Catherine Greenspon, Hinsdale D86 Board Candidate

HINSDALE, IL — Catherine Greenspon is one of five candidates for three seats on the Hinsdale High School District 86 board. Here are her responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Catherine “Cat” Greenspon

Town of residence:

Burr Ridge

Attendance zone (Central or South):

Central

Age:

52

Campaign contact email:

cat4d86@gmail.com

Campaign website:

cat4d86.com

Family:

Husband and current senior at Hinsdale Central

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

Loyola University Chicago, double major – Political Science and Communications

Occupation:

Full-time mom, wife, sister, cousin, friend, community member

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

none

The single most pressing issue facing the school board is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing the school board is not having a laser focus on all students growth and achievement, and this is what I intend to do about it. I intend to drive data driven discussion on all student growth and achievement in order to reach consensus and make a decision.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The critical differences between me and other candidates are that we all offer differing perspectives based upon life experience.
I am a current district parent that is actively involved in both Central and South:

• Hinsdale Central PTO, Vice President '22-23
• Hinsdale Central PTO, Secretary '20-22
• Hinsdale Central Music Parents Association, President '21-23
• Hinsdale South CAT (Community Action Team), Member '20-present
• D86 PTAC (Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee), Member '22-23
• D86 CELT Committee (Culture and Equity Leadership Team), Member '20-22

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Active engagement with the community is in my nature. In the past, I recognized a need and created after school and summer programs, set up computer labs for tutor/mentor programs and supported various STEM projects.
At the district level, I am involved in:

• Hinsdale Central PTO, Vice President '22-23
• Hinsdale Central PTO, Secretary '20-22
• Hinsdale Central Music Parents Association, President '21-23
• Hinsdale South CAT (Community Action Team), Member '20-present
• D86 PTAC (Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee), Member '22-23
• D86 CELT Committee (Culture and Equity Leadership Team), Member '20-22

At the larger community level, I am involved in:

• Museum of Science and Industry, Board Member '14- present
• YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, Board Member '14-18
• Big Shoulders Fund, Partner '13-present

What can the school do to counteract dropping standardized test scores?

The district should also report on student growth. Proficiency data can only be fully understood when coupled with growth data. Proficiency cannot tell the full story of some student’s academic journey. We must thoughtfully consider both. Only then should the BoE support any initiative to address declining standardized test scores on a district and campus level.

Do you support Superintendent Tammy Prentiss? Why or why not?

The BoE approved an amendment to the Superintendent contract earlier this month. In the amendment, Superintendent Prentiss’ retirement was defined to commence beginning at the close of SY’24 plus 31 days. I support her retirement.

What is your view of Superintendent Tammy Prentiss' handling last year of the anti-racist consultant who called Hinsdale "dangerous"? Do you believe the school board should release the report from the investigation into that matter? Why or why not?

I was a member of the CELT committee during the RFP for a DEI consulting firm. I was in the audience when Ms. Valbrun described her treatment by the Hinsdale Central main entrance staff. It was clear that Ms. Valbrun felt that her mistreatment was based upon her race and gender. It is completely irresponsible that neither the BoE nor Superintendent followed up and addressed safety concerns that the CELT committee may have been left with. The CELT committee’s members are exclusively district employees, community members and STUDENTS. It is the district’s obligation and responsibility to make sure students feel safe in their learning environment. It is the district’s obligation and responsibility to make sure employees feel safe in their work environment. It is the district’s obligation and responsibility to make sure the community feels that our students and employees are safe in our buildings. Superintendent Prentiss did send an email to the CELT committee- which includes students and employees - letting us know that Ms. Valbrun had exited the RFP process and shared the infamous letter. That letter likely made any safety concerns worse for our student, employee and community CELT members. Unfortunate at best.

Yes, the BoE should share any and all detail in to the investigation of this matter due to safety concerns. It’s the district’s obligation to share the report, at the minimum, with the CELT members who may have safety concerns after the incident and letter.

Do you believe there is equity between Central and South high schools? Why or why not?

