The Hinsdale High School District 86 school board settled a lawsuit against former Hinsdale South High School band director Kirk Hickman, on June 13.
In August 2020, Hickman suffered a stroke, leaving him with physical disabilities and some cognitive challenges, according to court documents. Upon his return to work, Hickman claims he was denied reasonable accommodations, and suffered a hostile work environment.
Hickman was fired in March 2022, a month later he filed a lawsuit against the school district, school board, and Hinsdale South, alleging they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Human Rights Act.
Judge Edmond E. Chang, with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, allowed the case to move forward, but dismissed all claims of violating the Illinois Human Rights Act, as well as the claims against the district and Hinsdale South, leaving to the school board to settle the remaining ADA claims.
In a 4-0 vote, members Catherine Greenspon, Peggy James, Heather Kartsounes and Jeff Waters approved the settlement; members Asma Akhras, Abed Rahman and Terri Walker were not present during the June 13 meeting.
The Board has not commented on the settlement, and the District has not provided documents related to the case.
In the last year, the school board has approved a settlement agreement with former superintendent Tammy Prentiss, and the school district paid $45,000 as part of a settlement with the mother of a Hinsdale South basketball player.