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Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Considers School Closures

News Summary

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 will hold a meeting to discuss potential school closures due to budget deficits. Community members are invited to voice their concerns. The district is facing a need to cut $10 million to $15 million from the budget by 2027, with declining enrollment adding pressure. Parents are organizing against the closures, while the board considers various closure scenarios. Public hearings are planned for mid-October to facilitate community engagement on this critical issue.

Evanston, Illinois – The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 will hold a special school board meeting on Wednesday, October 8, at the Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Education Center. The primary focus of this meeting is to continue discussions regarding potential school closures amid ongoing budget concerns.

The meeting will commence with one hour allocated for public comments, allowing community members to voice their opinions and concerns. Following the public input, the board will engage in discussions concerning several school closure scenarios that were introduced during a previous meeting on September 29. This earlier presentation highlighted various possibilities for closing schools, reflecting the district’s urgent need to address a significant budget deficit.

Superintendent Angel Turner has acknowledged the uncertainty and anxiety that the prospect of school closures has generated among the District 65 community. The discussions are primarily driven by the need to cut between $10 million and $15 million from the district’s budget by the fiscal year 2027 due to a persistent structural deficit. Declining student enrollment, especially at the elementary level where many schools are operating at under 60% capacity, adds to the financial pressures facing the district.

In recent weeks, parents and caregivers have begun organizing efforts in opposition to the proposed school closures, calling for a reassessment of the plans. Board members have expressed interest in various closure combinations, potentially impacting three schools. The September 29 meeting highlighted seven different closure scenarios, focusing on either Kingsley or Lincolnwood Elementary as potential candidates for closure.

Concerns regarding the possible consequences of school closures on students, teachers, and the community have been prevalent, emphasizing the need for a thorough evaluation of the implications. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Beardsley noted that district buildings are currently functioning at only about 65% of their available capacity, which is a compelling factor in these discussions.

Deferred maintenance issues within the district also pose a significant challenge, with buildings requiring approximately $188 million in repairs, further complicating budgetary decisions. As the discussions progress, the Board is expected to recommend which schools may close by mid-November.

To facilitate community engagement, several public hearings and outreach meetings are scheduled for mid-October, allowing residents to provide meaningful feedback on the proposed changes. The Board’s next regular meeting is set for Monday, October 27, where more discussions on the topic of school closures will take place.

Amid these financial challenges, the ongoing dialogue around school closures reflects a broader concern regarding the sustainability of district assets and the management of operating revenues. The community, which prides itself on its diverse school populations, is advocating for ample time and consideration to assess the potential effects of any closures before decisions are finalized.

The discussions surrounding school closures in Evanston/Skokie School District 65 highlight the intersection of fiscal responsibility and the importance of community input as the district navigates these complex issues.

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Additional Resources

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