Hinsdale D86 Board Disagrees Over Recruitment Strategy

DARIEN, IL – Board members for Hinsdale High School District 86 plan to fill three top positions, but they disagree over aspects of the search.

A couple even questioned whether the district needs a new assistant superintendent of academics, the second in command.

In July, the assistant superintendent's position went vacant after the district missed the opportunity to fill the post, despite being given five months' notice.

The other positions are superintendent and chief information officer.

Earlier this month, Superintendent Michael Lach told the board he would retire next June 30, in the second year of a three-year contract. And Keith Bockwoldt, the chief information officer, is retiring at the same time.

Six board members favored hiring a search firm, while another, Asma Akhras, said she did not think it was a good use of resources. She said she had backed getting a firm two years ago when the board appointed Lach.

"We've already gone through the process," Akhras said. "We already should have a lot of the process figured out. We have gone through it. I'm just not seeing the need for bringing in a firm."

Board member Liz Mitha disagreed. She said the board needs to get a leg up on other school systems, describing the competition as fierce.

As for the assistant superintendent's post, member Bobby Fischer said he was unconvinced the district needed such a position. Both Hinsdale Central and South high schools, he said, have capable assistant principals of instruction who could handle the assistant superintendent's duties.

"I'm not excited about filling this position," Fischer said. "When we, as a board, tried to ask at the table in a meeting a couple of months ago about what is going to be the loss of not having the position filled, we didn't hear compelling arguments."

He added, "I would rather have three teachers than an assistant superintendent of academics."

Member Jeff Waters said he understood Fischer's point. He said he saw filling the chief information officer's position as more important than the assistant superintendent's post because of the district's struggles over obtaining accurate data.

Other members said the district could hire a superintendent first and ask that person whether the district should hire an assistant superintendent.

Mitha, who is helping lead the recruitment, said the goal is to hire a superintendent early next year, which she called the "sweet spot" for hiring administrators for the following school year. Waiting too long, she said, could put the district at a disadvantage.