Evanston School Board Considers Closure of Elementary Schools

News Summary

The Evanston/Skokie District 65 Board of Education is evaluating the potential closure of several elementary schools, including Kingsley and Lincolnwood, as part of a financial recovery plan. The district faces a significant structural deficit driven by a 20% decline in student enrollment since 2018. Community meetings are slated for gathering public input before a vote that could take place in November. The proposed closures aim to save the district approximately $9.18 million annually while addressing ongoing budget deficits and operational inefficiencies.

Evanston, IL – The Evanston/Skokie District 65 Board of Education is considering the closure of three elementary schools—Kingsley Elementary, Lincolnwood Elementary, and either Dawes or Washington Elementary—as part of a financial recovery plan addressing a significant structural deficit. The Board discussed several scenarios for potential school closures during a recent meeting, which revealed the possibility of shutting down up to four schools, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School.

No definitive decision was reached in the meeting; however, district officials indicated that a vote could occur as early as November. The proposed closures aim to alleviate the district’s financial burdens, with the schools under consideration expected to save approximately $9.18 million annually.

District 65 has been grappling with a 20% decline in student enrollment since 2018, contributing to ongoing budget shortfalls and operational inefficiencies. Currently, the school buildings are operating at an average of 58% capacity and require about $188 million in repairs. As these financial challenges mount, the Board’s financial consultant has highlighted that previous budget deficits have resulted in an alarmingly low reserve balance that fails to meet state funding standards.

To gather community input on the proposed changes, the district has scheduled several upcoming meetings, with community feedback sessions slated for October 14 at Chute Middle School, and two sessions on October 15 at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center and Nichols Middle School. These meetings are designed to give parents, staff, and local stakeholders an opportunity to voice their concerns and perspectives regarding the possible closures.

Concerns have been raised among parents and community members about the swift timeline of the decision-making process and the impact on students and educators. The district has acknowledged the need for increased transparency and community engagement as they navigate these critical decisions. The timeline suggests the Board could vote on the closures following these community comment sessions.

If the Board proceeds with the closures, they will begin the process of reorganizing school attendance boundaries in response. Kingsley and Lincolnwood were frequently mentioned in staff recommendations for closure, with Lincolnwood projected to have the smallest enrollment under newly planned attendance boundaries set for August 2026.

The implications of reduced operating costs, including potential job losses for educators and staff resulting from school closures, remain a key concern among stakeholders. The Board is committed to considering the ramifications of these decisions on staffing, student needs, and overall community impact as discussions on school consolidations evolve.

In summary, the Evanston/Skokie District 65 Board of Education is at a pivotal point in determining the future of its elementary schools amid financial difficulties. The Board’s upcoming meetings and decisions will shape the educational landscape for students and the community, presenting both challenges and opportunities for improvement in the district’s fiscal health.

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Additional Resources

• Evanston RoundTable: Simone Larson Column on School Closures
• Evanston RoundTable: District 65 School Closure Recommendations
• Chicago Tribune: Evanston/Skokie D65 Leans Toward Closing Schools
• ABC7 Chicago: Evanston/Skokie District 65 Students Return to New Cell Phone Policy
• Encyclopedia Britannica: School Closures