Vague Role For Departing Hinsdale D86 Leader

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86's Tammy Prentiss may do at least some work for the district through March – or so the district says.

That's according to Prentiss' six-page severance agreement that the school board approved Monday night. The board initially kept the document secret, but released it upon Patch's public records request Tuesday.

The agreement is so vague that even Prentiss' title is uncertain. As of Tuesday, she was still listed as the superintendent on the district's website, although that may fall away with the new budget year starting Saturday.

The agreement states that Prentiss would remain a "licensed District employee" until March 31.

It says she will start the 2023-24 contract year, which starts Saturday, on paid administrative leave, which has been her status since the board suspended her in mid-May.

During this leave, the agreement states, Prentiss "shall be reasonably available with appropriate notice to perform administrative duties" in consultation with the school board's president.

According to the document, Prentiss' annual salary of $277,470 and her health benefits shall be paid on a prorated period until March 31. She is also set to receive her normal amount of leave. As of March 31, Prentiss is scheduled to retire.

Under the terms, neither district officials nor Prentiss can disparage each other.

Board members Jeff Waters and Debbie Levinthal voted against the agreement, but did not explain why. Board members declined to comment as they quickly exited the room to hold yet another closed-door meeting.

The district also released Prentiss' one-sentence retirement letter, in which she said she was retiring as a "licensed employee" March 31.

It is unclear how much work Prentiss will have until March or whether she can do that work in district offices. With the popularity of remote work, she likely will perform any assigned duties at home.

The vagueness of the agreement may shield the board from criticism that it appears to be paying a superintendent without getting any work in return.

Chris Covino, assistant superintendent for academics, has been the acting superintendent since the board suspended Prentiss. He leaves the district at week's end to become the superintendent of La Grange District 102.

On Monday, the board appointed Jason Markey, the incoming assistant superintendent for academics, as the acting superintendent when he starts next week.