News Summary
The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is exploring the possibility of closing up to four schools by the 2026-2027 school year as part of a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan aimed at cutting $10 to $15 million from its budget. This decision is driven by a 20% decline in enrollment since 2018 and significant financial pressures, including $188 million in deferred maintenance costs. Community feedback will play a crucial role in the decision-making process, with a school board meeting scheduled for September 29 to discuss potential closures.
Evanston, IL — The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is taking significant steps toward addressing its financial challenges, which may result in the closure of up to four schools by the 2026-2027 school year. This potential move is part of a broader Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP) aimed at cutting between $10 million to $15 million from the district’s budget by the fiscal year 2027.
The urgency to trim financial expenditures arises from declining enrollment figures, which have left many of the district’s elementary schools operating at less than 60% of their capacity. In conjunction with possible school closures, the new Foster School is set to open in the Fifth Ward at the same time.
Among the pressing issues facing the district, significant financial pressures are exacerbated by the need for approximately $188 million in repairs and deferred maintenance required for existing school buildings. In light of these challenges, school board President Sergio Hernandez and Vice President Nichole Pinkard have communicated the potential consequences of closure decisions to the community with sensitivity.
Community Engagement and Decision-Making Process
To ensure that closure decisions reflect community sentiment and needs, the school board has established three budget reduction committees. These committees focus on financial management, facilities, and programs and consist of parents, caregivers, community members, and district staff who will provide input during the SDRP process.
Scenarios regarding potential school closures are scheduled for presentation to the school board on September 29, yet any final decisions are not expected at that meeting. The evaluation for these closures will consider various factors including geography, equity, building cost, building functionality, and potential income from each school property.
Criteria for Evaluating School Closures
The evaluation process assigns the highest priority to geographic considerations, assessing factors such as walkability, safe routes to schools, transportation needs, and proximity to other schools. The equity category focuses on the anticipated impacts of closures on various student demographics.
The building cost category will look into operational expenses and necessary renovations for each school, while functionality assessments will focus on the accessibility of school properties and potential revenue opportunities. Each school will receive a scorecard based on these criteria, which will be shared during the upcoming board meeting on September 29.
Importantly, the board will not be able to vote on any final closure decisions until after multiple public hearings, which could extend beyond November.
Impact of Declining Enrollment
District 65 has experienced a 20% decrease in enrollment since 2018, a trend that has contributed to its current financial difficulties. While the district is facing school closures, leaders have noted a slight decrease in deficit estimates for the current fiscal year; however, the financial landscape remains challenging.
Amid these discussions, the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies will officially close at the end of the current school year, due to similar budget and enrollment issues. Students and parents have reacted emotionally to the news of this closure, which comes at a time of significant change in the district.
Future Steps and Community Feedback
In an effort to gather community feedback, the district has planned four public input sessions and an online survey in mid-October. These efforts underscore the commitment to community engagement in the decision-making process. Even with the challenges ahead, district leaders remain open to feedback and aim to consider public sentiments before finalizing any decisions.
The school board meeting on September 29 will mark a crucial point in this decision process, as the district prepares to navigate its financial obstacles and explore potential adjustments to its infrastructure.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Evanston School District Address Potential Closures
Study Reveals Economic Costs of School Closures During Pandemic
Hudson School District Considers School Closures Amid Budget Cuts
Educational Crisis: High School Students Struggle in Reading and Math
Evanston School Board Considers Potential Closures Amid Budget Deficit
District 65 Considers School Closures Amid Financial Challenges
Vallejo School District Faces Major Changes
Evanston School District Considers Potential School Closures
Additional Resources
- Evanston RoundTable: District 65 School Closure Evaluations
- Wikipedia: Evanston, Illinois
- ABC7 Chicago: District 65 Students Head Back Monday
- Google Search: D65 School Closures
- Evanston RoundTable: District 65 on Leaked School Closure Data
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Evanston Skokie School District 65
- Evanston Now: D65 Sets Decision Day for School Closings
- Google News: Evanston School Closures
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
