Hinsdale South Student Says D86 Board Member Bullied and Harassed Her

A Hinsdale South student, claiming a school board member bullied her, is seeking the resignation or removal of Claudia Manley from the Hinsdale High School District 86 Board of Education.

Through a change.org petition, which has more than 500 signatures and is growing, Marissa Dupont of Burr Ridge wrote that Manley bullied and harassed her March 12 and 13 as Dupont handed out pamphlets for the Planson-Hirsman-Carpenter slate outside Hinsdale South High School before the spring play.

Dupont wrote that Manley approached her March 12 and said her behavior was inappropriate, that she was a bully and she was ruining her daughter’s senior play. Dupont wrote that Manley, an attorney, harassed her for 10 minutes until Manley’s husband reminded her that the play was about to begin.

Dupont wrote an email to D86 Superintendent Bruce Law to ask if it was legal to hand out flyers outside the school, and Law emailed back to say doing so did not violate school policy, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Dupont handed out flyers again Friday before the play, and she told the Tribune that Manley yelled at her this time.

The teen said Manley brought her to tears with her actions.

“I have had a tough time with bullying in middle school,” Dupont said.

“I have received overwhelming support from my teachers and administrators in this unfortunate situation,” Dupont wrote. “However, this behavior shouldn’t be acceptable from anyone-- board member, parent, or adult. She should resign her position or be compelled to by the Board of Education.”

The petition to remove Manley from the board aims to collect 1,000 signatures. As of Tuesday afternoon, the petition has 750 signatures.

Manley, who is not up for re-election, is currently part of the board majority. This election is the first following last year’s contentious teacher-contract negotiations.

RELATED: Claudia Manley’s 2013 election bio

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