February 26 2020 Public Statement Regarding Disciplinary Action

We are aware of an incident at Hinsdale South involving a member of our

staff, Lisa Fernandez, who exercised poor judgment by using a racial
slur when trying to engage students in a discussion about Black History
Month. We take these matters very seriously, and immediately launched an
investigation into this situation that was led by our human resources
department. This investigation revealed that the use of the slur, while wholly
indefensible, was not intended to be malicious or demeaning in nature. With
that said, the intent does not excuse the act, or minimize the impact it had
on members of the District 86 community.

Our district is strongly committed to ensuring that everyone feels safe,

welcome and respected in our buildings. It is because of this commitment
that we have no tolerance for the use of such language by our students or
staff.

We thank the students who brought this important issue to our attention.
We thank the building administration from South and the HR department for
its help with the investigation.
 A Tradition of Excellence
February 18, 2020

To: Lisa Fernandez, Science Teacher – Hinsdale South

From: Domenico Maniscalco, Chief Human Resources Officer
Subject: Disciplinary Action Recommendation to the BOE

Dear Ms. Fernandez,

This notice is to inform you that I have concluded the investigation regarding the incident that occurred on
February 5, 2020 in your biology class as part of South Pride’s 15-minute Empathy lesson. It is my finding that
you made an extremely bad judgement call and did not properly hear or listen to your students that day. As part
of the disciplinary action for your recent performance failure that involved racial slurs on February 5, 2020, this
notice is to inform you that I will recommend the following to the Board of Education on Wednesday, February
26, 2020:
1. Five (5) days, unpaid suspension from Thursday, February 13th to Thursday, February 20th. The five-
day pay deduct will be withdrawn on your March 13, 2020 payroll. My team will be in touch with you
and will provide an exact amount after the board has taken action.
2.

3. On Friday, February 21st, you will return to work but you will not be teaching that day. We will hold
individual meetings with your impacted colleagues. This will be your opportunity to apologize and to
speak your truth. Principal Lyp and I will facilitate these meetings. In addition, you will have an
opportunity this day to address your class, apologize for the February 5th incident, and to speak your
truth to impacted students.
a. By this Thursday at noon (Feb 20th), please provide Principal Lyp and I talking points as to what
you’d like to covey to your colleagues on Friday. In addition, please provide talking points as to
what you would like to convey to your students on Friday. Principal Lyp and I would like to
review this before the Friday meetings take place.
b. After these mediation sessions take place on Friday, we’d like you to create a self-reflection
narrative by Wednesday, February 26th on:
i. How you believe the meetings went?
ii. How you can build trust with colleagues and students where trust has been jeopardized
moving forward?
iii. How you will ensure that an incident like this will never occur again?

5500 South Grant Street | Hinsdale, IL 60521 | 630.655.6100 | d86.hinsdale86.org

 A Tradition of Excellence
4.

5. If you would like to address the BOE in closed session on February 26, 2020, we will provide you a 5-
minute window to do so if you choose. I will need confirmation from you no later than Friday, February
21st, end of business if you would like the opportunity to address the BOE.
As with all personnel matters, this issue will be held in the strictest of confidentiality. However, your 5-day
unpaid suspension will be on the consent agenda, visible for the public to see on February 26, 2020.
I believe you are genuinely sorry for the negative impact this incident has caused your students and colleagues
and most importantly, I am confident that this issue will never occur again.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,

Dominick Maniscalco
Chief HR Officer

5500 South Grant Street | Hinsdale, IL 60521 | 630.655.6100 | d86.hinsdale86.org

From: Maniscalco,Domenico
To: Prentiss,Tamara
Subject: Lisa Fernandez Investigation and Disciplinary Recommendation
Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2020 9:06:00 PM
Attachments: image001.png
Student reports 2.5.20.pdf
summary for Fernandez.pdf
Lisa Fernandez.pdf

Tammy,
Attached are three documents that should be forwarded to the BOE regarding Lisa Fernandez and
the investigation, and conclusion of the investigation that Tony and I worked together on.
 
1.       Student statements. There are 14.
2.       Summary for Fernandez: This was my investigation notes when we met with Lisa and the
association.
3.       Conclusion of investigation and a disciplinary action recommendation that we’ll be making
to the BOE on 2-26. The only item the board AND PUBLIC will see is the 5-day unpaid
suspension that will be on the consent agenda on 2-26. I wanted the BOE to see the full
disciplinary notice which carries much more weight to it than just the 5-day unpaid
suspension.  
 
Please let me know if there are any questions.
 
 
Thank you,
 
Dominick
 
Domenico Maniscalco
Chief Human Resources Officer
Hinsdale Township High School District 86
 
W: 630-570-8008 | C: 917-251-5954 | F: 630-655-4527
 
Executive HR Assistant – Karen Zahara – 630-655-6114
 
Interested in being a Hornet or Red Devil?
Apply for open positions here: https://www.applitrack.com/d86/onlineapp/default.aspx
 
From: Maniscalco,Domenico
To: Kedrowski,Debra; Creighton,Stacie
Cc: Prentiss,Tamara
Subject: FW: Conclusion of Investigation and Disciplinary Recommendation to BOE
Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2020 2:48:33 PM
Attachments: image004.png
Statement to Faculry members.docx
Statement to Students.docx

Email thread below…. And attached.

