Parents and students urge board to reverse decision after nonrenewal of band director; board approves nonrenewal 7-0

The Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Board of Education voted 7-0 on March 27 to approve a resolution nonrenewing several full-time probationary teachers, a group that, as listed in the resolution, included Grace Adusi, a band director at Hinsdale Central.

Students, parents, alumni and other community members packed the board meeting and spent nearly all of the allotted public-comment period urging the board to retain Adusi in a full-time role. Speakers described her as an active classroom teacher and mentor whose work, they said, supports student wellbeing and arts participation.

Many said cutting Adusi’s hours would drive students out of the band program and damage the district’s broader music offerings. “Letting her go would be a severe loss for the Hinsdale Central Bands program,” said Jonathan Hurley, a junior at Hinsdale Central who told the board how Adusi provided weekly lessons and kept him in band. “She goes so far above and beyond,” said Chase Barrett, a junior student speaker.

The crowd included current and former students, orchestra parents and alumni who described the band room as a refuge. “She makes us feel like we’re part of a family,” said a Hinsdale Central freshman who credited Adusi with giving extra instructional time that helped her perform in concerts. Several speakers pointed to a petition with more than 600 signatures asking the district to retain Adusi as full time.

Board action and rationale

During the meeting the board advanced a set of staffing and personnel resolutions. Resolution 25.07, described on the agenda as “non renewal of full time, non tenure probationary teachers,” was moved and seconded, then approved on a roll-call vote with all seven members recorded as “Aye.” The motion as recorded on the public record listed the names of affected employees; the board did not reverse the nonrenewal despite the public comments.

Superintendent Mark Locke and Principal Bill Walsh each addressed the meeting. Locke noted that staffing decisions involve “programmatic, personal, and financial considerations” and are constrained by laws, contracts and district procedures; Walsh invited concerned parents and students to meet with him to review course sectioning and staffing at the building level.

Why it matters

Speakers and others in the audience argued the decision will reduce student opportunities in a district that many view as academically competitive. Several parents and alumni said the loss of a full-time band director would make it harder to sustain multiple ensembles (concert bands, jazz ensembles, marching band and music-theory offerings) and to support students who rely on music for social support or mental-health benefits.

What the board did not say

Board members noted the district is following required timelines and contractual processes but did not announce any alternative staffing proposals during the meeting. Several board members thanked students and parents for their comments and encouraged follow-up meetings with school administrators.

Ending

The board’s vote finalizes the nonrenewal as recorded in the March 27 minutes; the district’s posted staffing and personnel steps, and any further administrative adjustments, will govern next steps. Principal Walsh asked families with questions to meet with building administrators and to participate in the planned April discussions about course sectioning and program availability.