Hinsdale D86 Rift May Hurt Leader Search, Board Told

HINSDALE, IL – The old board at Hinsdale High School District 86 board had its share of well-publicized divisions. Such is the case with the new one as well.

That situation may hurt the district's search for a new superintendent, a consultant told the board last week.

Jane Westerhold of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates tried to be careful in her wording in the firm's presentation to the board.

"We do read the paper," she said. "We know there have been some challenges with the past leadership. We also know that the board sometimes has challenges."

"I hope you're not insulted by me saying these kinds of things. I don't know what I read is always right," she continued. "I think you really have a lot to offer in this school district. But you are probably going to have somewhat of a challenge with superintendents that perhaps might be a little intimidated by some of these challenges."

Board members did not respond to Westerhold's comments.

At the meeting, the board heard pitches from two search firms, Westerhold's and School Exec Connect. Members are expected to select one of them at their meeting Thursday.

When the new board majority took control in early May, members voted 4-3 for Catherine Greenspon as president. Those divisions were seen in 2021 and 2022 as well.

Less than two weeks after new members took office, the board decided behind closed doors to suspend then-Superintendent Tammy Prentiss. More than a month later, members entered a severance deal with Prentiss, meaning she gets her full $277,000 salary this year.