Evanston-Skokie School District Faces School Closures

News Summary

The Evanston-Skokie School District 65 is experiencing financial strain, leading to a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan that may result in the closure of up to four school buildings by 2026-2027. The district faces a budget deficit projected between $10 million and $15 million. Concurrently, they prepare for the new Foster School opening while addressing declining enrollment and building repairs. Community input will be sought in the decision-making process regarding potential closures, which will not be finalized until after public hearings.

Evanston, Illinois – The Evanston-Skokie School District 65 is grappling with significant financial challenges, prompting the implementation of a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP), which may lead to the closure of up to four school buildings by the 2026-2027 school year. This initiative aims to address a budget deficit projected to fall between $10 million and $15 million by the end of the 2027 fiscal year.

As part of the SDRP, the district is also preparing for the opening of the new Foster School in the Fifth Ward concurrently with potential school closures. Current enrollment trends show a concerning decline, with elementary schools reportedly operating at less than 60% capacity. Further complicating matters, the district’s buildings are in dire need of approximately $188 million in repairs and overdue maintenance.

The School Board, led by President Sergio Hernandez and Vice President Nichole Pinkard, has openly discussed the complexities involved in making decisions about potential school closures. A constructive approach is being taken, with the formation of three budget reduction committees focusing on finance, facilities, and programs. These committees, including parents, caregivers, community members, and district staff, are gathering volunteer feedback to assist in the SDRP process.

On September 29, the school board plans to present various scenarios regarding potential school closures, although no final decisions will be made during that meeting. Any implementation of closure scenarios will not occur until late October at the earliest. To facilitate community involvement, four public input sessions and an online survey are scheduled for mid-October, allowing residents to voice their opinions and concerns.

In evaluating schools for potential closure, the board will consider five broad categories: geography, equity, building cost, building functionality, and building income. Of these, geography is weighted most significantly, assessing factors such as walkability, safe routes to school, transportation needs, and proximity to other schools. Equity evaluations will focus on the impact of closures on various student demographics, determining how different groups will be affected.

The average age of District 65’s school buildings is around 80 years, raising additional concerns regarding necessary renovations and ongoing operational expenses. Functionality assessments will also take into account building accessibility and revenue opportunities for the property. The school board will provide scorecards that classify each school based on these evaluation criteria during the meeting on September 29.

It is important to note that the board will not vote on final closure decisions until after a series of hearings, which may continue into November. Recently leaked proposed closure scenarios from a finance committee presentation were described as preliminary and not definitive, underscoring the fluidity of the process.

In addition to addressing school closures, the district recently announced the closure of the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies at the end of the current school year due to budget issues and declining enrollment. The announcement elicited emotional responses from students and parents on the first day of school this year.

Enrollment in the district has seen a striking decline, with a reported 20% decrease since 2018, further impacting its financial stability. Current buildings are operating at a mere 65% capacity, which exacerbates the existing financial issues. Despite these obstacles, district leaders have indicated a minor reduction in projected deficits for the current fiscal year, although financial challenges remain substantial.

As the board navigates these hurdles, it is focused on engaging the community throughout the decision-making process, welcoming input on proposed school closure scenarios in an effort to prioritize transparency and inclusiveness.

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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