Effort Against D-86 Leader Losing Steam?

Darien IL

25 February, 2022

11:36 AM

Description

DARIEN, IL — The movement to fire Hinsdale High School District 86's superintendent caught fire in recent weeks, with anger over the mask mandate and a controversy involving an anti-racism consultant. With the mask requirement gone, the effort may have lost some of its urgency. At Thursday's school board meeting, public comments were relatively muted compared to previous weeks. Gone was the audience's heckling of board members who favor Superintendent Tammy Prentiss. This time, residents both for and against Prentiss spoke during public comments. Neither side seemed to have an edge — at least at the meeting. Last week, former board President Kay Gallo started a Change.org petition calling for Prentiss' removal. Online signatures have soared to more than 1,200. At the meeting, resident Angie Sartori noted 7,000 people voted in last April's school board election. She said the 1,200 signatures is a big chunk of the district's voters. Change.org has no procedure to determine whether those signing are District 86 residents, let alone voters. Gallo also touted the number of signatures. "You as board members were elected to represent these people," Gallo said. "With all due respect, you need to listen to them. A board's most important responsibility is to hold the superintendent accountable. With each day that passes without your taking action, you are failing." Meeta Patel, a former board president of Hinsdale School District 181, called for a new superintendent. A longtime critic of District 86's administration, she criticized the district's new grading policy. She said she supports diversity and equity efforts in District 86 and across the country, but Prentiss is not the one to do that. She also said some board members rubberstamp the administration's recommendations, without holding the superintendent accountable. Resident Reid McCollum said it was wrong to blame "every ill, real or imagined, on Superintendent Prentiss." He praised her work and said people are just looking for someone to blame inside the community for problems. "The reaction of many is shock and disbelief that people of color may not feel safe, let alone not equal," McCollum said. Like the other speakers, he received some applause. One person booed him as well. Resident Lanny Wilson also had good words for school officials. To Prentiss, he said he gave his "sincerest thanks for your generous service." He said he had a "great deal of reverence" for the work done by teachers, administrators and board members. Prentiss has not publicly commented on the movement against her. By their previous comments and votes, it appears board members Terri Walker, Kathleen Hirsman, Cynthia Hanson and Erik Held support Prentiss, while Debbie Levinthal, Peggy James and Jeff Waters oppose her. That possible one-vote edge is all Prentiss needs to remain at the helm. Her contract ends in summer 2023.