Lawyers Involved In Hinsdale D86 Student Issue: Official

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86's attorneys are involved in a student matter that some school board members wanted to talk about behind closed doors last week, an official said.

Before Thursday's closed session of the board, member Peggy James asked to include a matter related to individual students on the agenda.

After a long pause, board President Erik Held said, "I don't think this warrants a closed (session) at this time."

The board split 4-3 on James' request, voting along its usual lines. Held and members Kathleen Hirsman, Cynthia Hanson and Terri Walker were against it. James and members Jeff Waters and Debbie Levinthal were in favor.

Later in the meeting, James said she was disappointed the board declined to entertain her request.

"Our board president is aware of the conversation as well," James said. "It just needed to be a very short conversation and (am) disappointed in the lack of respect that a colleague's concerns were not afforded."

Waters asked whether the board could discuss the issue behind closed doors after the open session.

Held rejected the idea. He said it was an "ongoing conversation and attorneys are involved." It may be a closed session topic later, he said.

James responded, "A simple phone call may have resolved that, as was requested."

No one indicated what the issue entailed.