Hinsdale D86 Fixes 'Accident' On Exchange Student Policy

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 is joining many other school districts by dropping the tuition requirement for foreign exchange students.

In 2020, the district changed its policy to require payment, which amounts to nearly $30,000 a year.

But the school board voted recently to end the tuition mandate. That benefit is for up to two foreign exchange students district-wide every year.

Residents recently made the board aware of the tuition requirement, asking the district to drop it.

The rule was believed to have been enacted in 2020.

In a message to the board earlier this month, former board President Erik Held said it was never the board's intention to charge exchange students for tuition.

He said he believed it was an oversight while the board adopted policy changes recommended by the school board association. The trade group's default policy is against charging.

At a recent board meeting, member Bobby Fischer said he appreciated Held's explanation.

"This might have just been an accident from the perspective of the board," Fischer said. "This fixes an accident that may have been made."

Board member Asma Akhras appreciated that the board was reversing the policy.

"This is an opportunity in our community to build those bridges with others," she said.

The board's vote was unanimous.

Patch found that at most comparable high schools, foreign exchange students aren't required to pay. They include Glenbrook, Elmhurst, Highland Park, Deerfield, Downers Grove, New Trier and Naperville. At Lyons Township, however, they are mandated to pay.