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Parents and community members urge independent review of Hinsdale South athletics leadership
Summary
Multiple residents told the Hinsdale Township High School District 86 board they have lost confidence in athletic department leadership and asked the board to authorize an independent review that gathers confidential input from students, parents, coaches and staff and produces public findings.
Community members used a July 13 special meeting of the Hinsdale Township High School District 86 board to press for an independent review of athletic leadership at Hinsdale South, saying a pattern of limited visibility and poor complaints handling is driving students to private schools.
Chris Mazzo, who identified himself as a longtime district resident and step-parent of Hinsdale South graduates, told the board he has “lost confidence in the leadership of athletic director Art Astro,” and described “a continuing pattern of limited visibility, poor communication, unresolved complaints [and] instability within athletic programs.” Mazzo asked the board to authorize “an independent review of Mr. Astro’s performance, the operation of the athletic department, and the inadequacy of the district’s oversight,” saying the review should allow confidential input and produce “publicly documented findings and clear follow-through.”
Heather Ruff, who introduced herself as president of the South Parent Athletic Club, said the volunteer organization has tried to revive attendance and support but cannot replace district-level leadership. “We will do whatever it takes to help support it and improve it, but we can’t do that from a volunteer organization,” Ruff said, urging the board to take responsibility.
Parent Courtney Monaco said the district risks losing next year’s cohort of athletes to private schools unless leadership and hiring decisions change quickly, calling the upcoming head-football-coach hire “one of the most important.”
Board member Jeff Waters told the board he has been hearing similar concerns for years and briefly echoed the public speakers’ themes about community frustration.
The public commenters asked the board to move beyond isolated, private meetings between complainants and the athletic director and superintendent, and instead to commission a review that aggregates and analyzes complaints so the board and district leadership can see systemic patterns. The board did not take formal action on an independent review during the special meeting; trustees moved on to personnel and contract items later on the agenda.
The comments were made during the board’s allotted public-comment period at the start of the special meeting. The board’s next stated action was to address personnel contracts and a consulting agreement (both approved by roll call votes during the session).
