See Video: Ex-Hinsdale D-86 Allies Argue At Meeting

DARIEN, IL — They were once allies. No more.

In the spring, Debbie Levinthal and Terri Walker teamed up to run for the Hinsdale High School District 86 board.

At their first meeting in May, Levinthal stood by Walker in her bid to be the board's president. Three factions jockeyed to get the top job, enduring 10 ballots before Walker was elected.

In the months since, Walker drifted toward the three board holdovers, Kathleen Hirsman, Erik Held and Cynthia Hanson. Meanwhile, Levinthal sided with the two other newly elected members, Peggy James and Jeff Waters.

Thursday's board meeting removed any doubt that Walker and Levinthal's alliance is a thing of the past.

At the meeting, Levinthal proposed forming two committees — one for curriculum matters, the other for course offerings and schedule conflicts. Levinthal pushed their creation months ago. The second committee was in response to Hinsdale South students who feel they are getting the short end of the stick.

For the first committee, Walker told the seven-member board she wanted to see a show of hands of supporters. Only Levinthal, Waters and James did so.

Walker said the majority ruled and that she would move on to the next committee.

Levinthal protested, "Where in board policy does it state that you have the authority to not let us engage in discussion?"

Walker advised Levinthal to connect with her fellow board members outside the meeting and try to persuade them to support her idea, as long as she complied with the state's open meetings law.

Levinthal replied, "I'm surprised that you're not in favor of this based on what we both campaigned on."

As Levinthal and her allies continued to object, Walker slammed her gavel and declared, "We are moving on."

With the next committee, Walker followed the same procedure, with the same three raising their hands.

Levinthal said the issue was about directing the administration to look at creative solutions to accommodate students.

Walker said a committee was unnecessary.

"Board members who want to provide insights on that matter can reach out to the superintendent," she said.

Levinthal responded, "Basically, this entire process is hijacked."

"It has not been," Walker said. "We don't have four board members who support formation of the task force."

Levinthal said the board lacked four board members willing to be open-minded.

Walker said, "Just because we don't agree doesn't mean we're not listening."

Waters also pushed for a discussion.

But Walker said issues such as course offerings and schedule conflicts are handled by the administration.

Walker then moved to other issues.

In previous meetings,Walker had shut down discussions that Levinthal and her allies wanted. But Tuesday's exchange was far more pointed.

This was a change from the month before. In November, the board's two sides appeared to have reached a high point when they struck a compromise on the science curriculum, a breakthrough on a controversial issue.

Perhaps the public comments of Levinthal's husband, Dan Levinthal, have not been forgotten in District 86. In October, he went to Hinsdale's District 181 board meeting and denounced District 86's new grading policy and the effort to change its science curriculum.

He said District 86 was treating its students like "lab rats" and pursuing a "race to mediocrity."

"I wouldn't fault parents of middle school students exploring private school options or even interviewing Realtors," he told the District 181 board.

Debbie Levinthal couldn't be reached for comment on her husband's speech.