Hinsdale D86 Letting Go DEI Official

HINSDALE, IL – The Hinsdale High School District 86 board on Tuesday decided to let go its director of equity and inclusion when his contract expires in June.

Without discussion, the board voted unanimously against keeping Chris Biddix.

It is unclear whether the board plans to keep the position. The decision was in light of the Trump administration's opposition to programs for diversity, equity and inclusion, known as DEI.

Officials, including Biddix, couldn't be reached for immediate comment Friday. Under state law, the board must discuss the elimination of a position in an open session, not behind closed doors.

Biddix, who previously worked for seven years at Pritzker College Prep, earned a bachelor’s degree in global studies and linguistics from the conservative Liberty University, a private Baptist school founded by Jerry Falwell Sr.

The outcome of Tuesday's school board election may impact whether the board fills the 4-year-old position.

In June 2023, the board voted 5-1 to hire Biddix at a starting salary of $112,000.

Member Jeff Waters voted no, while member Peggy James abstained.

Waters appeared to be against the position, not Biddix.

In an earlier discussion at the June 2023 meeting, Waters brought up the school's controversies in hiring an anti-racist consultant over the previous two years.

"This position is certainly different, but the process, engagement and buy-in, those things matter," Waters said. "So those ideals need to transpire, in my estimation, before this consideration. Anything else will foster divisiveness."

DEI has become a major target of conservatives. Trump's Department of Education has signaled a crackdown on DEI programs in schools.

At a February 2022 board meeting, Waters, a conservative, backed up the idea of DEI.

"(P)lease don't think this board is not committed to the importance of DE and I work," Waters said. "I encourage you to watch prior board meetings. Don't only focus on the minutes. Trust me, please watch prior board meetings to understand what I just said."

He said his issue was with the district's leadership, not the idea of equity.

Member Peggy James, who ran as a team with Waters in the April 2021 election, also expressed support for the mission.

"The community doesn't seem to be aware of the fact that board members have been commenting on DEI issues and concerns for a while now," James said. "It's very clear that no one wants children to feel unsafe or unwelcome in the school. Nobody. That said, this board member would expect that any initiative that is brought forward would be inclusive to all students and all areas impacting DEI — race, economic, religious, disability, sexual orientation, etc."