There is not equity between Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South. They are completely different campuses and school communities within one district. It is the district’s responsibility to make sure each campus’ needs are met and ensure that each student’s needs are met. This looks different at each campus. This looks different for each student. Neither campus should be favored or seem to be favored. The district and especially the BoE should applaud, understand and appreciate the differences. There should not be an effort to make a campus look or behave like the other.

Do you support a boundary change between Central and South to equalize enrollments? Why or why not?

No. Data suggests there is no real upside to a boundary change. Some of the arguments for a boundary change include but are not limited to:

Course offerings

A couple of years ago, a student from Hinsdale South made a public comment about world language opportunities. She expressed frustration about not being able to take her language of choice because it would no longer be offered at South due to low enrollment. That public comment bothers me to this day. While I understand the need to keep staffing within the budget, there other creative ways to meet our students’ needs. If a student has taken two years of one language, why aren’t we doing everything we can to ensure the opportunity to complete four years of that language? The district typically responds with financial reasons. However, in attending human resources committee meetings, it has come to my attention that there is a financially reasonable and attainable way to accommodate student needs. There is a mechanism that allows teachers to take on an extra period of instruction. It is called overload. The district currently employs this mechanism at both South and Central as can be seen on the master schedule. My question is, what is the rubric for determining which courses run that have low enrollment? The data does not suggest a clear answer. I do not see a reason why this student and her classmates were not afforded this choice.

Funding

A boundary change would not change total local property tax revenue. The district would not realize a financial gain. What would happen is per student funding would change. Currently, for SY’22, South students are funded at $31,050 and Central students are funded at $24,984. A balancing of enrollment would likely cause per student funding to decrease at South and increase at Central. Further, the current difference in per student funding is often explained through administrative costs. In looking at building administrative staffing, currently, counselors are staffed at 13 (HC) and 7 (HS), Deans at 4 (HC) and 3 (HS), social work 7 (HC) and 6 (HS), security 11/10 (HC-Director of Security is attributed to Central) and HS (7), psychologist 4 (HC) and 3 (HS), admin 8 (HC) and 11/7 (HS- IT is attributed to South). The staffing does not reflect current enrollment numbers at each campus. Even with an increase of students at South, the current staffing determination logic suggests student admin support would remain the same. This does not benefit the students.

What is your view of critical race theory? Is it being taught in the local schools? If so, what evidence do you have of that?

Critical race theory is a framework to develop laws and policies. It is not taught in local k-12 public schools. What is employed is culturally responsive teaching. Too often, our administration has used the acronym CRT in presentation and conversation causing angst and mistrust. It seems quite intentional. Our BoE is obligated and responsible to build trust and encourage the community to come together in support of all students. I believe the acronym CRT is used intentionally to deepen division in our community.

What is your view of sex education in local schools? Should an LGBT component be included? Why or why not?

Sex education is part of health education and mandated by the State.

This is a very interesting question as during the last legislative session, there was a bill on third reading that addressed the obligation of a public school system to run background checks on potential employees. I assume this bill had wide bipartisan support. Upon the third reading of this bill, an amendment was added that impacted a public school system’s ability to opt out of any or all of the new sex education curriculum as defined by NSES. This is troubling. Again, health education is currently a mandated course of study. At the local level, districts should be given the opportunity to address student needs. If there is a student need to address LGBTQ+ then yes, but the district should be able to determine how.

Will you take questions from the media if you are elected?

If allowable per BoE policy and procedure, yes.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

You might not always agree, but you must always respect.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a current D86 parent, active member of the school community, and a long-time area resident. I understand the importance of responsible governance for a destination district like ours. If elected, I will bring to the table integrity, board experience, and a passion for high-quality education. I will honor my campaign promises and will team with like-minded board members to preserve the tradition of excellence that D86 is known for.

As a D86 board member, I will support policies that promote:

• Choice to meet all students' diverse needs.
• Accountability for better outcomes in return for our continued growing investment in the district.
• True spirit of partnership between the community, board, administration, staff and students.