D-86 Official Leaves Months Earlier Than Expected

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale High School District 86's top human resources official appears to have left his position more than two months earlier than expected, adding to the mystery surrounding his resignation.

On June 18, the school board held a special meeting about Domenico Maniscalco, the district's chief human resources officer. The members met in closed session and then opened the doors to vote to accept his resignation, which the board said was effective Sept. 15. But the district cast doubt on that timeline minutes after the board meeting when it released a statement saying it planned to fill the position on an interim basis.

On Friday, the school board's human resources committee plans to discuss the interim human resources position.

In an email Wednesday, Patch asked the district's spokesman, Chris Jasculca, whether Maniscalco was still on the job. He responded, "The work of the department is being carried out by our HR support staff, as well as administrators who are taking on additional responsibilities until the interim position is filled."

He did not answer Patch's question about Maniscalco's last day.

When Patch contacted another human resources employee, the woman took down a message that she indicated would be given to Maniscalco. His photo and contact information are still listed on District 86's website.

Patch left a message with Maniscalco through his LinkedIn page. It was not immediately returned.

Maniscalco has been in human resources for 16 years, the last seven of which as District 86's chief human resources officer.

It's unusual for a school board to hold a special meeting about a resignation. The District 86 board could have taken up Maniscalco's resignation at its regular meeting a week later.

The district has declined to discuss the circumstances of Maniscalco's departure.

After the board voted on Maniscalco's resignation, Patch submitted a records request seeking any documents involving issues that led to Maniscalco's departure or any agreements or promises made in connection with his resignation.

The district replied that the only document responsive to the request was the original statement, which was attributed to Superintendent Tammy Prentiss. In that statement, Prentiss praised Maniscalco, calling him a "trusted colleague and valuable member of our team."

A few months ago, Maniscalco made the news when he investigated a Hinsdale South High School's teacher's alleged racial slurs during a Black History Month "Empathy" lesson.

"It is my finding that you made an extremely bad judgment call and did not properly hear or listen to your students that day," Maniscalco said in a memo to the teacher.