How Hinsdale D-86 Is More Open Than Most

Darien IL

09 June, 2022

12:49 PM

Description

DARIEN, IL – "Transparency" is a buzzword often used in debates in Hinsdale High School District 86 and elsewhere. In one big way, the district is more open than just about any other public body in the state. It maintains a public online log where it posts many of the documents produced as a result of public records requests. Hinsdale School District 181 does the same. Hardly any other public bodies in Illinois follow this practice. If it were suggested that 1 percent of entities posted such information online, that number would likely be too high. In April, the district's attorney, Steven Richart, proposed doing away with posting records online. He said the log could increase the district's liability if the administration mistakenly placed private information online. His recommendation drew the support of board member Kathleen Hirsman and board President Erik Held, members of the majority. Minority members Jeff Waters, Peggy James and Debbie Levinthal resisted the idea. They said they get much of their information from the log. Then two majority members, Cynthia Hanson and Terri Walker, agreed with the minority. That meant the log is here to stay. In recent months, some have questioned why some documents don't make the public log. And they have wondered about redactions in the records. At last week's board meeting, members generally agreed on an administrative policy that gives the Freedom of Information Act officer the power not to post records online in certain cases. Such cases include information that must be divulged under the law, but involve privacy or confidentiality concerns, according to the district. That could include student settlement agreements, documents with safety or security issues, and personnel records. Under the new policy, when such documents are not posted online, they would be sent to the board, which can overturn the records officer's decision. Another major change would be the records officer would no longer black out the names of people in documents, unless doing so is required by law. The changes could take effect as soon as July 1.