Dupage Policy Journal

Darien resident Tom Weiland called out Hinsdale 86 Superintendent Tammy Prentiss for hiring an outwardly biased “anti-racism” consultant Valda Valbrun in 2022. 

Weiland described the consultant’s output on social media.

“Hinsdale High School Superintendent wanted to hire a Consultant the[n] Train Teachers in Anti-Racism..” Weiland wrote on Facebook. “Previously the individual Consultant posted the following on Twitter: Valbrun's tweets. In one, Valbrun called Republican governors Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas ‘devils,’ saying she hoped the ‘entire GOP implodes.’” 

Valbrun called Hinsdale “a dangerous place” to which resident Fred Boshardt reacted at a May school board meeting.

"To be clear, the superintendent who created this mess should have nothing to do with this investigation,” Boshardt said, according to Patch. “A disloyal and destructive superintendent working with the complicity of the board cannot continue one second longer.” 

Residents in Hinsdale High School District 86 are demanding the removal of Prentiss following a controversial incident involving the hiring of an anti-racism consultant. During a school meeting, residents expressed anger over Prentiss publicly reading a letter of withdrawal from Valda Valbrun, the consultant who was poised to receive a consulting contract. Valbrun's letter denounced Hinsdale as "dangerous" and mentioned receiving vitriolic and unprofessional messages from residents. The residents questioned whether Prentiss consulted with the board before reading the letter, which they believed damaged the district's reputation. At the meeting, some residents called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Valbrun's interview in the district, while others expressed doubt. 

Boshardt advocated for an independent investigation, emphasizing the need to address accusations against staff. Angela Sartori called for Prentiss's removal, citing her poor judgment in hiring a consultant who engaged in Republican bashing and her decision to give a public forum to that vendor. Some speakers defended the district's equity work, expressing support for the efforts being made. Board members Debbie Levinthal, Jeff Waters, and Peggy James indicated they had not been consulted about Prentiss's decision to read the withdrawal letter publicly. The other board members did not address the issue directly. Waters expressed concerns about Valbrun's condemnation potentially leading to an exodus of families, students, and teachers.

The board announced after the meeting that Prentiss is taking a leave of absence before departing the school district per the board’s request. Assistant Superintendent Chris Covino has been acting as the superintendent during Prentiss's absence. The board did not provide further details, citing respect for Prentiss's privacy, DuPage Policy Journal previously reported. The board had a meeting scheduled where they were supposed to vote on a special counsel, but no decisions or minutes from the meeting have been published. A new board majority took office in May, and they were reportedly not in favor of Prentiss following her controversial actions in 2022 involving Valbrun’s hiring as an anti-racism consultant.

Michelle Cordova-Ptak, a parent in Hinsdale High School District 86, has expressed support for the decision to place Prentiss on a leave of absence. Cordova-Ptak praised the new board for taking action and hoped they would reconsider Prentiss's pension and pay raises. 

"I think it is a huge step forward for the District,"  Cordova-Ptak told the DuPage Policy Journal. " I think the old board trying to push through things was horrific. I am hopeful that they will be able to rewind what old board did in regard to her ability to receive a pension. I would also like to see the pay raises she was given rescinded. I don't know  what their end game is with this, but they're at least looking at things which is more than what we got from the old board."

The board had a scheduled meeting to vote on a special counsel, with closed sessions focusing on personnel matters, but no decisions or minutes have been released. 

Cordova-Ptak also raised concerns about an email sent to Black and Hispanic students at Hinsdale South High School, which some criticized as exclusionary and racist. She called for transparency from the school district and questioned if Prentiss's leave was related to the issue.

Covino recently announced he is leaving the school district after the 2022-23 school year, as he has accepted the position of superintendent for LaGrange District 102, Chicago Tribune reported.