News Summary
The Evanston-Skokie District 65 School Board is experiencing significant backlash from the community regarding proposals to close several schools in light of a financial crisis and declining student enrollment. Parents voiced their concerns during a heated meeting, emphasizing the potential negative impact on specialized programs for vulnerable student populations. As the district grapples with a budget shortfall of up to $15 million, leaders are seeking collaboration with the community to find viable solutions amidst a backdrop of past financial misconduct and leadership changes.
Evanston — The Evanston-Skokie District 65 School Board is facing significant community pushback over its proposals to close several schools in response to a serious financial crisis and declining student enrollment. During an emotional meeting held at Dawes Elementary on Tuesday, parents and community members gathered to voice their concerns and frustrations regarding the potential school closures.
District leaders disclosed that they need to cut between $10 million and $15 million from their budget to achieve fiscal balance by the 2027 fiscal year. This urgency comes amidst years of financial deficits compounded by the district’s extensive needs for building repairs, which are estimated to require hundreds of millions of dollars.
Several schools under consideration for closure include King Arts, Kingsley Elementary, Lincolnwood Elementary, Washington, and Dawes. The primary reason cited for these closures is low enrollment figures. In recent years, the enrollment within the district has plummeted by nearly 20%, dropping from 7,496 to 6,019 students. At the same time, the number of administrators has seen an increase, prompting criticism regarding the management of district expenses.
The meeting was particularly charged following the recent indictment of former Superintendent Devon Horton on charges of embezzling funds in a kickback scheme, which has only added to the district’s financial woes. This development has raised concerns among parents about the overall fiscal responsibility of the school board.
In response to community tensions, newly elected School Board President Pat Anderson shared her personal connection to the district, having children and a granddaughter who attended local schools. She acknowledged the difficult decisions ahead and emphasized the importance of collaboration with the community to address financial challenges.
School Board Member Nichole Pickard noted that finding a universally accepted solution would be challenging, but underscored the need to devise a plan for the district’s future. Additionally, a new committee has been established to provide guidance on financial gaps and assess the potential impacts of proposed school closures.
Parents expressed significant concern over how school closures might adversely impact specialized programming for vulnerable student populations, including those in the RISE and STEP programs. The community’s worry is further amplified by memories of the previous closure of Bessie Rhodes Elementary and staff reductions in recent years, indicating a trend that some fear could continue.
The meeting lasted over three hours, providing ample opportunity for parents to express their opinions and concerns regarding the district’s financial situation and future direction. Community members are encouraged to participate in upcoming feedback sessions scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, allowing them to share their thoughts on the proposed school closures.
Before the meeting, a petition demanding the resignation of then-School Board President Sergio Hernandez garnered 329 signatures, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the board’s handling of the district’s financial issues. Hernandez ultimately resigned during the same meeting, amid community pressure and in light of the fallout from Horton’s misconduct.
As the school board prepares to announce decisions regarding the potential school closures by the end of the year, the urgency of finding a viable path forward for Evanston-Skokie District 65 has never been clearer. Anderson emphasized her commitment to collaborating with the board and the community to navigate the numerous challenges at hand, seeking to stabilize and enhance the quality of education within the district.
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Additional Resources
- ABC 7 Chicago
- Wikipedia: Evanston, Illinois
- NBC Chicago
- Google Search: Evanston Skokie District 65
- Evanston RoundTable
- Google Scholar: Evanston school closures
- Daily Northwestern
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Evanston school district
- Evanston Now
- Google News: Evanston school closure news
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