Hinsdale 86 Board Splits On 'Antiracist' Training Contract

HINSDALE, IL — Some Hinsdale High School District 86 board members last week wanted a presentation from consultants who were set to be hired to provide "antiracist" and "race consciousness" training to the district's staff.

But the board majority apparently had no desire for a presentation. Members voted 5-2 to hire two consulting firms to do "equity" work for the district.

Under the contract, two firms, Anew Collective Consulting and Saxman Consulting, will get paid $52,000 over the next 10 months.

The consultant-led training is voluntary for employees. Officials said the costs in later years would drop as more employees get the training.

Board member Erik Held said he would not oppose a presentation for the board if the majority wanted it.

"It seems like some of the fear is because there is a racial component to it," Held said. "There is an accusation that this is critical race theory or something along that line and that we're heading down a Marxist path. It has clearly been stated that it has not been that at all. It is rather a standard form of professional development."

He said the board approves other contracts with consultants, but does not necessarily request presentations.

"Why are we pulling this out?" he asked. "I want to make sure we're doing this for a positive reason and not because someone is afraid of a bogeyman that isn't even under a bed."

In response, member Jeff Waters said some of the training's content items seemed vague and that he needed more clarity. He said the term "equity" strikes fear in some who believed it serves a few while degrading opportunities for all.

"We have heard this back and forth at board meetings in the past, where people will come in with concern about CRT (critical race theory). I don't think that's the focal point of this concern of mine. I'm just looking for more clarity. If there's no bogeyman, and I'm sure there's not, that's not the spirit. The spirit is simply to understand what it is."

When board President Terri Walker called for a vote, Waters asked whether the board would get a presentation.

Walker said no and that the board needed to vote.

When member Peggy James called for a delay, she was told training had already been set up before school starts.

James and Waters voted against the contract. Members Held, Walker, Debbie Levinthal, Kathleen Hirsman and Cynthia Hanson were in the majority.