Ex-Leader Has Done No Work For Hinsdale D86

HINSDALE, IL – Usually, an ousted employee is not expected to do work for a former employer.

That's not the case with Tammy Prentiss, former superintendent of Hinsdale High School District 86.

In late June, the board ousted her through a severance agreement, with her last day June 30.

Under that pact, she was to be paid her annual salary of $277,470 and her health benefits through March 31.

The agreement also called for Prentiss to remain a "licensed administrator employee" who "shall perform administrative duties requiring licensure in consultation with the Board President."

Patch recently filed a public records request with the district seeking any documents showing whether Prentiss had done any work in the three months since leaving.

On Thursday, the district responded that it had no such records in its possession. That is an indication that Prentiss has performed no duties since her departure. It also shows that neither board President Cat Greenspon nor anyone else has requested Prentiss do work.

The board never explained why it wanted to make sure Prentiss was available to do work for the district until March. Often, the public becomes frustrated when officials get big severance packages while doing nothing.

In May, a new board majority took control that was unhappy with Prentiss, who became superintendent four years earlier. Less than two weeks later, members decided in a closed meeting to suspend Prentiss and choose an interim superintendent. (The state Open Meetings Act requires that board votes be taken in public.)

The district now has two interim superintendents. A search for a permanent superintendent is underway.