Hinsdale D86 Reveals Leader's Pay Status

HINSDALE, IL – The Hinsdale High School District 86 board revealed something Wednesday that it apparently wanted to keep secret before – whether the superintendent was still being paid.

In a vote, the board voted unanimously to affirm paid leave for Superintendent Tammy Prentiss and the designation of Chris Covino as acting superintendent.

Last week, the Hinsdalean newspaper asked board President Catherine Greenspon whether Prentiss, who was on a "leave of absence," was still being paid. Greenspon declined to answer.

Before Wednesday's meeting, Patch asked Greenspon a series of questions about the superintendent's situation, including her pay status, as Greenspon walked into the district's central office. She repeatedly said "no comment."

Patch then proceeded to ask every other board member present the same question about Prentiss' pay. All declined to say, with some referring questions to Greenspon.

On May 16, the district issued an announcement about Prentiss' leave and Covino's status as acting superintendent. It was a day after the board held a closed meeting on personnel issues.

On Wednesday, Greenspon declined to say who made those decisions. Under state law, the board must take votes on such issues in public. It cannot make those decisions behind closed doors.

Patch has filed a public records request to see documentation showing who originally designated Covino as acting superintendent.

On Wednesday, the board met for nearly two hours in closed session. The only other person attending was attorney Joseph Perkoski, a managing partner with the Chicago-based Robbin Schwartz law firm, which represents schools.

The firm is serving as the special counsel in matters apparently dealing with Prentiss. Perkoski's specialties are labor and employment issues.

Earlier this month, a new board majority took control of the board when pro-Prentiss members' terms expired.

The old board knew the new majority would oppose Prentiss. In January, it changed the superintendent's contract to prevent her from being fired based on the results of an investigation into her handling of an anti-racist consultant.

The old majority also extended Prentiss' contract by a month, to July 31, 2024.

The new board may choose to negotiate a severance package with Prentiss for her to leave early.

One of Prentiss' allies, Terri Walker, is a holdover. On Wednesday, she voted along with the others on Prentiss' leave and Covino's appointment. She declined to answer Patch's questions, so it was unclear whether she changed her mind about Prentiss.

Newly elected member Asma Akhras was the only board member who missed the meeting.