The Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Board of Education has chosen newly-hired Assistant Superintendent Jason Markey to be acting superintendent for the upcoming school year.
Markey, who was originally hired to replace exiting assistant superintendent Christopher Covino, will be filling in for Superintendent Tamara Prentiss — who took a sudden leave of absence in May — for the 2023-2024 school year.
Covino is the current interim superintendent but he will be leaving SD86 to take a job as superintendent of La Grange School District 102. Markey, former principal of Glenbrook High School in suburban Northbrook, steps in to lead SD86 role as of July 1.
On a 5-2 vote at the special school board meeting Monday, board members Catherine Greenspon, Peggy James, Asma Akhras, Terri Walker and Jeff Waters voted in favor of appointing Markey to the interim position.
Members Debbie Levinthal and Kay Gallo voted against it.
It was not immediately clear how much Markey will be paid as interim superintend. However, in a June 23 memo to Covino before his departure, Cheryl Moore, assistance superintendent of human resources, referenced how much an Arlington Heights high school district paid its temporary chief and also the amount the SD86 athletic director made.
Moore stated in the memo that Township High School District 214 paid $1,000 per day for its interim superintendent.
“We have recently paid $650/day for an Athletic Director for reference,” Moore wrote in the memo.
At the Monday night meeting, the board also announced an agreement to amend Prentiss’ contract, which will now end March 31, 2024 — four months sooner than originally agreed. Prentiss went on leave May 16. Under the amended contract, Prentiss is eligible to receive the remainder of her annual $277,470 salary and health insurance benefits.
Most of the special meeting Monday was held in closed session. Board members emerged to cast votes on the contract amendment and Markey’s appointment, offering no public comments or discussion on either matter.
No one with the district was immediately available for comment on Markey’s appointment or the changes to Prentiss’ contract.
Board President Catherine Greenspon assigned members Gallo and Walker to work with Markey on a national superintendent search.
More Top Picks Electric Skateboards
The board is looking to have a permanent superintendent selected and in place by July 1, 2024, according to job description documents for the position.