News Summary
The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is contemplating the closure of up to four school buildings by the 2026-2027 school year due to a projected budget shortfall of $10 million to $15 million. Declining enrollment rates and a significant need for repairs have intensified the urgency of this decision. The school board has initiated a thorough evaluation process involving community input to assess the impact and criteria for potential closures as they work towards a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan.
Evanston, Illinois – The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is facing a critical juncture in its operational strategy as it considers closing up to four school buildings by the 2026-2027 school year. This difficult decision comes in light of a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP) aimed at addressing a projected budget shortfall of between $10 million and $15 million by the fiscal year 2027.
Amid these closures, the district is preparing for the opening of the new Foster School in the Fifth Ward. However, declining enrollment rates have contributed to significant financial constraints, leaving many elementary schools in the district operating at less than 60% capacity. This rapid decline, which has seen enrollment drop by 20% since 2018, coupled with the need for around $188 million in repairs and maintenance across district facilities, has intensified the urgency of the situation.
The school board, led by President Sergio Hernandez and Vice President Nichole Pinkard, has communicated the complex challenges involved in potentially closing schools. To ensure a thorough evaluation process, the district has established three budget reduction committees. These committees include parents, caregivers, community members, and district staff, who are tasked with providing guidance throughout 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 this meeting. Instead, the board has indicated that discussions about enacting any closures will not begin until late October at the earliest. To gather community input on the proposed scenarios, four public feedback sessions and an online survey are scheduled for mid-October.
Evaluations for potential school closures will assess five main categories: geography, equity, building cost, building functionality, and building income. Geography holds the most weight in evaluations, considering factors such as walkability, safe routes to school, transportation needs, and proximity to other educational institutions. The equity category will focus on the demographic impact of closures and how they affect various student groups.
The assessment will also include a building cost evaluation, analyzing operational expenses and necessary renovations for each school, alongside building functionality, which will consider accessibility and revenue potential of the properties. Scorecards for every school based on these evaluation criteria will be introduced during the school board meeting on September 29.
Importantly, any final decisions regarding closures will require multiple hearings, potentially extending into November. The scenarios related to school closures that have previously been leaked are not definitive; they merely indicate preliminary considerations that are subject to change.
In an immediate response to budgetary issues and declining enrollment, the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies will close at the end of the current school year. This decision has stirred emotional reactions among students and parents, especially given its timing at the start of the new school year.
Additionally, new policies have been implemented district-wide aimed at minimizing distractions during school hours. Students are now required to store their cellphones unless they have a documented medical need that requires phone access during classes.
While District 65 grapples with potentially closing schools, officials report a decrease in deficit estimates for the current fiscal year. However, the district’s financial health remains precarious amidst ongoing challenges. The upcoming school board meeting on September 29 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the future of the district’s educational landscape.
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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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