Leader On Leave: Hinsdale D86 May Act

HINSDALE, IL – The board for Hinsdale High School District 86 is holding another closed meeting Wednesday about personnel issues, likely involving Superintendent Tammy Prentiss.

According to the meeting agenda, the board may emerge to take possible action to approve employee leave and the acting status of an employee.

The agenda did not give the names of the employees involved.

But the board is likely referring to Prentiss as the employee on leave. In a mass email last week, the board announced she was taking a "leave of absence."

The board also said Chris Covino, assistant superintendent for academics, was the acting superintendent.

The board has not revealed whether it was Prentiss' choice to go on leave. Earlier this month, a new board majority critical of Prentiss took control.

Last Tuesday's email announcing Prentiss' leave was a day after the board met behind closed doors. The board took no action.

The board's email did not say who named Covino the acting superintendent. No board member, even the board president, can act alone.

Covino's contract states the board and superintendent reserve the right to reassign him to different duties from time to time.

Because the board did not take action, it may have been Prentiss herself who named Covino as acting superintendent. Patch has filed a request for records showing who made the decision.

Board members have not commented on the situation. Members Kay Gallo and Asma Akhras have referred questions to board President Catherine Greenspon, who has not returned Patch's numerous messages.

Prentiss' contract runs through July 31, 2024. The board may need to negotiate a severance package for Prentiss to resign before her contract expires.