Race Theory Foe Runs For Hinsdale D-86 Board

HINSDALE, IL – A Hinsdale resident who has contended that Hinsdale Central and South high schools are promoting critical race theory is running for the school board.

The resident, Andrew Catton, announced his plan to run in the April election during public comments at Thursday's board meeting.

Catton submitted comments at two meetings last year in which he said critical race theory was part of Hinsdale High School District 86's strategic plan.

He provided no evidence the theory was in the district's curriculum. But Catton and others across the country use the term "critical race theory" as a catch-all for equity efforts.

In his comments at Thursday's meeting, Catton did not specifically refer to critical race theory. But he touched on the issue of race in his remarks.

Catton aimed his criticism at Superintendent Tammy Prentiss and the board majority. He said they have ignored academic excellence, even refusing to form a committee on the topic.

"The district superintendent seems to be entangled in scandal after scandal, either about racially motivated stories disparaging the community or race-centered equity experiments that show zero evidence of improved student performance and reek of outside political motivations to fuel her own personal ambitions," Catton said. "This activity drains the district of precious resources and time. It distracts from the primary mission and purposely drives division in the high school's community."

Catton accused the superintendent of "cowardly leadership" through the mask mandates and the social-emotional scars that the leadership left on students.

"Worse yet, nothing of merit has been done to fix COVID-related learning loss," he said. "This is real and demonstrated in test scores and other measurable metrics."

Other problems from the one-size-fits-all strategic plan have hurt high achievers and special needs students alike, Catton said.

"Because of this current and sustained failure, as a future parent who desires to send my three children here, I can no longer sit idly by and hope for change," Catton said.

The other two announced school board candidates, Catherine Greenspon and Kay Gallo, also revealed their political plans during public comments at meetings.

The seats held by board President Erik Held and members Kathleen Hirsman and Cynthia Hanson are up in the April election. They have not announced their plans.

In the summer of 2021, Catton's comments about critical race theory were read during board meetings.

"To my dismay, I was appalled to see that this radical ideology has not only made simple inroads, but rather has been made a part of the district's 5-year strategic plan," he said. "Forcing all decision-making through a racial or gender identity politics prism while bashing American history along the way will be catastrophic for the school system. If you cannot see how this can be harmful to the student body, student-teacher interaction and even parent and student relationships, what business do any of you have being on the board? It's borderline criminal."

Catton did not give any examples in which he believed the district was "bashing American history."

His comments resembled those of parents around the country.

The theory has been around for four decades and examines societal issues through the lens of race. Proponents see racism as part of legal systems and policies, not just the result of individual prejudice. Starting in 2021, it became a lightning rod among conservatives.