Hinsdale D86 Board May End Unusual Practice

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 board members sometimes preface their votes with comments – a practice that is unlike most public bodies.

Most boards give their comments during debates, with the votes themselves being yes or no.

On Thursday, District 86 board members were asked to vote on legal bills, often a contentious issue. One member prefaced her vote with comments about her frustrations, while another responded to her before he voted.

Later in the meeting, board President Erik Held asked the board to consider changing its practice. He noted the earlier exchange.

He said it was better for board members to express their views during debates, instead of "commenting at each other during the voting period."

If the comments were made during the debate, Held said, that could influence how others vote.

Board member Debbie Levinthal clarified what Held was saying, but no one commented on whether the board should change its practice.