Leave Public Schools: Hinsdale D86 Hopeful's Facebook Post

HINSDALE, IL – A candidate for the Hinsdale High School District 86 board last year shared an item online calling for families to remove their students from public schools.

The candidate, Andrew Catton of Hinsdale, also posted a story titled, "Assume Public Schools Sexually Abuse Your Kids Til Proven Otherwise."

The items in question were posted to Catton's Facebook page, which is no longer publicly accessible.

In an email to Patch, Catton said the items he shared, in the context of District 86, present reasons why parents would consider alternatives to public schools and the risks of sexual misconduct in public schools.

"This school board election will not be decided by FB posts or other misdirectional tactics, but rather dictated by frustration from the community who will not and should not tolerate the results coming from current D86 leadership," Catton said in the email.

Catton gained attention in 2021 when he accused the district of teaching critical race theory. He provided no evidence of a lesson that included the theory, but many consider equity efforts to be a part of the theory.

Last April, Catton posted a video from writer Alex Newman called "Public School Exit." Newman works for the conservative website WorldNetDaily, which is known for pushing the theory that Barack Obama was not born in the United States.

In his video, Newman said parents have two options – withdraw their children from the public schools or prepare for a future of "planetary serfdom."

Parents, he said, should treat a public school building as if it were on fire. Rather than start a petition or run for school board, parents should rush into the schools and save their children and those of others, he said.

"They're being destroyed mentally, physically, spiritually, academically, morally," Newman said in the video. "It's a cataclysm, folks. We're losing our kids. You're playing Russian roulette, except five rounds are in the chamber, instead of just one."

Students, he said, are being taught about things like abortion, "gender confusion," homosexuality and "fornication."

"We're sending (our children) to be discipled by the enemy, folks," Newman said. "We've got to put a stop to this. The commands from scripture are clear. This is not something where we have liberty in Christ. Oh yeah, you can send your children to Caesar to learn about transgenderism and occultism, and God's going to be fine with that. I don't think that's the case."

In another video, Newman refers to public schools as the government's "indoctrination centers" and their students as "victims."

In February, Catton's shared a post from The Federalist, a conservative website, about assuming sexual abuse takes place in schools, unless proven otherwise.

The article noted people don't let strangers babysit their children.

"Public schools are no different, and the repeated instances proving their abuses should drive your trust even further away," The Federalist said. "Maybe, like many Americans, you don’t feel you have what you think are feasible alternatives. Or maybe your local school district is sheltered from some of the most radical exploitation. But it behooves you to verify that first before betting your child on it."

In his email to Patch, Catton noted the experience of the Chicago Public Schools, where the inspector general reported receiving hundreds of sexual misconduct allegations in a year.

"Coupling this with multiple studies and news stories nationally about the rise of sexual misconduct in public schools in recent years and efforts to sexualize curriculum on a broader scale, residents and parents can logically ask for a public review of the district's policies in detail," Catton said.

He said the district should give some thought to the "newly growing risk" of sexual abuse, especially given the district's recent push for safety.

Much of the rest of Catton's email is about the decline in test scores at Hinsdale Central and South and his desire to oust Superintendent Tammy Prentiss.

Catton is one of five candidates for three seats on the board. The others are Kay Gallo of Clarendon Hills, Catherine Greenspon of Burr Ridge, Asma Akhras of Darien and Deborah Clare Willoughby of Westmont. None of the incumbents whose seats are up for election are running again.

The election is April 4.

Here is Andrew Catton's email to Patch:

Thanks for reaching out. As for the merits of the article and video, you would have to reach out to the author/ narrator of each for comment. Both have attention getting titles to get people to read/ watch and then make their own conclusions.

