D-86 Leader Involved With Controversial Message?

DARIEN, IL — The superintendent of Hinsdale High School District 86 appears to have been involved in revising a consultant's statement that labeled Hinsdale a "dangerous" place.

At the Jan. 13 school board meeting, Superintendent Tammy Prentiss caused an uproar after she read the letter of withdrawal from Valda Valbrun, a North Carolina-based consultant. Valbrun was poised to get a consulting contract to provide staff with anti-racism training.

In response to a public records request, the district on Monday released emails showing that Valbrun emailed Prentiss on Jan. 12 with her letter of withdrawal.

The next day, Prentiss emailed back Valbrun with a revised withdrawal statement. Prentiss' version included the addition of perhaps two of the most controversial sentences. Prentiss' email to Valbrun was titled, "Please preview."

One of the sentences added to Valbrun's letter said, "I got several messages yesterday and really think Hinsdale is a dangerous place and would not be physically comfortable there."

In the next part of the letter, Valbrun decried attempts to discredit herself and the inequities in the district. Prentiss' email added the sentence, "It's shameful, and I feel sorry for the students that have to experience this and don't have the privilege of walking away."

The district explained the additional sentences to Noel Manley, who requested the documents. It said the revisions to the statement reflected in Prentiss' email were added at Valbrun's request.

District 86 spokesman Chris Jasculca said claims that the superintendent was involved in drafting Valbrun's statement are inaccurate.

"Ms. Valbrun asked that her original statement be updated after receiving additional emails and messages from members of the community," Jasculca said in a statement to Patch. "She communicated that request to Superintendent Prentiss during several conversations that took place between the evening of Jan. 12 and the afternoon of Jan. 13. The email from Superintendent Prentiss that is being referenced by community members was simply meant to confirm the accuracy of the language that Ms. Valbrun asked be added to her statement."

Valbrun couldn't be reached for comment.

At last week's school board meeting, residents questioned why Prentiss decided to read Valbrun's withdrawal letter at the Jan. 13 meeting. They said Valbrun's statement were an insult to District 86. Some even called for Prentiss' removal for her role in the situation.