News Summary
Evanston-Skokie School District 65 is deliberating potential school closures due to a significant budget deficit and declining enrollment. The board discussed various scenarios for closing schools, including Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Dewey, as well as the conversion of King Arts magnet school. Community concerns about transparency and impacts on students were raised during the lengthy meeting. With a budget gap projected between $10 million and $15 million, urgent changes are needed to maintain financial sustainability and address deferred maintenance costs.
Evanston, Illinois – The Evanston-Skokie School District 65 is contemplating school closures in light of a significant budget deficit and decreasing student enrollment. During a recent four and a half hour school board meeting, board members discussed revised scenarios aimed at redistributing students across the district while grappling with the implications for middle school feeder patterns and an increase in transportation demands.
In a scenario proposed on September 29, the district examined the potential closure of three elementary schools: Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Dewey. Additionally, plans were considered to convert King Arts magnet school into a neighborhood elementary school. Public commentary during the meeting revealed widespread concern regarding several issues, particularly about the weekday meeting being held at 9 a.m. and a perceived lack of transparency in the decision-making process.
Assistant Superintendent Stacy Beardsley indicated that the scenarios under review are manageable, underscoring the district’s commitment to effectively navigate the anticipated changes. The district is facing a pressing requirement to cut millions from its budget to achieve balance by 2030, as prior years have seen spending consistently outpace revenue. Currently, enrollment within district elementary schools is below 60% capacity, heightening the urgency for possible school closures.
Further complicating matters, deferred maintenance for district buildings has amassed a repair cost estimated at approximately $188 million, contributing to the financial strain. The board evaluated different closure scenarios based on various factors, including geography, equity, building expenses, overall functionality, and income levels, utilizing weighted scores for assessment.
Following initial feedback from the board in September, administration refined two specific scenarios for further consideration. The first entails the closure of Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Washington, while the second would involve Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Dawes. Under the first scenario, Dewey would expand with an additional Two-Way Immersion (TWI) strand, while Willard would see a reduction in TWI offerings. Conversely, the second scenario could lead to significant imbalances in middle school capacity among feeders.
The board’s deliberations revealed mixed reactions towards the proposed scenarios, with members advocating for extended review time to ensure all options were thoroughly evaluated. Newly elected board President Pat Anderson highlighted the necessity for enhanced building utilization and addressing financial sustainability as paramount priorities. Some board members have suggested adopting a phased approach to the closures, creating more time to assess financial implications and lessen the potential impact on students.
Tensions were apparent when former President Sergio Hernandez pushed for prompt action regarding school closures to avoid deferring crucial decisions. In response to mounting community concern, the board initiated a series of four community feedback meetings to gather input relating to the proposed closures. The target timeline for finalizing any changes is set for mid-November, with a deadline of November 3 for board members to propose any adjustments based on community feedback.
The budget deficit projected for the district ranges from $10 million to $15 million, which must be resolved by the 2027 fiscal year. Previous actions taken by the board include staff reductions and the closure of Bessie Rhodes Elementary, further underscoring ongoing financial challenges. Parents have voiced worries regarding the potential adverse effects of school closures on specialized programs and marginalized communities.
In the midst of these developments, a petition has emerged calling for the resignation of former President Hernandez as community pressure surrounding financial management issues continues to grow. As the district navigates this tumultuous period, the outcome of the proposed school closures remains uncertain, with significant implications for students, families, and the broader community.
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Additional Resources
- ABC7 Chicago
- Wikipedia: Evanston, Illinois
- Evanston RoundTable
- Google Search: D65 school closures Evanston
- Daily Northwestern
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Evanston
- NBC Chicago
- Google News: Evanston school closures
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