'Collective Frustration' In D-86

HINSDALE, IL — A top official in Hinsdale High School District 86 on Friday expressed "our collective frustration" in dealing with the "seemingly contradictory" information on the coronavirus.

In a mass email late Friday morning, Superintendent Tammy Prentiss said she has been left confused and frustrated by information provided by other levels of government. She noted that Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during his news conference that events that would attract more than 1,000 people are prohibited, yet schools the size of South and Central, both of which are well more than 1,000, should stay open.

She also said the situation involving the sectional basketball game between South and Benet Academy changed several times over the course of a few hours based on the information and direction from the Illinois High School Association.

"Despite our collective frustration, I also know how difficult it is for our local, state and national health organizations and government agencies to manage this constantly evolving situation, and appreciate all of their efforts to help us navigate it in a manner that will best preserve and protect everyone’s health and safety," Prentiss said in the email.

The superintendent said the plan as of now is to keep the schools open. Any schools in DuPage County that have moved to e-learning are doing so against the guidance of the Regional Office of Education and the DuPage County Health Department, she said. She noted no confirmed coronavirus cases have occurred in DuPage County.

"While we intend to proceed with spring sports and activities as scheduled, this situation also remains fluid," Prentiss said. "For example, all home and away events for sports teams at Hinsdale Central that were scheduled for this weekend have been canceled. I will work with the buildings to ensure that information or updates are shared in a timely manner, and provide clear direction about how to proceed."

Prentiss said the officials must consider the possible "ripple effect" of closing the schools. For instance, the two high schools have more than 500 students who qualify for free or reduced price lunches. Others also receive services such as social work, physical therapy and occupational therapy. The district must figure out how to continue those services should it move to e-learning, she said.

The high schools were closed Thursday as the district awaited the outcome of a medical test for a South student who may have been exposed to the coronavirus. The student's test came back negative, so the schools reopened.

District 86 has canceled all academic field trips and all in-state and out-of-state trips and events.