Hinsdale D86 Backs Down On Settlement Secrecy

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 declined to release student settlement agreements earlier this month, despite a state law that requires the release of such records.

On Wednesday, the district backed down and disclosed the two agreements.

The pacts were over students' out-of-district residency.

The district originally kept the agreements secret in response to Patch's request. It cited the exception under state law for the confidentiality of student records.

However, the district has provided such documents for years in response to requests, while blacking out information that identifies students. This is also the practice of other districts.

The district did not respond to Patch's questions.

Last week, Patch called the Edgar County Watchdogs about the denial. The group said such documents must be released under the Freedom of Information Act. The group filed a records request.

On Wednesday night, the district released the documents to both Patch and the Edgar County Watchdogs. It did not explain the reversal.

Under the agreements, the district waived all tuition fees from last school year for the two out-of-district students.

In November, the board hired the Evergreen Park-based Odelson law firm as its new attorney. Among its areas of expertise are public records issues.

The district has not said whether the law firm advised it on releasing the student settlements.