D-86 Official Disputes Criticism Of Leader

HINSDALE, IL — A Hinsdale High School District 86 board member came to the defense of the district's superintendent Thursday. He was responding to criticism from the former board president.

Following Tuesday's election, former board President Nancy Pollak, who resigned suddenly in June, took to Facebook to denounce Superintendent Tammy Prentiss.

"Perhaps now the entire D86 community will realize the problem is the Superintendent and her failure to understand who she works for and how to balance those needs," Pollak said in her message.

However, Keith Chval, the board's vice president, disagreed in a response to Pollak's Facebook post.

"You know I love you, Nancy, and I also appreciate the challenges you experienced and was/am supportive of your concerns in relation thereto," Chval said. "At the same time, I think it's equally important to share the record of the Superintendent's performance over the past approximately 18 months or so. And all I can say is that, without any reservation or qualification whatsoever, it has been absolutely superb. On every level."

Chval said District 86 has far surpassed other high schools in its coronavirus response and served as a model for many. He said that from "the minutiae and most 'technical' aspects of leading and running the District to those aspects calling upon the 'softer' skills, she has consistently been spot on," Chval said.

Chval, whose term is expiring May 3, said he did not believe the district and its students have ever been in a better position than they are right now. The superintendent and her team, he said, deserve the credit.

He concluded his Facebook message by saying, "And, again, I say that without discounting you or a word that you've said."

In response, Pollak "liked" Chval's post.

Through a spokesman, Prentiss declined to comment on Pollak's statement Wednesday.

Tuesday's election winners are newcomers who sharply disagreed with board votes to change the science and math curriculums. Prentiss has played a key role on those issues.

In interviews this week, the winners have not committed to Prentiss' status with the district.

In late June, the district announced Pollak's resignation, effectively immediately, saying she was moving out of state.

A Patch story on Thursday documented Pollak's ties with the current school board president, Kevin Camden, who was among the three incumbents to lose in the election. Camden did not return a message for comment.