Evanston, Illinois, October 16, 2025
News Summary
The Evanston-Skokie District 65 school board is deliberating potential school closures due to a budget deficit projected to reach up to $15 million by 2027. Community concerns about impacts on specialized programs and marginalized communities were raised during a lengthy meeting, prompting the board to schedule further community discussions. Proposed scenarios include closing several elementary schools and adjusting the structure of magnet programs to enhance resource allocation. Final decisions are expected by mid-November as the board aims to stabilize the budget while addressing educational equity.
Evanston, Illinois — The Evanston-Skokie District 65 school board is facing a significant challenge as it considers potential school closures amid a budget deficit ranging from $10 million to $15 million by the 2027 fiscal year. During a nearly four and a half hour meeting, administrators discussed revised scenarios aimed at closing schools to balance the district’s budget, which has faced several years of expenditures exceeding revenues.
The meeting, which took place on a weekday morning, was met with criticism regarding its timing and transparency. Public comments highlighted concerns among parents and community members about the impacts of proposed closures on specialized programs and marginalized communities. In response to the community’s feedback, the board initiated a series of four community meetings aimed at addressing these concerns.
As part of the revised plans, three specific school closure scenarios were proposed on September 29. These would involve the closure of Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Dewey elementary schools, alongside converting King Arts magnet school into a neighborhood elementary school. The district’s current enrollment is below 60% capacity across its elementary schools, emphasizing the necessity for these closures. Additionally, deferred maintenance on district buildings has been a pressing issue, with an estimated $188 million needed for repairs.
After receiving feedback from board members in September, administrators refined two potential scenarios for review. The first scenario involves the closures of Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Washington elementary schools, with Dewey gaining a second two-way immersion (TWI) strand while Willard would lose one. The second scenario proposes the closure of Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Dawes, significantly impacting middle school capacity and feeder patterns.
Board President Pat Anderson underscored the urgency to maximize building utilization and stabilize the budget. However, several board members expressed the need for a phased approach to assessing the proposed closures, allowing for a more thorough evaluation of financial implications and student impacts. During the discussions, tensions arose when former President Sergio Hernandez called for swift action to prevent delays in crucial decisions.
While plans for closures remain fluid, the board plans to finalize decisions by mid-November, following further community input and feedback from board members by November 3. Prior actions taken by the board, including staff reductions and the closure of Bessie Rhodes Elementary, indicate ongoing financial difficulties faced by the district.
As the board continues to deliberate, parents remain concerned that the impact of school closures could disproportionately affect marginalized communities and specialized programs. In light of financial management concerns, some community members even presented a petition calling for the resignation of former President Hernandez.
The District 65 school board’s upcoming decisions could radically reshape the educational landscape in Evanston as they strive to address pressing budgetary challenges while maintaining educational equity and access for local students.
Key Factors of School Closure Discussions
- Budget deficit of $10 million to $15 million by 2027
- Current enrollment below 60% capacity in elementary schools
- Deferred maintenance needs estimated at $188 million
- Two potential closure scenarios impacting middle school feeder patterns
- Community meetings initiated for feedback
FAQs
What is the main reason for considering school closures in District 65?
The primary reason for considering school closures is to address a significant budget deficit and declining student enrollment across the district.
How many schools are proposed for closure?
Three schools are proposed for closure, which include Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Dewey elementary schools.
What are some concerns raised by the community regarding these closures?
Community concerns include the impacts on specialized programs, potential negative effects on marginalized communities, and transparency issues related to the decision-making process.
When does the board plan to finalize their decisions regarding school closures?
The board aims to finalize their decisions by mid-November, following further evaluations and community feedback.
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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
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