Hinsdale Township High School District 86's Board of Education voted Thursday, May 28, to authorize the district to intervene in proceedings before the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, giving it standing to challenge property assessment reductions that could shrink its tax base.

Resolution 26.14 allows D86 to join existing appeals as an intervenor. Under Illinois law, when a property owner appeals their assessment downward, a taxing body like a school district can intervene to argue the valuation should hold, preserving its share of property tax revenue for Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South.

The specific properties at issue, including addresses, assessed values, and the dollar amount of revenue at stake, were not identified in the district's published Board Briefs. The full resolution text is available through a FOIA request (5 ILCS 140). Vote counts were not included in the summary.

$2.7 million shifted to transportation

At the same meeting, the board approved two interfund transfers totaling $2.7 million to the Transportation Fund: $1.35 million in interest earnings from the Working Cash Fund and $1.35 million from the Education Fund. The board held public hearings on both the amended FY2026 budget and the proposed transfers before voting.

The Board Briefs did not state the reason for the transfers.

Personnel actions ahead of July 1 transition

The board designated incoming Superintendent Dr. Jack "Chip" Pettit, Admin Chief of Staff Deb Kedrowski, and Backup Board Secretary Lauren Ward to complete Open Meetings Act training. Kedrowski was named the district's FOIA officer. Board Vice President Mary Satchwell was appointed as the Illinois Association of School Boards Governing Board representative.

Pettit, who was approved as superintendent on February 4, starts Wednesday, July 1. He arrives from Duneland School Corporation in Indiana, where he led a K–12 district of more than 5,800 students and was named 2026 Superintendent of the Year (District 1) by the Indiana Association of School Superintendents.

During public comment, residents raised concerns about bullying at Hinsdale Central and about board leadership selection.

Week ahead

Thursday, June 25, 6 p.m. — District 86 Board of Education meeting. The full agenda has not been posted. Based on the board's May 28 discussion, trustees may vote on the 2026–27 regular meeting calendar and discuss the future of the A&O Committee. Check the district website for public comment sign-up details.