With more than 99% results in Kay Gallo, Catherine Greenspon and Asma Akhras unofficially lead Tuesday’s consolidated election for seats on the Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Board of Education.
Three of the seven board member seats were up for election this year, with the current officeholders, board president Erik Held, vice president Kathleen Hirsman and first term board member Cynthia Hanson deciding not to run for reelection.
Gallo has received 6,702 votes, or 25.5% of total votes counted, Greenspon 6,615 votes, or 25.2% of total votes counted and Ahkras 5,109 votes, or 19.4% of total votes counted.
Andrew Catton is in fourth with 4,914 votes or 18.7% of total votes counted and Deborah Clare Willoughby is in fifth with 2,931 votes or 11.1% of the total votes counted.
Often an overlooked and mundane aspect of municipal elections, the April 4 board of education election caught the attention of many in the community as issues regarding District 86’s Superintendent Tammy Prentiss took center stage.
Gallo, Greenspon, Catton and Akhras have been critical of Prentiss, whose retirement at the end of the 2024 school year was approved by the current board in February.
“I am very excited to be able to sit at the board table again, with the support of the community, I am very surprised and very relieved,” Gallo said in an interview with the Doings.