So Why Did D-86 Board Want To Close Doors?

HINSDALE, IL — The Hinsdale High School District 86 board was set to meet in closed session at 6 p.m. Monday at the district's central office in Hinsdale. But just three hours before, the district put out word the session was canceled. No reason was given.

The meeting was supposed to be for a discussion of specific employees. Board President Terri Walker did not return Patch's messages last week for more information on the reason for the session.

After the meeting was canceled, Patch emailed Chris Jasculca, the district's spokesman, about whether it was because the board lacked a quorum of members who planned to attend. He did not respond.

Perhaps the board decided to wait until its next regular meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday. The agenda for that meeting is expected to be released later today. Often, the board holds a closed session before its regular meetings.

If Monday's meeting had been held, it would have been the first such special closed session on personnel issues since June 2020. At that meeting, the board went behind closed doors for 25 minutes and emerged to accept the resignation of Domenico Maniscalco, the head of human resources. His exit continues to be shrouded in mystery.

Monday's meeting agenda said the board would have discussed the "appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of employees or district legal counsel." The agenda indicated the board would have taken no votes.

Under the state's open meetings law, a government board is barred from taking action unless it gives the public notice. That same law allows discussions of specific employees behind closed doors, but general personnel issues cannot be discussed.