Coming Clash With Hinsdale D86 Leader?

HINSDALE, IL – A clash between Hinsdale High School District 86's superintendent and the new board may be coming.

In Tuesday's election, former school board President Kay Gallo was the top vote-getter of five candidates. The other two apparent winners are Catherine Greenspon and Asma Akrhas.

Gallo created a petition last year calling for the ouster of Superintendent Tammy Prentiss, citing the controversy over a prospective ant-racist consultant. The petition has drawn nearly 2,300 signatures.

Prentiss' contract expires July 31, 2024. It was recently amended to bar her firing based on the investigation into the consultant issue.

Now, some residents suggest the district could buy out Prentiss' contract or find some other way to fire her.

Asked about those possibilities, Gallo said Wednesday in an interview, "I can't rule out anything. I don't know what options are on the table."

She added, "Based on what I know and what the community knows, there is an investigative report that we cannot use to fire her."

Until the board discusses options with its lawyers, Gallo said, it would be premature for members to say what is under consideration.

The district has kept the report secret from the public. Gallo and other candidates in the election said they wanted to release it.

Gallo served on the board for eight years until 2017.

According to unofficial election results, Gallo received 6,432 votes. The other apparent winners were Catherine Greenspon with 6,346 votes and Asma Akhras with 4,977.

The losing candidates were Andrew Catton with 4,721 votes and Deborah Willoughby with 2,861, according to the results.

Both Gallo and Greenspon have been outspoken in their opposition to Prentiss. Like the others, Akhras has criticized Prentiss' role in the consultant controversy.

The winners are replacing Prentiss supporters Erik Held, Kathleen Hirsman and Cynthia Hanson, all of whom did not seek re-election.

Prentiss' other detractors include board members Peggy James, Debbie Levinthal and Jeff Waters.

Given all that, Prentiss is expected to face a board majority of critics. The one exception is member Terri Walker.

Gallo noted the historically nonpartisan nature of school board elections.

"I was shunned by both the Democrats and the Republicans," Gallo said. "That's truly nonpartisan."

The new board members take office May 3.