Residents Denounce Hinsdale D-86 Leader

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale High School District 86 has seen its share of battles in recent years. The one over the science curriculum comes to mind. So, too, do the inequities in course offerings between Hinsdale Central and South high schools.

But those issues have not drawn the crowds like the mask mandate and the controversy over an anti-racism consultant.

Nearly 200 people showed up at Thursday's school board meeting, which was moved to the Hinsdale South cafeteria to accommodate the larger crowd. Many speakers called for the firing of Superintendent Tammy Prentiss.

They were upset over her decision to keep the mask mandate this week, upheld by the board in a 5-2 vote Thursday.

And they were angry with the anti-racism consultant who issued a statement saying Hinsdale was "dangerous," a message in which Prentiss appeared to have been involved. She read the letter during a mid-January meeting.

Tammy Prentiss (center), superintendent of Hinsdale High School District 86, listens to public comments Thursday night. Many called for her firing. Next to here are board member Erik Held and board President Terri Walker. (David Giuliani/Patch)

Many came to the meeting without masks or wearing them under their chins. While the mask mandate is enforced in class, it wasn't during the board meeting.

The board heard more than 30 speakers during two public comment sessions. Each speaker got two minutes.

Loud applause followed all the speakers opposing Prentiss and the mask mandate. Only a few took the other side. Many in the audience held signs that read "Fire Tammy Prentiss" or "Enough is Enough."

Shreeman Patel, a student body senator at Central, was among a number of residents calling for Prentiss' ouster. He contended it's been proven that Prentiss drafted the statement calling Hinsdale dangerous. And he said she harbored negative feelings about the town.

"I speak on behalf of the entire student body when I say Ms. Tammy Prentiss is disconnected from the students, and our voices are not heard," Patel said to cheers. "As I walk down the walls of my once-esteemed school, I hear lots of disagreement, but agreement on one thing: Tammy Prentiss is causing confusion, and there is general disapproval of her recent actions."

He concluded, "In short, we require a change in leadership."

Resident Richard Skoda also focused on Prentiss and the anti-racism issue.

"She has implemented policies that have divided our students, parents and communities," he said. "Under her watch, students are coming home shamed for their race they have been born into. She sullied the reputation of Hinsdale by reading an inflammatory letter calling Hinsdale unsafe and racist... She falsely purported this was a letter from a third party, while she herself co-authored it."

Student Sydney Pjesky cited statistics about mental health and suicide.

"The mask mandate continues to play into these statistics. We are exhausted from being manipulated and exploited into wearing masks," Pjesky said. "This should be a personal decision. Time's up, and support the students and end the political game playing."

Hinsdale resident Reid McCollum was one of the few speakers taking the other side. He thanked Prentiss for having courage as an administrator.

McCollum said parents have valid concerns, but he said outside groups opposed to public education exploited these feelings. He also said equity training helps minimize inherent biases.

"Our children deserve the freedom to learn in a setting where teachers are best equipped to meet them where they are, no matter their race, gender identity or ability," he said.

After he walked away from the podium, several opponents of the mask mandate yelled at him, "Put your mask on!" He had taken his mask off during his speech, but wore it the rest of the time.

Imaan Zaheer, a junior at Central, took no position on the mask issue. But she said she wanted the school district to directly address the events of Monday, when confusion reigned about the continuation of the mask mandate.

She said she has seen a lack of respect and lack of empathy in the debates.

"I've personally taken time to reflect on the actions I've taken this week and the words I have said," Zaheer said, holding back tears. "I take responsibility and regret some of these comments I have left online. It's not OK. My message tonight is simply this: To everyone in this room, I encourage each of you to take some time to reflect."

Residents on both sides of the debate applauded her.