D-86 'Antiracist' Pacts: Lawyers Heavily Involved In Request

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale High School District 86 officials appear reluctant to reveal much about the controversy surrounding "antiracist" consultants who resigned under pressure in September after one of them tweeted an anti-police message.

In early October, Patch received 89 pages from the district involving emails about the contracts with Saxman Consulting and Anew Collective Consulting. As it turns out, other records show the district's outside lawyers spent more than three hours on Patch's request, billing the district more than $900.

But the documents gave little indication about the behind-the-scenes discussions among officials in reaction to a retweet from consultant Christine Saxman. It read, "Cops quitting because they won't get vaxxed feels like a real two-birds-one-stone situation."

In one email from the public records request, board member Jeff Waters asked for a special board meeting before the regular one in mid-September, apparently wanting to discuss the consultants' contract.

Board President Terri Walker replied the discussion would happen at the regular meeting. In a later email, Walker announced the consultants agreed to terminate their contract.

Most of the rest of the documents were emails from residents upset over the consultants.

It turns out the district did have a stash of emails between board members about the controversy.

Later in October, resident Yvonne Mayer obtained 42 pages of emails among board members about the consultants. One component of her request was for emails about the new contract with Anew and Saxman, while the other part was for emails about the previous year's agreement.

In August, a 5-2 board majority approved the since-terminated contract. The previous year, the superintendent entered an agreement with the consultants, but never presented it to the board.

All 42 pages of the records given to Mayer were redacted, except salutations. The district cited the exemption under the state's open records law for preliminary notes and correspondence dealing with "predecisional" matters. But that would not apply to messages about last year's since-expired contract.

More than two weeks ago, Patch submitted the same request as Mayer's, contending that it appeared the district was mistaken in redacting at least some documents. The district is required under law to respond within five business days, unless it seeks an extension. It sought the extension.

The consultants were hired to provide staff "antiracist" and "equity" training.

Many conservatives are upset over the consultants' contract, contending it is part of the effort to bring critical race theory into the schools. The theory is traditionally used in college courses about racism's impact on society's institution. But conservatives have expanded the definition to include other race-related issues.