News Summary
The Evanston-Skokie District 65 School Board is experiencing strong community opposition to proposed school closures due to financial struggles and declining enrollment. An emotional meeting at Dawes Elementary saw parents expressing concerns that closures could negatively impact families and students’ education. The district is facing a significant budget gap and has identified several schools for potential closure. With enrollment down 20% in recent years, parents worry about the future of specialized programs for vulnerable populations amidst ongoing financial challenges.
Evanston – The Evanston-Skokie District 65 School Board is facing significant community backlash as it deliberates potential school closures in response to a serious financial crisis and declining student enrollment. An emotional meeting held on Tuesday at Dawes Elementary drew numerous parents and community members protesting the proposed plans.
During the meeting, parents expressed profound frustration, voicing concerns that the school board’s decisions could harm families and disrupt the educational experience for students. New School Board President Pat Anderson acknowledged the complexity of the decisions ahead, emphasizing her personal connection to the district through her children and granddaughter.
District leaders are facing a substantial budget gap, needing to cut between $10 million and $15 million to achieve fiscal balance by the 2027 financial year. The district has experienced ongoing financial deficits and has identified a critical need for hundreds of millions of dollars to address building repairs.
Several schools are under consideration for closure due to their declining enrollment, including King Arts, Kingsley Elementary, Lincolnwood Elementary, Washington, and Dawes. The district’s financial woes have been compounded by the recent indictment of former Superintendent Devon Horton, who faces charges for allegedly embezzling funds in a kickback scheme.
The school board is expected to announce its decision regarding the closures by the year’s end. Board Member Nichole Pickard indicated that the solutions may not satisfy everyone, but it is essential to find a viable path for the district’s future. To this end, a committee has been formed to guide discussions on bridging financial gaps and evaluating the impact of the proposed closures.
Parents are particularly worried about how school closures could affect specialized programs for vulnerable student populations, such as those in the RISE and STEP programs that cater to students with unique needs. The district has a history of recent cuts, having already closed Bessie Rhodes Elementary and reduced staff in years prior, leading to heightened anxiety among parents regarding the consequences of further closures.
The meeting lasted over three hours, allowing many parents to voice their opinions and share concerns about fiscal responsibility and the district’s future. Notably, Sergio Hernandez resigned as Board President during the meeting amid public pressure linked to the fallout from Horton’s indictment. A petition demanding Hernandez’s resignation had garnered 329 signatures preceding the meeting.
As the district grapples with these challenges, enrollment figures reflect a troubling trend; the number of students has dropped from 7,496 to 6,019 over the past six years—a decrease of approximately 20%. Meanwhile, the number of administrative personnel has reportedly increased, drawing criticism regarding the district’s expense management.
To ensure community input is considered, the district has scheduled feedback sessions for parents on Tuesday and Wednesday. During these sessions, community members will have the opportunity to share their thoughts on the proposed school closures.
As the school board moves forward with deliberations, President Anderson has pledged to collaborate closely with board members and the broader community to tackle the significant challenges facing the district in this uncertain financial landscape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Considers School Closures
Former Superintendent Indicted on Multiple Felony Charges
Evanston Skokie School District 65 Cancels Special Meeting
Hudson School Board Discusses Potential School Closures
Evanston School Board to Discuss Potential School Closures
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West Virginia Board of Education Calls for Action on School Closures
Parents Rally Against Proposed School Closures in District 65
Additional Resources
- ABC 7 Chicago
- Wikipedia: Evanston, Illinois
- NBC Chicago
- Google Search: Evanston Skokie District 65
- Evanston RoundTable
- Google Scholar: Evanston school closures
- Daily Northwestern
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Evanston school district
- Evanston Now
- Google News: Evanston school closure news
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