Hinsdale D86 Leader On 'Leave Of Absence'

HINSDALE, IL – Tammy Prentiss, superintendent of Hinsdale High School District 86, is on a "leave of absence" beginning Tuesday, the school board announced.

Chris Covino, assistant superintendent of academics, will serve as the acting superintendent during her leave, according to a board statement. Covino is set to leave the district June 30 to become superintendent of La Grange School District 102.

The board did not give the circumstances of the leave. It follows a special session Monday night in which the board was to appoint a special counsel. The board was also scheduled to hold two closed sessions on personnel issues as part of the meeting.

The board took no votes on Prentiss' status with the district.

In its statement, the board said it would make no further comment, "out of respect for Superintendent Prentiss's privacy and confidentiality rights."

"The Board has full faith in the ability of Chris Covino to act in Superintendent Prentiss’s absence," the board said.

A new board majority critical of Prentiss took control two weeks ago.

Board President Catherine Greenspon has not responded to Patch's repeated requests for comment over the last week.

In January, the former board majority amended Prentiss' contract, knowing that a new majority against Prentiss was certain to take control in May.

One of the new provisions prevented the board from firing Prentiss based on the investigation into her handling of an anti-racist consultant in 2022. Her actions sparked a movement against her.

The board also extended Prentiss' contract to July 31, 2024, from June 30, 2024.

Patch left a message for comment with Prentiss. As of Tuesday afternoon, Prentiss' name and photo remain on the district's website.