Mystery On Hinsdale D86 Leader Pick Continues

HINSDALE, IL – It still remains unclear how Chris Covino, a top Hinsdale High School District 86 official, became the acting superintendent.

Last week, Patch requested records showing who appointed Covino, assistant superintendent for academics, to the acting position. He is serving in that role while Superintendent Tammy Prentiss is taking an undefined "leave of absence."

On Wednesday, the district said in an emailed response that the assistant superintendent of academics "assumes the role of acting superintendent when the Superintendent is temporarily unavailable."

The email stated school board President Catherine Greenspon informed Covino by phone on May 16 that he was acting superintendent "based on his position."

The district confirmed no board action was taken to select him as acting superintendent.

In its response to Patch, the district provided no written policy or procedure in which Covino is to become acting superintendent in the superintendent's absence. Patch could find no such provision in the board's online policies.

The board announced in a news release May 16 that Prentiss was on leave and Covino was acting superintendent. A week later, the board affirmed those developments in unanimous votes.

A day after the announcement, Patch asked the district's spokesman, Chris Jasculca, about the policy behind Covino becoming the acting superintendent.

He pointed to a provision in Covino's employment contract: "The Board and Superintendent reserve the right to reassign the Administrator to different duties from time to time during the term of this Contract without a loss in the term of this Contract or pay."

But that provision does not fully answer the question. Under state law, the board can only take action in a public vote. No such vote was taken. That leaves the possibility that Prentiss herself selected Covino to fill in.

The other remaining mystery is whether Prentiss chose to go on leave or the board imposed it. After the April election, a new board majority that opposes Prentiss took control.

Board members have referred questions to Greenspon, who has declined to comment on Prentiss' leave or Covino's appointment.

On Wednesday, Patch filed a request for records that document who requested the leave.

Prentiss' contract lasts through July 31, 2024. The board hired a special counsel who is focused on Prentiss, possibly looking for reasons to fire her.

The board could negotiate a severance package with Prentiss, who makes $277,471 a year.

At 5:30 p.m. Friday at the district's central office, the board plans another special meeting on personnel issues, likely about Prentiss. The discussion is set to be behind closed doors.

It's the fourth such special meeting in a month. The board does not plan to take action.

Covino leaves the district June 30 to become superintendent of La Grange School District 102.