Evanston, IL, September 10, 2025
News Summary
The Evanston/Skokie District 65 school board held a lengthy meeting to discuss potential school closures amid significant budget deficits and declining enrollment. Board President emphasized the need for a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan as they face an estimated $200 million in deferred maintenance. Votes on school closures are expected in the fall, with community meetings scheduled to gather input. The district is currently utilizing only 65% of its capacity with concerns about declining student performance in assessments highlighting the need for new strategies.
Evanston, IL – The Evanston/Skokie District 65 school board convened for over four hours to deliberate on potential school closures as the district grapples with severe budget deficits and declining enrollment rates. During the session, Board President Sergio Hernandez highlighted the significance of formulating a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan to address the estimated $200 million in deferred maintenance on school facilities.
The board is anticipating votes concerning school closures in the fall, yet no specific schools have been pinpointed for closure at this stage. The next meeting is scheduled for September 29 at the Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center, where the board is expected to present preliminary school closure scenarios. Official votes will not take place during this meeting, which marks a shift in the schedule to encourage community feedback following family-teacher conferences.
To further involve the public, four community meetings will be organized from October 14 to October 16, providing an avenue for community members to voice their opinions regarding the potential closures. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Beardsley introduced a scoring system for evaluating schools, focusing on factors such as geography, equity, building functionality, and financial implications of the closures.
The board is contemplating scenarios that may involve the closure of two to four schools, with some possibilities still keeping zero or one closure on the table. A discussion ensued regarding whether middle or magnet schools should be considered for closures despite previous indications that middle schools would not be discussed publicly. In June 2024, the district voted to close the K-8 magnet Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies at the end of the current academic year, indicating a willingness to make difficult decisions.
Moreover, a closure scorecard for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School was agreed upon due to its RISE program, which caters to students with disabilities. District 65 is currently experiencing only 65% utilization of its available capacity, a figure that may decline to 58% when factoring in future school closures and openings.
Assessment data reveals a concerning trend in student performance; preliminary scores from the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) tests show that only 54.6% of students met language arts standards and 42.1% met math expectations. These results highlight the need for the district to transition from the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test to i-Ready for math and Renaissance STAR for literacy assessments. The board is also set to implement a new accountability framework, which will include quarterly updates and an interactive data dashboard to monitor progress towards strategic goals.
Additionally, transportation policy modifications were proposed, such as reducing the number of crossing guards and introducing fee-based busing for magnet schools. These topics, however, were not thoroughly discussed during the meeting, and votes on these policies are also scheduled for September 29. The pressing conversation about school closures and maintenance problems underscores the financial obstacles District 65 faces, having lost 20% of its student population since 2018. The board must make prudent decisions in light of the absent community trust in past budget handling and responsibilities.
Key Facts
- Board is considering closure of 2 to 4 schools.
- Community meetings scheduled for October 14-16.
- Current school capacity usage stands at 65%, projected to drop to 58%.
- District faces a $200 million maintenance backlog.
- New assessments show decreased student proficiency.
FAQs
What is the reason for potential school closures in District 65?
The potential school closures are primarily due to a significant budget deficit and a declining student enrollment rate, alongside $200 million in deferred maintenance costs on district buildings.
When will the school closure decisions be made?
Votes on school closures are expected in the fall of 2023, with preliminary scenarios being discussed at the board meeting on September 29.
How is the district planning to involve the community in these discussions?
The district is holding four community meetings from October 14 to October 16 to gather public input regarding potential school closures.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Philadelphia School Board Addresses Charter School Concerns
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Omaha Mayor Addresses Safety Concerns at Elkhorn Schools
Evanston District 65 Considers Potential School Closures
Vallejo School District Considers Closures Amid Financial Struggles
Philadelphia Takes Action on Historical Injustices
Additional Resources
- Evanston Round Table: District 65 School Closures and Deferred Maintenance
- Evanston Now: Board Leaning Towards at Least Two School Closings
- ABC 7 Chicago: District 65 Students Head Back Monday
- Chicago Tribune: Evanston Skokie D65 May Close Four Schools
- Evanston Round Table: Potential School Closures in District 65
- Google Search: Evanston school closures
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