Secrecy In Hinsdale D86 Inquiry Of Superintendent

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 decided Thursday to keep secret the report on the superintendent's controversial handling of an anti-racist consultant a year ago.

The district hired a law firm to handle the inquiry. The firm issued a report in August about Superintendent Tammy Prentiss' actions, according to the district.

In response to Patch's public records request, the district said it chose to exercise its right to maintain the secrecy of attorney-client communications under state law.

Government bodies often use law firms, rather than non-attorneys, for investigations. In doing so, they can shield reports from public scrutiny.

The village of Hinsdale has done just that for two years with a 36-page report that cost more than $100,000. It hired a law firm to investigate whether the fire department mistreated a firefighter who took her own life.

At a meeting last year, Village President Tom Cauley said even village trustees had not seen the report.

In District 86's denial, it said the school board has not waived attorney-client privilege in the Prentiss matter.

Last year, the board apparently waived the privilege when it hired a lawyer to investigate a confrontation between two school board members after a meeting. The attorney presented her report and released a copy during a board meeting.

After the April election, a new board majority is expected to take office. It is unlikely to support Prentiss, as the current majority does.

The new majority would have the power to reverse the decision on the report's secrecy.

On Thursday night, the board is set to vote on adding a provision to Prentiss' contract preventing the board from firing her based on the investigation's findings. Her contract lasts through summer 2024.

Before this week, the district had not revealed it investigated the situation involving Prentiss and anti-racist consultant Valda Valbrun.

At a board meeting last January, Prentiss read a letter from Valbrun, who called Hinsdale "dangerous." Valbrun announced she would withdraw from consideration as the district's anti-racist consultant.

Many believe Prentiss coordinated with Valbrun in presenting the message. They called for Prentiss' firing as a result. Others asked for an investigation.