Hinsdale High School District 86
Among other business July 11, board members:
• approved legal bills totaling $63,325 from Robbins Schwartz for the month of May. Board member Terri Walker pulled the item from the consent agenda, saying she has concerns about the dramatic increase in legal bills.
“Perhaps there is a way we could be a little more prudent in our approach, because this money could be used directly toward improving student outcomes,” she said.
• approved revisions to policy 2:140 regarding communications to and from the board. The revisions add wording that indicates the policy applies to communication on a board member’s private device or account and to call for departing board members to provide the board attorney “with copies or originals of any material in their personal possession that may constitute a public record and, only after doing so, shall delete or destroy any remaining personal copies of public records.”
Walker pulled this item from the consent agenda as well, asking why the additional language was inserted and whether other districts are following the same practice.
“The intent was to provide guidance when using personal devices for board communication,” policy committee Chair Peggy James responded. “I do not know if other districts are following the same suit. I think it’s appropriate for District 86.”
The board voted 6-1 to make the changes, with Walker voting no.
• voted 5-2 to approve revisions to policy 2.160 regarding the board attorney. The changes call for the superintendent to notify the board president when contacting the attorney and indicate the attorney will work with the superintendent to keep the board president informed of that advice. It also indicates the superintendent shall not consult with or hire other attorneys in matters relating to district business.
Walker pulled this item from the consent agenda as well, noting that the board recently hired a new chief administrator.
“I really don’t see the need for extra layers of review, particularly at the beginning of the tenure of the new superintendent,” she said. “Dr. Lach has shared there could be a way for us to get the information we need to feel appropriately informed without having to have the board president involved in every conversation and changing this policy in this way.”
Waters said the changes are in line with the Illinois School Code and the controls are important for the board to be fiscally responsible in regards to legal bills.
The revised policy was approved 5-2, with Walker and board member Asma Akhras voting no.
Hinsdale Village Board
Among other business Tuesday, trustees:
• reviewed an ordinance allowing construction of a new plaza on the south side of the Memorial Building, an intergovernmental agreement with the Hinsdale Public Library and a $318,835 bid from Apex Landscaping to construct the plaza and install landscaping. The library has agreed to split the cost with the village and contribute up to $200,000. Trustees are expected to vote on the items at their Aug. 13 meeting.
• discussed an ordinance limiting short-term rentals in the village to 90 days, with a vote slated for Aug. 13
• granted liquor licenses to Hinsdale Prime Steak, which will open soon in the old Corner Bakery location at Garfield and Hinsdale avenues, and Hinsdale Food and Liquor on South Madison Street
