Emails From Ex-Hinsdale D86 Official Released

HINSDALE, IL – In the days before her resignation, Hinsdale High School District 86 board member Debbie Levinthal wrote to her colleagues about closed session minutes and social studies changes.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained Levinthal's emails to board members in the 10 days before she left in frustration.

On Sept. 12, she sent an email titled, "Closed Session Minutes," to the other six board members.

The district blacked out the entire message, except her last sentence, "I look forward to a timely response."

None of her colleagues apparently answered, at least by email.

At a board meeting two days later, Levinthal accused member Peggy James of making a "hypocritical statement" about closed session minutes.

Levinthal had often allied herself with James before, even joining a walkout during a dispute over closed session minutes a year earlier.

In redacting Levinthal's email, the district cited exceptions to the state's open records law allowing it to keep secret the content of closed session meetings.

Also on Sept. 12, a couple of board members emailed Levinthal, who chaired the Academic Committee, about the status of social studies changes.

Levinthal said the administration would propose a few new courses, including Advanced Placement Modern World History.

She opposed a plan to de-emphasize AP European History by moving it to 11th grade, from 10th grade. In 11th grade, most students take U.S. History.

Levinthal relayed the administration's proposal. AP Modern World History, she said, was an additional opportunity for sophomores, not a replacement for European History.

She said the district had no plan to eliminate European History at the sophomore level "in the near future." (The school board has yet to vote on the administration's plan.)

Levinthal resigned Sept. 18. It was hours after the board held a special meeting to launch a new investigation. Levinthal and member Kay Gallo dissented.