Push For Closed Meeting Fails In Hinsdale D-86

DARIEN, IL – An effort to close the doors during Hinsdale High School District 86's meeting Thursday night quickly failed.

At the board's regular meeting, member Jeff Waters proposed his colleagues adjourn to a closed session to discuss personnel issues.

But board President Terri Walker declined to hold a vote on the request.

"We will not be going into closed session this evening," she said.

Member Debbie Levinthal questioned why Walker would not allow a vote.

Walker, who campaigned as a team with Levinthal in last year's election, moved to the next issue without a response.

Under state law, a public body is allowed to discuss specific employees behind closed doors.

Waters did not say which employees he would like to talk about.

In January, the board held a closed session to discuss a complaint against Superintendent Tammy Prentiss and her assistant Debra Kedrowski, who handles public records requests.

The complaint alleged the two employees committed retaliatory, harassing and bullying conduct in connection with records requests.

After the closed session, the board voted 4-3 for the employees – Walker, Kathleen Hirsman, Erik Held and Cynthia Hanson in favor and Jeff Waters, Debbie Levinthal and Peggy James against. That is how the board members often align on issues.

Over the last two months, a local movement has pushed for Prentiss' ouster because of her handling of mask mandates and the district's equity effort.