District 86 Settles With Students

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale High School District 86 approved settlements with three students last week, but did not release any details about the circumstances. In all three cases, the administration recommended approval.

The board likely discussed the agreements during a closed session before its meeting. Under state law, settlements are considered public records. Hinsdale Patch has filed a request for the documents.

For one of the settlements, board member Kathleen Hirsman abstained. Fellow board member Kevin Camden asked why. Hirsman, a senior lecturer at the Education Law and Policy Institute at Loyola University's School of Law, said the person involved in the settlement was represented by a member of Loyola's legal clinic. Camden responded, "I wanted it for the record that you avoided any appearance of impropriety."

The board's votes were unanimous. Member Marty Turek was absent.