Evanston, September 23, 2025
News Summary
The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is evaluating potential closures of up to four schools as part of a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan due to financial challenges and declining enrollment. With budget cuts of $10 million to $15 million required by 2027, the district also faces nearly $188 million in necessary building repairs. Community involvement will be sought through public input sessions as the board outlines closure scenarios at an upcoming meeting. The situation is compounded by a recent announcement of the planned closure of the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School due to similar concerns.
Evanston
The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is considering the closure of up to four schools as part of a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP) aimed at addressing significant financial challenges and declining student enrollment. The board is required to cut between $10 million to $15 million from its budget by the fiscal year 2027, prompting the need for drastic measures in the educational landscape.
As the district prepares for potential closures, a new Foster School is set to open in the Fifth Ward. However, the looming question remains around which existing schools might be shuttered. There is currently a pressing issue of declining enrollment, which has left many elementary schools operating at less than 60% capacity. In addition, the district faces nearly $188 million in repair and deferred maintenance needs across its facilities.
The school board President Sergio Hernandez and Vice President Nichole Pinkard have communicated with the community regarding the difficult decisions on school closures. The district has organized three budget reduction committees that include parents, caregivers, community members, and district staff to provide insights during the SDRP process.
The board will present various closure scenarios at a meeting scheduled for September 29. No final decisions on school closures will be made during this meeting, and any implementation of the scenarios will not occur until late October at the earliest. To ensure community involvement, four public input sessions and an online survey will be available in mid-October to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders.
Evaluations for school closures will focus on five main criteria: geography, equity, building cost, building functionality, and building income. Geography will carry the most weight in assessments, considering factors like walkability, safe routes to school, transportation needs, and proximity to other educational facilities. The equity category will analyze the demographic impact of closures on different student groups.
Average age of the district’s schools is 80 years old, raising concerns about their current state. In determining building costs, operational expenses and necessary renovations for each school will be evaluated. Building functionality will inspect accessibility and potential revenue-generating opportunities for the properties.
Scorecards evaluating each school based on these criteria will be presented during the upcoming board meeting. Final voting on closure decisions cannot take place until multiple hearings conclude, possibly extending into November. The board is committed to a transparent process, with previous closure proposals leaked for review being considered preliminary and subject to modification based on community input.
In addition to the potential school closures, the district has already announced that the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies will close at the end of the current school year, also due to budget issues and declining enrollment. Emotional responses from students and parents regarding this closure were evident during the school year’s opening day.
The district has recently implemented a new cellphone policy aimed at reducing distractions, requiring students to store their phones during school hours unless there is a documented medical need. This move comes amidst a 20% decrease in enrollment since 2018, further complicating the district’s financial health as current school facilities are running at around 65% capacity.
The board meeting on September 29 will serve as a significant milestone in determining the future of several schools within the Evanston/Skokie area, as district leaders continue to navigate their financial challenges while attempting to engage the community in this critical decision-making process.
FAQ
Why is the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 considering school closures?
The district is facing significant financial constraints and declining enrollment, requiring budget cuts between $10 million to $15 million by the fiscal year 2027.
When will decisions about school closures be made?
Scenarios for potential school closures will be discussed in a board meeting on September 29, but final decisions will not occur until multiple hearings are completed, possibly extending into November.
What has caused the declining enrollment in the district?
The district has experienced about a 20% decrease in enrollment since 2018, impacting financial health and leading to underutilized school facilities.
What role is the community playing in the decision-making process?
The district has created budget reduction committees and is scheduling public input sessions and surveys to gather community feedback regarding potential school closures.
Key Features of the Situation
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Budget Cuts Needed | $10 million to $15 million by 2027 |
| School Capacity | Elementary schools operating at below 60% |
| Building Repair Needs | Approximately $188 million |
| Community Involvement | Public input sessions and budget reduction committees |
| Closure Scenarios Discussion Date | September 29 |
| Decision-Making Timeline | Final decisions may not occur until November |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Philadelphia School Board Addresses Charter School Concerns
Montpelier Advocates for Community Involvement in School Closures
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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