News Summary
The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board is contemplating closing several schools to tackle financial challenges, including declining enrollment and consecutive budget deficits. A vote on potential closures is expected this fall, with the K-8 Dr. Bessie Rhodes School confirmed for closure by 2026. Public hearings will allow community input as the board evaluates various closure criteria, aiming to reduce the budget significantly. Future meetings will engage community members before final decisions are made.
Evanston, Illinois – The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education is considering closing multiple schools as part of a strategy to address significant financial challenges, with a potential vote scheduled for this fall. This proposal comes at a time when the district is grappling with declining enrollment figures and has recorded three consecutive budget deficits, with a fourth anticipated for fiscal year 2026.
As of August 11, the district has not finalized which specific schools may be closed. However, it has confirmed the approved closure of the K-8 Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. The anticipated closures are intended to enhance the district’s financial position and to consolidate operations into more fully utilized facilities, particularly ahead of the opening of the new Foster School.
Under Illinois state law, the school board must hold three public hearings to gather community input prior to making any final decisions on school closures. The first informational meeting to discuss these potential closures is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the board room at the Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center, and will be part of a broader review of the district’s structural deficit reduction plan. At this meeting, board members may discuss potential school closure scenarios developed by committees comprised of community volunteers and district staff. While a vote on these scenarios is possible, it is not required during this meeting.
The school board has set a deadline of November to complete public hearings and reach a final decision before the winter break. Tamara Mitchell, the district’s Chief Financial Officer, has indicated that school closure options will be placed on the agenda if they have not already been addressed.
Several criteria will be evaluated as the board considers school closures, including the geographic location of schools, the equity implications for marginalized student populations, the overall functionality of school buildings, and the financial effects of potential closures. Committees focused on facilities, finance, and student programs have devoted time over the past few months to develop these criteria and have met regularly from April through June 2024.
The district is aiming to reduce its budget by $10 million to $15 million. To date, it has already implemented approximately $20 million in budget cuts through previous phases. Important factors influencing upcoming decisions include the accessibility of schools for students, consideration of equity for historically marginalized groups, the condition and repair needs of school facilities, and the overall operational functionality of the schools. These financial challenges have persisted for the district, with budgetary issues traced back as far as 2003.
Future meetings are expected to provide community members with opportunities to engage and share their feedback before any decisions on closures are finalized. The district aims to foster dialogue and inclusion throughout this challenging process.
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 CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga 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 the Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
