Split Hinsdale D86 Board Picks New Leader

HINSDALE, IL – Divisions have marked the last two years on the Hinsdale High School District 86 board.

That continued with the new board Wednesday.

At the board's reorganizational meeting, the three winners in April's election, Catherine Greenspon, Kay Gallo and Asma Akhras, took the oath of office

In a 4-3 vote, the board selected Greenspon as its president. The vote split old alliances. One resident called the decision an "arrogant power play."

The meeting saw the exit of board President Erik Held and members Kathleen Hirsman and Cynthia Hanson, all supporters of Superintendent Tammy Prentiss, who is retiring in July 2024.

The board holdovers are Debbie Levinthal, Peggy James, Jeff Waters and Terri Walker. All but Walker are critics of Prentiss. Gallo and Greenspon have been outspoken in opposing the superintendent.

James nominated Greenspon for president, saying she has watched her bring people together and build consensus.

Gallo then advocated for Levinthal. She said Levinthal, who was elected two years ago, does her homework and conducts herself well.

"While the press has tried to paint everything as a majority-minority board issue, Debbie has voted her conscience each and every time and refreshingly not always fitting into this construct," said Gallo, citing Levinthal's joining the majority in voting for the teachers union contract recently.

Both Levinthal and Greenspon accepted their nominations.

In her speech, Levinthal, a former teacher, said she would help the district move back to stability, calm and unity. She promised to make independent decisions and foster a national search for a superintendent.

Greenspon started by complimenting Levinthal.

"I appreciate everything that member Levinthal has done," Greenspon said. "I have watched her for the last two years, and everything she says is true."

Greenspon said she has two decades of experience on nonprofit boards and comes to the District 86 board with a "collaborative spirit."

Voting for Greenspon were Greenspon herself, James, Walker and Akhras. Levinthal, Waters and Gallo supported Levinthal.

Hinsdale High School District 86 board member Debbie Levinthal (right) congratulates Asma Akhras after she was sworn in as a new member. (David Giuliani/Patch)

Some of the votes for president may have come as a surprise, splitting old campaign partnerships. Walker ran as a team with Levinthal in the 2021 election, but they divided over issues such as the science curriculum. And Waters and James campaigned together two years ago, but they have split on a number of votes as well.

Greenspon is the board's fifth president in less than three years.

Despite the divisions, Wednesday's presidential vote was a far cry from the reorganizational meeting two years ago. Then, the board underwent 10 rounds of votes for president until they settled on Walker, with three factions competing for the presidency.

During public comments Wednesday, resident Yvonne Mayer, who earlier in the meeting endorsed Levinthal, disagreed with the decision.

"Wow, as I watched the officer election that just played out, two phrases come to mind 'et tu, Brute?' and 'burning down the house,'" Mayer said.

She said that in her earlier comments, she referred to a house with a solid foundation of trust and respect built over two years of working with Levinthal.

"Instead what I saw tonight, sadly, was an arrogant power play," Mayer said. "Shame on you."

Levinthal was nominated for vice president, but she "respectfully" declined. James, however, accepted. As the lone candidate, she got the job.

With Greenspon and James selected for officer roles, the other five were nominated for secretary. All but Akhras declined. Akhras became secretary by default.

The job of secretary includes the drafting of closed session minutes. That duty may have become unappealing.

Last year, a dispute over closed session minutes resulted in the board minority walking out of a meeting.