News Summary
Over 75 parents gathered at Fat Shallot restaurant to voice their concerns over proposed school closures within District 65. The district has introduced seven potential closure scenarios, impacting schools like Lincolnwood and Kingsley. Parents are worried about the timeline, lack of transparency from the school board, and the effects of closures on community resources, particularly the two-way immersion program. Advocacy for better communication with the school board and a dedicated task force was emphasized during the rally as parents seek to ensure their children’s educational opportunities are preserved.
Lincolnwood – Over 75 parents gathered at the Fat Shallot restaurant to voice their concerns about proposed school closures within District 65. The district has introduced seven potential scenarios for school closures that could include Lincolnwood and Kingsley Elementary Schools, both of which are at high risk for closure. Each of the proposed options suggests closing one or both of these schools.
Additional schools under discussion for potential closure include Willard, Washington, Dawes elementary schools, and King Arts magnet school. Notably, plans for closing Willard also involve the elimination of its two-way immersion Spanish-English program, a critical educational resource for many families.
Parents expressed significant worries regarding the rapid timeline the district has set for making these decisions, citing a lack of transparency from the school board and skepticism about whether the closures would effectively address the district’s financial troubles. While the district is operating with a projected deficit now revised to $372,509, this figure is much lower than an earlier estimate of $5.69 million.
Many parents believe that the district is not facing a legitimate crisis that could justify such immediate closures. They raised questions about whether remaining schools would be adequately equipped to accommodate students displaced by the closures, particularly in north Evanston where the impact of such actions could be felt most acutely.
Katie Armistead, a parent from Lincolnwood and one of the organizers of the gathering, underscored the importance of ensuring that every child in Evanston has the ability to attend a neighborhood school. Concerns were also raised about the effects of these closures on the Hispanic and Latino communities, especially regarding the potential loss of the two-way immersion program.
Parents are advocating for enhanced communication with the school board and the establishment of a task force dedicated to ongoing advocacy against the proposed closures. These calls for action were echoed at the rally, with suggestions that public discourse needs to be a part of the decision-making process moving forward. Sixth Ward Councilmember Tom Suffredin recommended the city’s involvement in discussions surrounding the closures to ensure community interests are represented.
A sense of dissatisfaction was palpable among some parents who felt that the school board was not prioritizing the needs of schools in north Evanston. Concerns were expressed about the need for families to take immediate action in voicing their worries rather than waiting for formal meetings.
The district currently faces a declining enrollment figure, with capacity levels at less than 60% across the board. Additionally, it requires approximately $188 million in repairs for its facilities. Current analyses indicate that closing King Arts could save around $2.7 million, while shuttering Kingsley and Lincolnwood would potentially yield savings of about $2 million each.
Despite these projected savings, parents have criticized the school board for a perceived lack of collaboration and transparency in the strategic planning process for deficit reduction. Many feel that hastily moving forward with closures might inadvertently worsen the district’s financial standing, especially in light of declining enrollment trends.
The school board is not anticipated to cast votes on closure decisions until at least late October or early November, providing some time for public feedback sessions that the district has scheduled. These sessions will allow parents and community members to express their thoughts and concerns regarding the proposed closures, as the district prepares to make significant decisions impacting the educational landscape of Evanston.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Cleveland Institute of Art Evacuated Due to Bomb Threat
East Cleveland Faces Financial Crisis Amid Receivership Proposal
Concerns Over Public School Funding in West Virginia
Kyrene School District Adjusts Closure Plan After Community Input
Evanston/Skokie District 65 Considers School Closures
Cleveland Institute of Art Evacuated Due to Bomb Threat
Cleveland Police Investigate Fatal Shooting Outside Punch Bowl Social
East Cleveland Faces Receivership Over Financial Crisis
Security Threats Lead to Cancellation of Peabody Magnet Homecoming Events
Watford City Road Disruptions for Vital Repairs
Additional Resources
- Evanston Roundtable: District 65 School Closure Recommendations
- Chicago Tribune: Evanston-Skokie District 65 Leans Toward Closing Schools
- Evanston Now: D65 Incomplete School Closing Info Leaked
- Evanston Now: D65 Sets Decision Day for School Closings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
