Hinsdale D86 Board Member Misses 3 Meetings

DARIEN, IL – A Hinsdale High School District 86 board member has missed three of the seven board meetings since she took office a month ago.

Asma Akhras, a Darien resident, was one of the three newly elected members who took office May 3.

In the last two weeks, Akhras was absent from two special closed meetings and a more than five-hour regular board meeting.

Asked about her absences, Akhras said in an email that she was traveling internationally for personal matters.

"I have been in continuous communication with (board President Catherine) Greenspon keeping up to date on all pertinent issues. I am back in town and will be in attendance in sessions," Akhras said.

With a new school board majority, the last few weeks have been turbulent for the district.

On May 16, Superintendent Tammy Prentiss went on an undefined "leave of absence" and Assistant Superintendent Chris Covino was designated as the acting superintendent.

With Covino taking a job in another district at month's end, the board must appoint a new acting superintendent soon.

Akhras' last meeting was May 15. At that meeting, the board voted 5-1 to hire the Chicago-based Robbins Schwartz law firm to serve as a special counsel for the district. Akhras abstained from the vote, while member Terri Walker voted no.

The special counsel is examining a "current employee," likely Prentiss.