Comments On Hinsdale D86 Board Largely Negative, Often Mentioning Micromanagement

DARIEN, IL – The Hinsdale High School District 86 board was reminded Thursday about a recent survey that drew many negative comments about its leadership.

The survey was commissioned by a superintendent search firm that the board hired.

Patch has already reported that the hundreds of survey respondents gave the district's leadership team a low rating.

Many of the more than 180 comments criticized the board, often accusing members of micromanaging the administration.

Over the last few years, administrative turnover has plagued the district. For instance, seven people have served as superintendent in the last 2½ years.

"If the Board does not stop micromanaging ... it will not matter who is in the (superintendent's) seat next," one survey respondent said.

Another said, "For years, the school board has acted outside of the bounds of what boards are meant to do. In the industry, there are many professionals who openly say that they would never want to work here because of the stories they've read about our school board."

Still another said the next person at the helm must have a particular quality.

"To survive the school board in this community, the new superintendent must also be politically savvy."

At Thursday's board meeting, Hinsdale resident Dale Kleber, a board supporter-turned-critic, said he used AI to analyze the comments on the board, with 82 percent negative or highly negative.

The board, though, has largely brushed off the survey, he said.

"It's the pulse of the community," Kleber said. "You are either not listening or choose to ignore the groundswell of public disapproval of your actions as a board."

After Kleber spoke, Linda Burke, a Hinsdale resident who has watched board meetings for decades, said she doesn't agree with the current board members all the time.

"But I'm happy that you were all elected, and I thank you for your very hard work and service," she said.

At a meeting earlier this month, Hinsdale resident Kim Notaro, another local watchdog, said the search firm's survey responses failed to represent residents' feelings.

"I've heard very little negative about the board in the public sessions with community members. We have gotten a lot of bad press, and it's not fair to you guys," she said. "You have done an incredible job representing our community and students, and the community has a lot to be thankful for."

Board members have not responded to comments about the survey during its meetings.

The current superintendent, Michael Lach, is retiring in June, a year earlier than planned under his contract.

The board may choose a new superintendent as early as next month. That person would start after Lach leaves.