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Asma Akhras and Deborah Willoughby would be excellent members of the D86 Board of Education. Asma and Deborah understand the role of a board member. In contrast to the sensationalized image of members constantly engaging in contentious debates about the future of education, the real work of a BOE is incredibly boring. These two candidates care about setting students up for success, ensuring fair opportunities to quality education and ensuring the efficient use of district funds. BOE members have no substantive role in hiring...
I am writing to endorse Andrew Cotton for D86 school board member. His resume gives him the unique qualifications to represent Hinsdale families. As a business person with his budget experience and personnel and customer satisfaction, he brings a real business knowledge that will be an asset to the board and to the students of D86. — Helen Corsentino, Hinsdale...
In 2011 when I arrived in Hinsdale, I was struck by the strong sense of community endorsement of public education. As a certified educational planner and an independent educational consultantg who works with D86 teens, this was important to me. Over the last few years, I have been dismayed by the lack of vision and cohesiveness in D86. That is why I am supporting Asma Akhras, Kay Gallo and Catherine Greenspon for the D86 Board of Education elections on April 4. Asma is steeped in educational expertise and is a D86 parent,...
File this under things you never imagine happening next door. A person or investment group turning the unsold house next door into an unregulated hotel where up to four groups of people a week cycle through, leaving heaps of trash in their wake. Yes, Airbnb has come to Hinsdale and living next to one is uncomfortable at best and frightening at worst. I know short-term rentals are not allowed in residential districts, but the village needs to get more involved. I invite you to join me in urging the Village Board of Trustees an...
I wholeheartedly endorse Cat Greenspon for the D86 Board of Education. I have had the pleasure of working with Cat as part of the Hinsdale Central Music Parents Association for the past year and a half. In her role as president of the MPA she is engaged and organized. Her enthusiasm for the music program, and all students, is on full display. Coming out of the pandemic the organization had been largely dormant for over a year. With Cat’s leadership we have increased awareness and participation, improved fundraising, added f...
I wholeheartedly support Catherine “Cat” Greenspon for D86 BOE. Although I just met Cat during COVID, it feels like we’re lifelong friends. Cat’s life exemplifies a passion for education. In her 20s, Cat created Computer Labs in Cabrini Green, not just for children, but to provide parents access to the internet to apply for jobs. Her Infinite Green Project provided Chicago area STEM students opportunities to partner with scientists at Argonne National Labs and explore renewable energy sources as global citizens. Activel...
After the upcoming April 4 election, the newly seated D86 school board will hire a new superintendent and assistant superintendent for the district. Hiring the most qualified top two administrators for our community’s high school students is extremely important. I am voting for Asma Akhras, because we are fortunate to have a candidate in Asma who is an expert in curriculum and education. Asma was a math teacher and a licensed principal. She has a master’s degree in education and she trains principals and implements cur...
I have witnessed the integrity and thoughtfulness Asma Akhras brings to every discussion during the 18 years I have known her. Asma is the only candidate with expertise in education, which will be extremely helpful in guiding the important process to hire the next superintendent and assistant superintendent. Asma’s experience as a teacher, school accreditation expert and implementer of curriculum nationwide is invaluable to the D86 Board of Education. She knows how to use data to hold the administration accountable and e...
Someone other than D86 candidate Andrew Catton purchased a website and used it to share a letter that Catton emailed to the board of education last year. Distasteful political tactics aside, the contents of that email are alarming. Catton calls for the firing of those associated with D86 equity work and singles out the director of instruction equity, Dr. Payne. Catton writes, “The real risk from the DIE/ anti-racist agenda is that it has an active subculture of violence and is a proponent of it.” He goes on to ask, “Ho...
I am pleased to submit this endorsement letter in support of Kay Gallo for a seat on the District 86 Hinsdale Township High School Board to be elected in April. I recently served with her for two years — in 2015-17 — and came away impressed with her performance in many ways. With well over a decade as a local school board member in two different districts, I saw firsthand that she really knows the job, grasps local educational issues from A to Z and understands the commitment and considerable time and hard work that the job...
The board of trustees and the members of the Hinsdale Historical Society mourn the loss of Penny Bohnen, a great friend of the society, who time and again brought her energy, connections, experience, joy and resolve to needs, problems, special occasions and, above all, people, on behalf of the society and the Hinsdale community. With the society, Penny was hands-on with fund raising for the rehabilitation of Immanuel Hall and bringing programs and activities to its unique space, helping organize the popular annual Kitchen...
Asma Akhras is a welcome breath of fresh air as a candidate for our District 86 high school board. She is uniquely qualified to foster a partnership between home and school as the mother of a current district student, an experienced education professional and a long-time community volunteer. Her professional credentials are particularly impressive, with her success in collaborating among stakeholders to implement rigorous curricula in different school systems across the country. As a taxpayer, I also appreciate Asma’s p...
Whose idea was it to absolve the D86 superintendent of responsibility for last year’s alleged lapses in loyalty and ethics? Superintendent employment terms are not set by the superintendent, HR or counsel to D86. These are set by the D86 board. This unjustified change is nothing more than an expression of spite by departing board members. The community needs a real board, not a board of three, plus four who blindly follow the superintendent, wherever she points. — Creighton Meland, Hinsdale...