In addressing your question about connecting me to a sensationalized comment one author made in some unrelated post you found on the web, clearly has nothing to do with me or my candidacy for D86 school board. That would be akin to connecting me to support Tammy Prentiss's actions around editing a race consultant's resignation letter. As we all remember she described Hinsdale as a "dangerous place" attempting to shame the D86 community for rejecting her efforts. Clearly, I have come out against this and have been critical of the D86 board majority for not holding its employee accountable.

As far as the themes from each shared commentary, ( see below) both have relevance today if put in the context of D86.

1. Reasons why parents, as primary stakeholders in their children's educations, would consider alternatives to a public school education and

2. The risks of sexual misconduct in public schools.

Let's take #1 first. With the ELA and Math proficiency scores at both Hinsdale high schools having catastrophic declines under TP's term, it’s up to the community to determine if this is the pathway to "A tradition of Excellence” or is it finally time to take corrective action under new leadership. As reported on the ISBE report cards, HS south proficiency scores have dropped to #s in the 30%s with with HC's dropping to the low 70%s. Less than a decade ago, HS's #s were more reflective of where Central is now, with HC previously having scores as high as the low 90%s. In the multi-year decline under the superintendent's one-size fits all strategic plan the #s speak for themselves. 6 in10 students at HS are now not meeting minimum proficiency scores, and that has increased to 3 in 10 at HC. On top of that, the performance gap between HS and HC has only widened. Doing some quick math, that equates to nearly 1000 kids not meeting ELA and Math proficiency measurements. Does the community agree that this is Commendable and Exemplary as rated by the state? Are we to accept and believe this is the new "Defined Excellence" as it’s championed by Tammy Prentiss and current BOE? This is one of the many reasons I am running for school board, as I believe we can and have a duty to do better for all 4000+ D86 students. Frankly, they deserve better and the community expects more.

#2 has particular relevance in light of the regional news about the (CPS) Chicago Public School sexual misconduct scandal where the (OIG) Inspector General received more than 600 " adult on student" misconduct allegations for the 2021-2022 year. Coupling this with multiple studies and news stories nationally about the rise of sexual misconduct in public schools in recent years and efforts to sexualize curriculum on a broader scale, residents and parents can logically ask for a public review of the district's policies in detail. With the district's new push for safety as of late, maybe this is a chance for some preventative thought to be applied to a newly growing risk. How robust are the district's policies and should they be strengthened to protect the students and prevent sexual misconduct? What extra precautions can be put in place to make sure predators are not finding their way into our schools?

In summary, this school board election will not be decided by FB posts or other misdirectional tactics, but rather dictated by frustration from the community who will not and should not tolerate the results coming from current D86 leadership. Voters will not continue to support untested pilot programs implemented as permanent detrimental changes to the curriculum, the unfortunate results that students and families have had to suffer because of these changes, and the financial mismanagement that has led to the highest operational costs and lowest proficiency scores for both schools going back at least 10 years.

Where is the return for families, students and taxpayers? It will be up to the community to decide who is best to lead this needed corrective action. As a D86 resident, progressive thought leader, parent, primary stakeholder, taxpayer, and caring community member who has been attending these school board meetings for the better part of the last 2 years, I want to see and assist in driving the best possible outcomes for all students. I am the candidate who wants to liberate students from the less than ideal and regressive outcomes delivered by the current board and its superintendent. Great schools are a primary foundation as to why people continue to move to D86. It’s why my family moved here and why I so passionately want to see that tradition continue.

In the future if you want to reach out about actual D86 issues, you know how to get in touch with me. Feel free to share my contact info with Lana Johnson, the D63 board member who took the screen shots as shown in the photos you shared. I would welcome and be happy to have an open discussion with her as well.

Here is the response from Lana Johnson, a member of the Darien-based District 63 school board:

I have never shared screenshots of any individual, including Mr. Catton, with The Patch or any other publication. These were images I shared privately with only a few individuals, and that is the extent of my involvement in this situation. I'd welcome the opportunity to meet with Mr. Catton to learn more about his candidacy.

Editor's note: Patch received the screenshots from another person.