HINSDALE, IL – In two ways, Catherine Greenspon, president of the Hinsdale High School District 86 board, has violated promises she made during her campaign – at least so far.
In early March, organizers of the Independent Voters for D86’s candidates forum included a lightning round of questions, in which candidates could answer yes or no.
Candidates were asked whether every board meeting, including special sessions and committees, should be recorded and posted on the district website.
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All four candidates present, including Greenspon, said the district should.
Greenspon nodded as the question was being asked and answered, “Yes, and livestreamed.”
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Since Greenspon took the helm in early May, the district has not recorded most special meetings and committees. This is despite repeated requests from member Kay Gallo, who agreed with the other candidates in the March forum.
Also at the forum, candidates were asked whether the district should release the report into Superintendent Tammy Prentiss’ controversial handling of an anti-racist consultant.
Greenspon and the other candidates said the inquiry, which cost taxpayers nearly $40,000, should be divulged.
But she has continued the policy of her predecessor, Erik Held, to keep the document secret.
As president, if Greenspon mentions the existence of the report during a public meeting, it must be released under the state’s open records law.
In January, the board majority amended Prentiss’ contract to protect her from being fired based on the report’s findings. At the time, Held, apparently knowing the law, deliberately avoided referring to the report. This was despite a request from member Debbie Levinthal to do so.
During the campaign, Patch also asked candidates whether the district should release the report. Again, Greenspon favored openness.
“Yes, the BoE should share any and all detail in to the investigation of this matter due to safety concerns,” Greenspon said in her response. “It’s the district’s obligation to share the report, at the minimum, with (Culture and Equity Leadership Team) members who may have safety concerns after the incident and letter.”
The later secrecy is surprising, given that Greenspon was an outspoken Prentiss critic even before her campaign.
Upon taking over the board, the new majority suspended Prentiss within days. In late June, the board entered a severance deal with Prentiss, with the former superintendent getting her full $277,000 salary this budget year.
Greenspon did not return a message for comment.
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