News Summary
The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education is set to vote this fall on potentially closing several schools due to ongoing financial difficulties. With declining enrollment and budget deficits looming, the district aims to consolidate underutilized classrooms for better fiscal management. Although specific school closures are undecided, the K-8 Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies will close after the 2025-2026 school year. Community feedback will be sought throughout the decision-making process via public hearings and informational meetings.
Evanston, Illinois – The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education is poised to vote this fall on the potential closure of several schools, with the aim of addressing the district’s ongoing financial crisis. If approved, the closures would take effect next summer, aligning with the opening of the new Foster School. The district is currently grappling with declining enrollment and has reported three consecutive budget deficits, with a fourth anticipated for the fiscal year 2026.
In response to these challenges, the school board is exploring school closures as a strategy to consolidate underutilized classrooms and improve its financial standing. Although specific closures have not yet been decided, the closure of the K-8 Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies has already been approved for after the 2025-2026 school year.
As of August 11, the board has scheduled its first informational meeting at 6 p.m. at the Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center to discuss various closure scenarios. These scenarios have been prepared by committees consisting of community volunteers and staff, and the meeting will serve as an opportunity for community feedback. According to Illinois state law, the school board is required to hold three public hearings to gather input before making any final decisions on school closures.
Factors influencing the closure assessments will include geographic location, equity impact on marginalized student groups, the functionality of school buildings, and potential financial impacts. The Facilities, Finance, and Student Programs Committees have been tasked with evaluating these criteria and have met bi-monthly from April through June 2024 to develop comprehensive plans.
The district aims to achieve a budget reduction of between $10 million and $15 million, following significant cuts of approximately $20 million in prior budget phases. As the financial condition of District 65 worsens—issues that have persisted since at least 2003—the urgency for restructuring has intensified. District 65 Chief Financial Officer Tamara Mitchell has indicated that closure decisions may be added to meeting agendas if necessary.
Future meetings will be integral in allowing community members to engage and provide their perspectives on the proposed changes. A November deadline has been established for public hearings and a subsequent vote, ensuring that community input is prioritized before any decisions are finalized. The board members may vote on the school closure options during the initial meeting, though they are not mandated to reach a decision at that time.
The implications of this initiative are significant for the educational landscape of Evanston/Skokie, and the district’s leadership is committed to conducting a thorough process that considers all stakeholder perspectives. As the district continues to face fiscal challenges, the outcome of these deliberations will likely shape the future of education in the area.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Evanston Roundtable: Potential School Closures District 65
- Wikipedia: School Closure
- Chicago Tribune: D65 May Close Four Schools
- Google Search: Evanston School Closures
- Evanston Roundtable: Evanston School Closures – Equity & Geography
- Google Scholar: School Closure Impact
- ABC7 Chicago: School Closings List
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Closure
- Evanston Now: D65 Seeking Public Input
- Google News: Evanston D65 School Closures
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
