THE ISSUE
Officials claim that Dianne Barrett’s repeated requests for documents burden district staffers.

OUR VIEW
Barrett has consulted a lawyer on being denied information to which she is entitled. Do we really need to waste money on a lawsuit?

SPEAK UP
If she doesn’t get the information she’s requesting, what should Dianne Barrett do? Tell us what you think of this by leaving a comment below. You can also e-mail your comment here. Or leave a voice message at (630) 368-8882.

The Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Board of Education has engaged in a long-running feud with one of its own, and it continues to unnecessarily chew up taxpayer revenue.

Board member Dianne Barrett has become a thorn in the side of her colleagues, raising objections about questionable decisions. She has recently expressed concern about how the board has gone about financing synthetic turf athletic fields, and Barrett has raised valid issues.

The latest squabble between Barrett and other members of the board is the number of documents she has requested from the district. Officials have on more than a few occasions denied her requests for materials, forcing her to seek them through the state’s Freedom of Information Act.

The Illinois Attorney General’s Office sent a letter to the board stating that Barrett shouldn’t be forced to request information through the FOIA. School Board President Dennis Brennan, however, said Barrett’s numerous requests have burdened district staffers.

That may be the case. But as a board member, Barrett is entitled to this information. Perhaps if board members were more forthcoming with her during meetings, she wouldn’t seek so many documents.

Barrett said she’s consulting legal counsel about the issue — which means a lawsuit isn’t out of the question. That would be unfortunate, because it would result in taxpayer money being spent on litigation that could be avoided.

Brennan and the other board members have to work on improving their relationship with Barrett. She is a board member and has a right to review district documents so she can make informed decisions.

Perhaps staffers can show Barrett where certain documents can be found in the district office, thus saving them the time of looking this material up and copying it. This compromise could satisfy both camps and thwart future legal action.