Hinsdale D86's 'Unfortunate' Challenge In Finding New Leader

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 has had its share of turnover in the last three years – two superintendents and five interims.

And that's on top of all the changes in the administrative staff and school board.

This week, the school board interviewed representatives of three superintendent search firms – HYA, Pezanoski Consulting Firm and BYP & Associates. Board member Liz Mitha asked them about the turnover issue. Two alluded to the challenge it presents.

"It's unfortunate for you," said Cathie Pezanoski, owner of the Pezanoski firm. "The students in the community do deserve to have a long-term superintendent... That's when you really can make sustainable change and really provide for your students the education and the opportunities they may need."

Steve Griesbach of BWP called turnover the "elephant in the room." If candidates have anxiety about that, he said, only the board can put that to rest.

"I'm just thinking about ways to say, 'You know, we're good people. This is not a scary place. You read the news. This is not where we want to be, and this is not obviously where you would feel comfortable. Get to know us. Give us a chance,'" Griesbach said.

For his part, Griesbach told the board that his firm's conversation with members during the meeting was comfortable.

In June 2023, a new board majority ousted Superintendent Tammy Prentiss, who had started four years earlier. The district then went through the odyssey of five interim leaders.

A year later, Michael Lach, a school administrator from a North Shore district, took the helm. In recent months, the board had differences with Lach. For instance, the board president repeatedly alleged that the administration manipulated data.

In August, Lach announced he would retire next June, a year before his three-year contract was to expire.

After a three-hour meeting Tuesday, the board chose BYP, citing its experience and local knowledge.

During the last superintendent search, the district hired Oak Park-based School Exec Connect to take charge. That process produced Lach. The firm did not give a presentation Tuesday.