Evanston, September 23, 2025
News Summary
Evanston/Skokie District 65 is contemplating the closure of up to four schools due to ongoing financial struggles and a significant decline in enrollment. The district faces the necessity of cutting $10 million to $15 million from its budget by 2027, while also needing $188 million in repairs for its facilities. Community input will play a crucial role in the decision-making process, particularly as a public engagement session is scheduled for mid-October. As the district grapples with these issues, emotional reactions emerge regarding closures, further compounded by new policies to manage distractions.
Evanston
The Evanston/Skokie District 65 is considering closing up to four schools due to ongoing financial challenges and declining enrollment numbers that have resulted in the need to cut between $10 million to $15 million from its budget by the fiscal year 2027. As part of its Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP), the school district anticipates the possibility of closure as it faces serious financial strains, despite plans to open a new Foster School in the Fifth Ward at the same time.
Recent figures reveal that many elementary schools within the district are operating at below 60% capacity. This severe under-enrollment has compounded financial difficulties, especially as the district buildings require around $188 million in repairs and maintenance. The situation has prompted the school board to directly address community concerns regarding potential school closures.
To tackle these issues, the district has established three budget reduction committees—comprising parents, caregivers, community members, and district staff—focusing on finance, facilities, and programs. Their input will be crucial in guiding the SDRP process. Scenarios for potential school closures will be presented at the school board meeting on September 29, although no decisions will be made during that meeting, and final considerations for school closures may not be implemented until late October at the earliest.
Community Engagement and Evaluation Criteria
In mid-October, the district will hold four public input sessions and provide an online survey to gather feedback from the community. The evaluations for proposed school closures will encompass five broad categories: geography, equity, building costs, building functionality, and building income. Particularly significant will be the geographic category, which considers factors such as walkability, safe routes to schools, transportation needs, and proximity to other educational facilities.
The equity assessment will evaluate the impact on different student demographics and groups, while the building cost category will appraise operational expenses and necessary renovations for each school. Building functionality will examine aspects such as accessibility and the potential for revenue generation from school properties. During the upcoming board meeting, scorecards for each school, categorizing them based on these evaluation criteria, will be shared with the audience.
Financial Context
The urgency surrounding these potential closures stems from a substantial enrollment decline, reported at a 20% decrease since 2018. Current school usage stands at around 65% capacity, putting additional strain on available resources. Despite the threatening closures, reports indicate that district leaders have seen a reduction in current fiscal year deficit estimates, though considerable financial challenges remain.
In addition to the school closure discussions, Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies is set to close at the end of the current school year due to similar budget issues and declining enrollment, eliciting emotional responses from students and parents alike at the start of school. Furthermore, the district has recently enacted a new cellphone policy to mitigate distractions, requiring students to store their phones during school hours unless special medical documentation is provided.
Following the community engagement processes and deliberation, final closure decisions cannot be made until after multiple hearings, which may extend until November.
Upcoming Timeline
- September 29: School board meeting to discuss potential closure scenarios.
- Mid-October: Public engagement sessions and online survey.
- Late October: Earliest implementation of any school closures.
FAQ Section
What is District 65 considering for the future of its schools?
District 65 is considering closing up to four schools due to financial struggles and declining enrollment.
When might these closures take place?
The potential closures could be implemented as early as late October 2023, with discussions and evaluations taking place over the following months.
How does the decreasing enrollment affect the district?
A 20% decrease in enrollment since 2018 has led to many schools operating below 60% capacity, straining resources and necessitating budget cuts.
What is the Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP)?
The SDRP aims to reduce the district’s budget by $10 million to $15 million by addressing financial inefficiencies and reviewing school operations.
What criteria will be evaluated for school closures?
School closures will be evaluated based on geography, equity, building costs, building functionality, and building income.
Key Features Summary
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Potential School Closures | Up to four schools may close due to financial difficulties and declining enrollment. |
| Budget Cuts Required | The district needs to reduce its budget by $10 million to $15 million by FY 2027. |
| Enrollment Status | A 20% decrease in enrollment since 2018, with many schools below 60% capacity. |
| Repair Needs | Approx. $188 million in repairs and deferred maintenance required for district buildings. |
| Community Engagement | Four public sessions and an online survey are planned to gather feedback. |
| Final Decisions | The school board will not vote on closures until after multiple hearings, potentially into November. |
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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
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