The District 86 School Board presented a master class in abuse of power and obfuscation at its Jan. 26 meeting, when the majority bloc (Erik Held, Kathleen Hirsman, Cynthia Hanson and Terri Walker) voted, with only 48-hours notice, to extend the employment contract of Superintendent Prentiss by a mere 31 days (to 7-31-24) without any clear explanation of how the extension served the interests of the district and with no analysis of the financial impact to taxpayers. Simultaneously, the majority amended Prentiss’ contract t...
In my years as a clinical social worker (now retired), I worked with many young offenders who told me, “If I see a nice car unlocked with keys, I will take it. If the owner doesn’t care enough to lock it, I’m entitled to it.” It appears Hinsdale is becoming a field of operation for like-minded criminals. When you leave your luxury car unlocked with fob available, you are inviting criminals into our community and putting your family, friends, neighbors and kids at risk. If you no longer want your luxury car, why not just co...
Our community had an amazing opportunity to directly help our own residents and those from surrounding communities recovering from alcohol and drug abuse. But rather than support Trinity Sober Living homes , the Hinsdale Village Board has fought for over three years and spent over $1.5 million in legal fees to prevent Trinity from owning a home in Hinsdale. Per Michael Owens, executive director of Trinity Sober living, the audience served is private pay and 90 percent of its clients live within 10 miles of the home. More...
Last week, I had the good fortune of completing the Hinsdale Citizen’s Police Academy. Officer Karen Kowal, who was the primary instructor, guided the class through the 10-session, once-a-week evening program that gave us a “soup to nuts” look at the day-to-day challenges of being a law enforcement officer. While the course is not intended to land us a job on the force, almost every matter that a police officer could face each day was covered by members of the department, from the police chief to the newest members of the d...
The Tuesday before Thanksgiving I went to Shiny Nails, 5823 S. Madison, for my holiday manicure. Just to be safe I took off the bracelet I received from my husband for our 25th anniversary so as not to get any lotion on it. At 9:30 that night I looked at my wrist and sheer panic rushed through me — I left my bracelet at the salon. I decided to call them to leave a voice mail message inquiring if they found it. After three failed attempts, I received a call from Ari the owner. She was worried about why someone was calling h...
Having been raised in DuPage, I know firsthand how this county has always been the exception to the “Illinois rule.” Our leaders prioritize balancing budgets, keeping taxes low, investing in public safety and rooting out corruption. However, DuPage is at a crossroads. Our community can either become more like Chicago and Springfield — or we can continue to be a beacon of good government in a state that desperately needs one. That is why my wife Abby and I are supporting Greg Hart for DuPage County Board chairman. Greg is a de...
Most of us know very little about the workings of the DuPage County Board. We may briefly think about it when we examine our tax bills or learn a bit about it as elections approach and candidates vie for board positions. As with any election, well-informed citizens are in the best position to make the best choices. You can learn more at https://www.dupagecounty.gov/. In District 3, we have been extremely fortunate to benefit from the dedication of current DuPage County Board member, Hinsdale resident, Julie Renehan. Under a D...
The Medicare open enrollment period runs through Dec. 7. Medicare recipients have two choices for covering their medical expenses not paid by Medicare Parts A and B: a “supplemental” plan, also called Medigap, or a Medicare Advantage plan (also known as Medicare Part C) You’ve probably seen the commercials for the Medicare Advantage option. Buyers, beware! Medicare Advantage is allowed to advertise without disclosing the downsides compared to the traditional Medicare plus supplemental, including these: • Medicare Advantage is...
First, thank you HCHS community for including my name in conjunction with the PTO Insight Collaboration program. I was touched by being remembered, as its origins were back in 2010. More importantly, I want to thank the PTO and its members who continue to support the significant work our high school social workers do along with the professionals of the Counseling Center at The Community House. You may never know how influential your interventions and support have been over the past 12 years, but rest assured you have changed...
Basic freedoms are on the ballot this November. It’s abhorrent to me that candidates like Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey have compared abortion to the Holocaust and would make no exceptions, even in cases of rape or incest. It is not the role of government to force women to remain pregnant and go through labor against their will in accordance with a religious belief held by some but not all citizens in a free society. Similarly, our schools and community should have the freedom to be safe from shootings l...
One of my pastimes during the fall is armchair quarterbacking my favorite football teams. If only I was able to make the calls, my teams for sure would win. During COVID, many of us became armchair quarterbacks-of-sorts around topics such as school opening, masks and in-person/virtual learning. I know hundreds and hundreds of you in our community were doing more than just armchair quarterbacking. You were getting involved, writing letters to the school board, to the administration, organizing groups. I know because I...
Tuesday, Nov. 8, is Election Day and I hope that you are planning to vote. In case you are undecided about the race for DuPage County Board chair or the DuPage County board member who will represent you, maybe I can help. As the late, great Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, was quoted to have said: “all politics is local”. The two candidates I am recommending live out strong family values and are dedicated to the safety, education and lifetime well-being of you and your family in DuPage County. In my opinion, Greg Hart...
