School board vs. the public interest

Alienating the South community is something that the Hinsdale High School District 86 board may not be trying to do, but it may be succeeding in alienating the South community anyway. Not answering questions from residents at open board meetings is just one example. Not knowing this, if you went to the April 23 regular board meeting at 6 p.m. and had a question to ask, you would get no answer, plus both have no idea when during the meeting that opportunity exists, or also to hear all other regular business conducted, given the board's scheduled closed session at the very beginning of the meeting. Considerate boards do not do this as a rule, unless absolutely necessary. Stifling public speech, and meeting attendance?

Like controlling the clock in football when a team believes it is way ahead of the opponent, some public boards are known to control the clock. Or, how about another board that does not allow board members to speak?

Live anywhere in District 86, except the designated South attendance area, and you can send your kids to Central or South. But live in the South attendance area, and you are restricted to sending your kids only to South. I'm unaware of any Chicago area high school district doing this. I believe it may be the sole work and creativity of the District 86 board members.

Now, do the D86 board members believe that their policy makes South residents grateful, happy, sad or perhaps plain and simple angry?

Roger Kempa

Darien