Hinsdale D86 Official May Get Raise

HINSDALE, IL – The Hinsdale High School District 86 board plans to close its doors Wednesday to discuss possibly giving a raise to an employee for "acting duties."

On its meeting agenda, the board did not say which employee may get the pay increase. But it's likely for Assistant Superintendent Chris Covino, who became the acting superintendent May 16. A vote is set.

Covino's most recently reported salary was $184,140. He replaced Superintendent Tammy Prentiss, who was suspended. Prentiss makes $277,471.

Covino's last day with the district is June 30. He is becoming the superintendent of La Grange School District 102, where he is set to make $225,000.

The District 86 board has not revealed its choice for acting superintendent if Prentiss remains on leave after Covino goes.

Under state law, the board is barred from talking behind closed doors about the search process either for an acting or permanent superintendent. It can speak about specific candidates in a closed session.

In an email Monday to the school board, resident Yvonne Mayer, who routinely speaks during board meetings, encouraged its members to act soon on an acting superintendent.

"Time is short," Mayer said. "If you believe or know that Ms. Prentiss will still be on leave on July 1, you will only have 16 days after your Special Meeting to hire someone. The time is now to publicly discuss the process you will follow to hire Dr. Covino's replacement as acting interim superintendent in the event one is needed. The community is watching the board right now very closely and is frankly shocked by the 'disarray' that it is witnessing from the board leadership."

Wednesday's meeting is the board's sixth special closed session since a new majority took control of the board last month.

Patch left a message for comment with board President Catherine Greenspon, who has not returned the outlet's messages since May.

Thursday will mark a month since Prentiss was suspended. She will have been paid $23,122 for not working