Parents Rally Against Proposed School Closures in District 65

News Summary

Over 75 parents gathered at the Fat Shallot restaurant to voice their concerns about proposed school closures in District 65. The district unveiled seven scenarios that threaten Lincolnwood and Kingsley Elementary, provoking strong community backlash. Parents worry about the rushed decision-making timeline, lack of transparency, and the impact on local students, especially within Hispanic and Latino communities. As frustrations grow, parents are calling for better communication from the school board and a task force to advocate against the closures while the district faces financial challenges and declining enrollment.

Lincolnwood, Illinois – Over 75 parents gathered at the Fat Shallot restaurant on Tuesday evening to organize against the proposed school closures in District 65, amid concerns that the time frame for making such significant decisions is rushed and lacking transparency.

District 65 recently unveiled seven potential school closure scenarios, one of which could result in the closure of both Lincolnwood and Kingsley Elementary. Under every proposed scenario, either Lincolnwood or Kingsley, or both, are on the chopping block, provoking strong responses from the affected communities. Also included in the discussions are other schools such as Willard, Washington, Dawes Elementary, and King Arts Magnet School. The proposed options are set to eliminate the two-way immersion Spanish-English program at Willard school, raising further concerns among parents.

Parents’ concerns center on multiple factors, including the perceived rushed timeline for decision-making, a lack of transparency from the school board, and skepticism regarding whether closing schools will actually resolve the district’s ongoing financial challenges. The district’s projected budget deficit, initially estimated at $5.69 million, has been revised down to $372,509, leading many parents to argue that a closure is unnecessary.

Parents contend that the district does not face an actual crisis that would require immediate closures, emphasizing worries that remaining schools may not have enough space to accommodate students from closed institutions. Concerns regarding the implications of school closures were particularly significant for families on Evanston’s north side. Parents underscored the need for all children in Evanston to have access to a neighborhood school, highlighting the potential impact on the Hispanic and Latino communities, especially concerning the two-way immersion program.

As frustrations mount, parents are advocating for better communication from the school board and the establishment of a task force to further their advocacy efforts against the closures. Sixth Ward Councilmember Tom Suffredin suggested that the city should take part in discussions surrounding the school closures to ensure all perspectives are represented. A few parents voiced dissatisfaction with what they perceive as the school board’s lack of concern for the needs of north Evanston schools.

A Lincolnwood parent expressed the urgency for families to voice their concerns promptly to influence the decision-making process rather than waiting until it is too late. The district is currently facing declining enrollment, hovering below 60% capacity, and facing approximately $188 million in necessary repairs for its buildings. The comprehensive school closure analysis indicated that closing King Arts would save about $2.7 million, while the closures of Kingsley and Lincolnwood could yield savings of approximately $2 million each.

The overarching criticism among parents lies in the lack of collaboration and transparency in the school district’s strategic deficit reduction planning. There are significant concerns that acting too quickly to close schools could worsen the district’s financial situation accompanying the declining enrollment trends. For now, the school board is not expected to cast a vote on the closure decisions until late October or early November.

In response to the widespread concerns, public feedback sessions will be organized for parents and community members to express their opinions and concerns about the proposed school closures. The district’s management is being urged to consider the implications of these decisions carefully and to engage in more open communication with parents and the community throughout the process.

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Additional Resources

• Evanston Roundtable: District 65 School Closure Recommendations
• Chicago Tribune: Evanston-Skokie District 65 Leans Toward Closing Schools
• Evanston Now: D65 Incomplete School Closing Info Leaked
• Evanston Now: D65 Sets Decision Day for School Closings
• Encyclopedia Britannica: School