'Antiracist' Pacts Spark Calls For D-86 Policy Review

Darien IL

04 October, 2021

4:35 PM

Description

DARIEN, IL – Three Hinsdale High School District 86 board members are calling for a policy review after the termination of contracts for "antiracist" and "race consciousness" training. Last month, the district and consultants for Anew Collective Consulting and Saxman Consulting agreed to end their short-lived contracts. This was after one of the consultants published a controversial tweet. Officials said no money was paid out. At last week's board meeting, member Peggy James proposed a review of the board's policy on contracts. "Quite simply, the contract that the district had with Saxman and Anew brought to light some inconsistencies and gaps in our policies and procedures related to contracts," James said. "We could have had a situation where we would have been required to pay some money out. We need to be able to protect our district in the future." Members Debbie Levinthal and Jeff Waters agreed with her request. Others did not. "I'm opposed to it, and I don't believe the three of you speak for the majority of the board," member Kathleen Hirsman said. It turns out they did not. Board President Terri Walker and members Erik Held and Cynthia Hanson also said they saw no need for a review. Held told the board he would be interested in how other school boards handle contracts, but added he was "comfortable" with the district's current procedures. Walker closed the discussion, with a majority against a review. In August, the board voted 5-2 to spend $52,000 for the consultants to provide "antiracist" training for staff. The consultant-led training would have been voluntary for employees, officials said. Waters and James dissented from the majority, saying they wanted a presentation from the consultants first.