Evanston School Board Considers Closure Amid Budget Deficit

News Summary

The Evanston-Skokie District 65 school board recently discussed potential school closures due to a significant budget deficit and declining enrollment rates. With elementary schools operating below 60% capacity, the board presented several scenarios for closing schools, including Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Dewey. Community members expressed dissatisfaction over the meeting’s timing and lack of transparency. The district faces a projected budget deficit of up to $15 million by 2027 and is under pressure to maximize resources while addressing maintenance needs. Decisions regarding school closures are expected by mid-November.

Evanston – The Evanston-Skokie District 65 school board recently held a nearly four and a half hour meeting to discuss potential school closures as the district grapples with a significant budget deficit and declining student enrollment. The board is faced with the necessity to cut millions from its budget in order to balance financial plans by 2030.

Current rates of enrollment in District 65 are troubling, with elementary schools operating at below 60% of their capacity. This has raised pressing concerns on how to reorganize the school system to better utilize resources, ultimately leading to discussions around closing certain schools. During the meeting, three proposed school closure scenarios were presented including the closing of Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Dewey elementary schools, alongside a proposal to convert King Arts magnet school into a neighborhood elementary school.

Amidst these discussions, public commentary reflected deep dissatisfaction among community members, particularly regarding the scheduling of the 9 a.m. meeting on a weekday and a perceived lack of transparency in the decision-making process. Some board members shared mixed reviews of the closure scenarios and expressed the necessity for additional time to thoroughly evaluate each option.

Financial challenges for the district extend beyond just enrollment figures. Deferred maintenance needs for district buildings are assessed at around $188 million, stressing the urgency for budgetary adjustments. After multiple years of expenditures surpassing revenues, the district is now faced with a budget deficit projected to range between $10 million to $15 million by the 2027 fiscal year.

In response to the financial crisis, the board has previously made moves to reduce staff and even voted to close Bessie Rhodes Elementary. This history of financial difficulties prompted a series of specific scenarios aimed at distributing students more evenly across schools, which could also impact middle school feeder patterns and require adjustments in transportation logistics.

The school board utilized a weighted score system to evaluate closures by considering multiple factors such as geography, equity, costs, functionality, and income. Two primary scenarios have been refined based on earlier board feedback: one proposes the closing of Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Washington, while the other suggests Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Dawes. Should any of these scenarios be implemented, Dewey would benefit from adding a second Two-Way Immersion (TWI) strand, while Willard would lose its TWI strand in the first scenario. Conversely, significant imbalances in middle school capacities could arise from the second scenario.

Newly elected board President highlighted the commitment to maximizing the utilization of existing buildings and balancing the budget as crucial priorities for the district’s future. However, not all board members were on the same page, with some advocating for a phased approach to closures. They believe taking small steps would allow for better financial assessments and less disruption to students’ educational experiences.

Additionally, the meeting also saw tensions among board members as a former president pressed for immediate action on proposed closures, emphasizing the importance of timely decision-making in light of the district’s financial struggles. To better engage with community concerns, the board has initiated a series of four community feedback meetings to gather input on the proposed scenarios.

The school board aims to finalize any decisions pertaining to school closures by mid-November, with a deadline set for board members to submit feedback and propose changes by November 3. Parents and community members have raised worries about the negative consequences that school closures may yield on specialized programs and marginalized communities, highlighting the critical nature of the board’s deliberations amid heightened community concern.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Norfolk School Board Approves Multi-Year School Closure Plan
Hudson School District Votes to Close Elementary Schools
Community Rallies to Save Dawes Elementary School
Evanston Skokie School District Faces Financial Crisis
Evanston School Board Faces Community Opposition Over Closures
Hudson School District Considers Closing Elementary Schools Amid Budget Crisis
Community Voices Concerns Over Proposed School Closures
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Considers Elementary School Closures
Former Superintendent Indicted on Multiple Federal Charges
Arizona Schools at Risk of Closures Amid Funding Crisis

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