 
 
Thank you,
 
Dominick
 
Domenico Maniscalco
Chief Human Resources Officer
Hinsdale Township High School District 86
 
W: 630-570-8008 | C: 917-251-5954 | F: 630-655-4527
 
Executive HR Assistant – Karen Zahara – 630-655-6114
 
Interested in being a Hornet or Red Devil?
Apply for open positions here: https://www.applitrack.com/d86/onlineapp/default.aspx
 

 
From: Fernandez,Lisa <lfernand@hinsdale86.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 1:22 PM
To: Maniscalco,Domenico <dmanisca@hinsdale86.org>; Shepherd, Naomi
<Naomi.Shepherd@ieanea.org>
Cc: Cazzato,Rick <rcazzato@hinsdale86.org>; Prentiss,Tamara <tprentis@hinsdale86.org>; Pokorny
Lyp,Arwen <apokorny@hinsdale86.org>
Subject: RE: Conclusion of Investigation and Disciplinary Recommendation to BOE
 
Thank you to everyone and the work they have done in coming to this resolution although I realize
the board has the ultimate say in the matter.  I have attached the statements I was planning on using
with staff members and with students.  I appreciate any feedback if you think any changes need to
be made, just let me know.
 
Again, I cannot stress enough how sorry I am that words I said were hurtful to others, that was never
my intention but I understand that they were hurtful.  I plan to work really hard to rectify this
situation outlined in Dominick’s letter as well as to work hard in my classroom every day.  Thank you
for your time.
Lisa
 
Sincerely,
Lisa Fernandez
Hinsdale South High School
Science Teacher

 
From: Maniscalco,Domenico <dmanisca@hinsdale86.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 1:14 PM
To: Shepherd, Naomi <Naomi.Shepherd@ieanea.org>; Fernandez,Lisa <lfernand@hinsdale86.org>
Cc: Cazzato,Rick <rcazzato@hinsdale86.org>; Prentiss,Tamara <tprentis@hinsdale86.org>; Pokorny
Lyp,Arwen <apokorny@hinsdale86.org>
Subject: RE: Conclusion of Investigation and Disciplinary Recommendation to BOE
 
Hi Naomi,
Answers below in red.
 
 
Thank you,
 
Dominick
 
Domenico Maniscalco
Chief Human Resources Officer
Hinsdale Township High School District 86
 
W: 630-570-8008 | C: 917-251-5954 | F: 630-655-4527
 
Executive HR Assistant – Karen Zahara – 630-655-6114
 
Interested in being a Hornet or Red Devil?
Apply for open positions here: https://www.applitrack.com/d86/onlineapp/default.aspx
 
 
From: Shepherd, Naomi <Naomi.Shepherd@ieanea.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 12:57 PM
To: Maniscalco,Domenico <dmanisca@hinsdale86.org>; Fernandez,Lisa <lfernand@hinsdale86.org>
Cc: Cazzato,Rick <rcazzato@hinsdale86.org>; Prentiss,Tamara <tprentis@hinsdale86.org>; Pokorny
Lyp,Arwen <apokorny@hinsdale86.org>
Subject: RE: Conclusion of Investigation and Disciplinary Recommendation to BOE
 
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Hinsdale D86 System. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender's email and know the content is safe.
 
Dominick,
 
Thank you for the time and attention you have given this matter.  It has been a challenge for
everyone involved to reach a resolution that is equitable.  Lisa admitted her mistake in using the
terms in class and has been extremely remorseful that her use of those words was hurtful to others.
 

 
 
Thanks for your continued support as we work together.- You’re welcome and same!
 
Naomi
 
Naomi Shepherd
 
UniServ Director
Region 57 IEA/NEA
 
Office (630) 495-3250
FAX (630) 495-7443
530 East 22nd Street
Lombard, IL 60148
 
From: Maniscalco,Domenico [mailto:dmanisca@hinsdale86.org]
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2020 8:59 PM
To: Fernandez,Lisa <lfernand@hinsdale86.org>
Cc: Shepherd, Naomi <Naomi.Shepherd@ieanea.org>; rcazzato@hinsdale86.org; Prentiss,Tamara
<tprentis@hinsdale86.org>; Pokorny Lyp,Arwen <apokorny@hinsdale86.org>
Subject: Conclusion of Investigation and Disciplinary Recommendation to BOE
 
Ms. Fernandez,
Attached you’ll find my disciplinary recommendation that I will be making to the BOE on Wednesday,
February 26th. There are many dates on the attached notice, but for now, the most important dates
are this week. We need you to return to work this Friday, but not to teach. And, there’s some prep
work that needs to be completed before Friday.
 
Please let me know  if you have any questions.
 
Thank you,
 
Dominick
 
Domenico Maniscalco
Chief Human Resources Officer
Hinsdale Township High School District 86
 
W: 630-570-8008 | C: 917-251-5954 | F: 630-655-4527
 
Executive HR Assistant – Karen Zahara – 630-655-6114
 
Interested in being a Hornet or Red Devil?
Apply for open positions here: https://www.applitrack.com/d86/onlineapp/default.aspx