Schools
Will New Hinsdale D86 Leader Utter Words?
The words could trigger the release of a report on a controversy involving an anti-racist consultant.
HINSDALE, IL – All Catherine Greenspon must do is utter a few words if she still wants to share details about an investigation with Hinsdale High School District 86 residents.
On Tuesday, the district again denied Patch's request for the report on the investigation of Superintendent Tammy Prentiss' handling of a controversy involving an anti-racist consultant.
The difference this time is that a new school board majority is in control. Most members have indicated they want to let the public know about the investigation.
Find out what's happening in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In its denial, the district cited the secrecy of attorney-client communications. A lawyer conducted the investigation and wrote the report.
The district also noted the board president has not publicly cited or identified the report in question.
Find out what's happening in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In January, then-President Erik Held pointedly avoided citing the report. That was when the board majority amended Prentiss' contract to prevent the board from firing her based on the report.
Held's term ended last Wednesday. The new president is Greenspon.
In Patch's candidate questionnaire, Greenspon minced few words in her argument that Prentiss mishandled a complaint of racism from consultant Valda Valbrun. Valbrun withdrew from consideration for a contract with the district, calling Hinsdale "dangerous."
"It was clear that Ms. Valbrun felt that her mistreatment was based upon her race and gender," Greenspon said. "It is completely irresponsible that neither the (board) nor Superintendent followed up and addressed safety concerns that (a district) committee may have been left with."
Greenspon said the board should provide "any and all detail" in the investigation of the matter because of safety concerns. At a minimum, she said the district should share the report with the committee in question, the Culture and Equity Leadership Team, or CELT. That committee first heard from Valbrun about her concerns.
Prentiss' handling of the consultant sparked a movement to oust her.
Greenspon did not return a message for comment on Tuesday.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
