Another Hinsdale D86 Member Bowing Out

HINSDALE, IL – Another member of the majority on the Hinsdale High School District 86 board is not seeking re-election.

On Thursday, member Cynthia Hanson, who has served four years, said she decided against running in the April 4 election.

Before joining the District 86 board, she was a member of the Gower School District 62 board for four years.

"It has been my absolute honor and privilege to serve as a school board member for the last 8 years," Hanson said in an email to Patch. "It has always been my heart’s intention to serve my community in this capacity and at its conclusion move on to other endeavors. I hope I have served the community and the role well with all of the passion, energy and humility it deserves."

A day earlier, board President Erik Held said he would not run for a second term, citing his day job.

On Tuesday, Andrew Catton was the fourth person to file his candidacy for the board.

In 2021, Catton, a Hinsdale resident, submitted comments at two board meetings in which he said critical race theory was part of District 86's strategic plan.

He provided no evidence the theory was in the district's curriculum. But Catton and others across the country use the term "critical race theory" as a catch-all for equity efforts.

In October, Catton announced at a board meeting that he would submit paperwork to run for the board.

As of late Wednesday, Catton, Kay Gallo, Catherine Greenspon and Asma Akhras have filed their candidacies with the DuPage County Clerk's Office. The filing deadline is Monday.

Three of the board's seven seats are up in the election. They are held by Hanson, Held and Kathleen Hirsman.

Hirsman has not responded to a request for comment on her election plans.

Hirsman, Held, Hanson and Terri Walker make up the majority. They support Superintendent Tammy Prentiss, while members Jeff Waters, Peggy James and Debbie Levinthal criticize her.

Gallo, Greenspon and Catton are known critics of the Prentiss administration. If no one else files in the next few days, the minority could turn into a six-member majority after the April election.

Prentiss' contract runs through June 2024.