Avoid 'Fables' On Central-South Disparity, Hinsdale D86 Urged

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 officials took heat Tuesday for what a leading critic called "curricular fables."

During a board meeting, two critics spoke about the longtime disparity in courses between Central and South high schools, with South getting the short end of the stick.

The district's latest statistics show the problem is nearly eliminated. But board President Catherine Greenspon has cast doubt on those numbers, saying the data was "intentionally vague."

Recently, Burr Ridge watchdog Alan Hruby presented information that indicates the gap still exists. The district's administration has been silent in the wake of the controversy, other than issuing a correction about older numbers.

At Tuesday's board meeting, another Burr Ridge resident, Adolph Galinski, who has long spoken about the inequality, said the administration indicated only 29 courses at Central will not run at South. But he said a later public records request showed that at least another 33 courses will not run at South, totaling more than 60.

"The administration is now making claims that are patently false," Galinski said.

He was speaking at a special meeting that was focused on the hiring process for a new assistant superintendent for academics.

"If you hire a person of integrity and competence, don’t expect that person to enjoy creating curricular fables that hide the true extent of course disparities between the schools and compromise educational opportunities at Hinsdale South," Galinski said. "Furthermore, don’t expect that person to relish working for a superintendent who does."

Hruby said he gave Superintendent Michael Lach a chance to walk back the previous numbers. But he said Lach did not.

Alan Hruby, a Burr Ridge resident, says Tuesday that the failure to correct Hinsdale High School District 86's numbers on the Central-South disparity is a "slap in the face to the South community." (David Giuliani/Patch)

"Is it too much to expect our superintendent to be accountable for what he says?" Hruby said. "Is it too much to expect you, members of the board, to publicly call into question evidence drawn from the school district's own records that contradicts what the superintendent says?"

He questioned why the seven board members, particularly Asma Akhras and Liz Mitha, do not insist upon a full disclosure of courses that will run at each school next year. Akhras and Mitha are the only members who live in the South attendance zone.

Hruby urged that the special committee designed to investigate the disparity pause its efforts until the superintendent corrects the district's statements.

"To proceed without that public revision is irresponsible. It conveys an ugly impression to candidates for the assistant superintendent of academics position and is a slap in the face to the South community," he said.

He added, "A course not running is a course not running, no matter what the reason."

The board did not respond, following its policy for public comments.