In May, the board suspended then-Superintendent Tammy Prentiss and named an acting superintendent behind closed doors.

Because that appeared to be a violation of the state's open meetings law, Patch filed a complaint with the state Attorney General's Office, which has not ruled on it.

On Tuesday, Patch wrote a story about the federal lawsuit, which alleged the school cut Savage in retaliation for his complaint of bullying by the former coach.

According to the lawsuit, Savage appealed the coach's decision to district officials, but was denied.