Kay Gallo, Hinsdale D86 Board Candidate

HINSDALE, IL — Kay Gallo is one of five candidates for three seats on the Hinsdale High School District 86 board. Here are her responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Kay Gallo

Town of residence:

Clarendon Hills

Attendance zone (Central or South):

I live in Maercker District 60, which sends students to Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South. I live in the Central attendance area.

Age:

62

Campaign contact email:

Gallo4D86@gmail.com

Campaign website:

www.Gallo4D86.com

Family:

I have been married for 38+ years and have three adult children.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education:

I have had some college.

Occupation:

I am a co-owner of a computer consulting company with my husband.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

I served a four-year term on the Maercker District 60 Board of Education from 2001-2005. I was elected to the Hinsdale High School District 86 Board of Education from 2009 and served until 2017. I served as Board President from 2015-2017.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I served as a school board member for twelve years. I will be able to quickly acclimate to the needs of board service because I have the experience of being an effective board member. I am well-versed in the Open Meetings Act, what is permissible to be discussed in closed sessions as opposed to open, how to efficiently run a board meeting, and how the budgeting process of the district works – to name just a few issues which board members need to know and understand. I also, through my website and Facebook pages, am informing the community exactly where I stand on each issue.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In the fall of 2014, I was one of two board members who joined the negotiating team for the teachers’ contract after negotiations had broken down and resulted in a threatened strike. The new negotiating team was able to avert the strike, diffuse tension, and bring the entire district community together for the sake of the students. Later that school year at the next reorganization meeting in the spring of 2015, I was selected by my fellow board members to serve as Board President. I was again elected to be Board President the following spring, proving my experience and skill in managing diverse opinions and promoting respectful dialogue at the board table. Additionally, I was instrumental in fostering a collaborative working relationship with the district superintendent while setting strong measurable goals and holding him accountable to the high academic standards the community expects.

Additionally, my work in an ever-evolving technology field has enhanced my ability to problem solve while supporting individual client needs. New software and hardware are quite intimidating to the end user, and my patience and resolve to educate my clients and remedy their technology frustrations and problems are what my business is built on. This collaboration is essential not only to running my business, but also to serving on a board.

What can the school do to counteract dropping standardized test scores?

The district has not fully acknowledged dropping standardized test scores. They have made statements that this is a nationwide trend; however, this does not diminish the impact to those children affected in District 86. It is time for the district to fully analyze test score data and identify what has contributed to the decline, including but not limited to the possible impact of the elimination of G and AR classes. The board must hold the superintendent accountable for the development and execution of viable programs to optimize student outcomes.

Do you support Superintendent Tammy Prentiss? Why or why not?

I do not support Ms. Prentiss in her role as superintendent. I believe that she has been an ineffective leader, and her actions have damaged District 86. For example, the broad, fast-paced, un-piloted changes to curriculum and grading have caused undue stress to students, teachers, and families of the district. In every case, there was no compelling reason for radical change, and there has been little to no measurable evidence that these changes are positively impacting student outcomes. Grading was changed without fully vetting the potential impact and chaos that would ensue, and long-standing courses beloved by the community are set to be eliminated. By all appearances, current students have been guinea pigs in many educational fads and curricular experiments.

What is your view of Superintendent Tammy Prentiss' handling last year of the anti-racist consultant who called Hinsdale "dangerous"?

By reading the withdrawal letter on January 13, 2022 and making statements in the following days to the press, I believe Ms. Prentiss not only failed to protect the staff and students she is responsible for, but she also accused the community, which provides her salary, of abhorrent behavior. By altering, reading, disseminating via the “Board Briefs” publication, and not disclosing her involvement with the letter, Prentiss violated, at a minimum: board policies 1:30, 2:130, 3:40, 4:60, 5:120, 5:20, 8:10, and the Illinois Educator Code of Ethics (referenced in Policy 5:120). Without a recommendation to the board to approve the hiring of the consultant to perform DEI consulting, or any other work, the superintendent, by her reading the correspondence to the board, gave validity to the allegations contained within the withdrawal letter by a non-employee, non-consultant, non-contractor, and non-resident.

Do you believe the school board should release the report from the investigation into that matter? Why or why not?

At this point in time, I believe the report should be released if the new board has a majority vote agreeing to have it released. My intent is to vote in favor of releasing the report.

Do you believe there is equity between Central and South high schools? Why or why not?

The district’s commitment to equity states: “The mission of Hinsdale Township High School District 86 is to empower students to pursue their ideal future by acquiring critical skills and knowledge to collaborate, create and connect with an ever-changing world.” We need to offer challenging coursework and opportunities within each school. Having identical courses may not be the best for every student or each school. Is each school meeting the students where they are when entering the district? I believe only then can we understand equity. Every student deserves to receive the best educational opportunities within our schools, whether they will go to a 2- or 4-year college, trade school, or directly into the workplace to fulfill their ability to be self-sustaining citizens.

Do you support a boundary change between Central and South to equalize enrollments? Why or why not?

No, I do not support a boundary change. The student populations at Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central are different due to the physical sizes of the buildings. In order to balance enrollment, more physical space will be needed at Hinsdale South. This would require the district to pass another referendum which, after approving a $139 million bond issue less than four years ago, would be difficult to do. One concern the board should address is the cause of declining enrollment at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South.

What is your view of critical race theory? Is it being taught in the local schools?

If so, what evidence do you have of that? Critical Race Theory has been used in many different contexts over the past few years, and I have no evidence that it is being taught in Hinsdale Township High School District 86. That said, it is my belief that in this country, through our public education system, an honest accounting of history should be taught. Teaching the whole story with fairness to all is an American value.

What is your view of sex education in local schools? Should an LGBT component be included? Why or why not?

Sex education has long been taught in public high schools, and I believe that should continue in sophomore-year health class. During the unit on sex education, discussions and explanations of sexual orientation and gender identity should be included.

Will you take questions from the media if you are elected?

According to board policy, the Board President is the spokesperson for the district. The board elects the president on a yearly basis. That said, all board members may speak with the media but not on behalf of the full board. As evidenced by my prior board service, I am willing to speak with the press.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No. If elected, I plan to serve a full four-year term.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice regarding running again for this school board has been from my children. They said to continue focusing on the students, just like I did in my previous terms.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

If elected to the Board of Education, I will lead with integrity and focus on the district's ABC's -- the Academics in the classroom, and the Behavior and Character of the board and district administration.
I will:

• seek a board majority to return the district to being student-centered.
• seek a board majority to hold the administration responsible for the negative impacts to District 86 students resulting from the implementation of curricular and grading changes.
• seek a board majority vote to start a robust national superintendent search and hire the best qualified candidate based on stakeholder input.
• seek a board majority to reverse any changes that have resulted in declining student performance.
• work collaboratively with my fellow board members to ensure that all students across the district are provided with equitable opportunities to meet them where they are in order to maximize their potential individual success.
• work collaboratively with my fellow board members to ensure a safe and inclusive district culture for all students and staff.
• seek a board majority to realize prior boards’ past promises of transparency and improved community engagement.
• recommend a more robust facilities committee to verify that the district is projecting and planning for the continuous improvement of its buildings and equipment.
• respect taxpayer interests and uphold my fiduciary responsibilities to protect the district's assets.
• welcome and listen to all viewpoints from students, community members, board members, administrators, teachers, and support staff.