Evanston/Skokie School District Faces Budget Challenges, Proposes School Closures

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is facing significant financial challenges, prompting interim Superintendent Eric Witherspoon to announce a tough proposal aimed at overcoming the deficit. During the district’s Board meeting on October 13, Witherspoon emphasized the urgency of addressing the budget issues to prevent future difficulties. The proposal includes reducing the district’s budget for the 2028 fiscal year by $20 million and closing Lincolnwood Elementary School and Dewey Elementary School by the end of the 2026-27 academic year.

In addition to school closures, District 65 leaders are considering eliminating the School Age Child Care program (SACC) due to its annual cost of roughly $1.95 million and ending Head Start programs by July 2028. Despite the cuts, the district plans to maintain the PreSchool for All program, funded by a state grant. The cuts would save approximately $2 million per year.

Financial Strategy

Assistant Superintendent Stacy Beardsley noted that maintaining the SACC program would require a 35% increase in costs for students. She highlighted that many districts do not operate their own childcare programs, making District 65’s situation unique. Closing Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies and Kingsley Elementary earlier contributed to annual savings of $3 million, but more consolidations are necessary for financial stability.

Though Lincolnwood and Dewey campuses would close, they would remain as District 65 properties and could be used for future construction projects or as temporary sites during renovations elsewhere. Beardsley emphasized that these properties could be integral to minimizing disruptions to student learning.

Feeder Patterns and Enrollment

The district leaders chose Lincolnwood and Dewey for closure based on feeder pattern data. Enrollment at Haven Middle School, into which these schools feed, has declined by 33% over the decade. Lincolnwood Elementary, among others, feeds into Haven and currently encompasses around 1,125 students. A similar decline has occurred at Nichols Middle School, fed by Dewey, with prominent shifts in demographics affecting enrollment patterns.

The redistricting would impact 713 students, including a significant number identifying as marginalized. As the district recalibrates, Beardsley noted the importance of adapting to these changes to optimize school use.

Budget and Staffing

The closure of Lincolnwood and Dewey is expected to save $2.9 million per year, and cutbacks will affect over 200 positions without highlighting specific roles. Employee compensation and benefits dominate the district’s budget, making these measures crucial. District 65 CFO Eric Miller mentioned potential extra savings through reduced spending on technology, supplies, and services, along with revised transportation contracts and increased student fees.

Community Concerns

Community members have voiced concerns about the proposed changes, citing insufficient time for analysis and debate before the scheduled November 9 vote. Parents expressed dissatisfaction with the inclusion of Dewey in the closure discussion, as it was not on the initial list of schools. Board member Andrew Wymer spoke on the gravity of these decisions, emphasizing the need for a structural solution. Other board members echoed the sentiment that accountability rests with the district and previous administrations.

Parents such as Sheila Murphy questioned the timeline leading to the closure recommendation, while Christopher Grohman advocated for delaying the vote to allow for more community discussion. The decision will guide the future of the district, with hearings on school closures commencing post-vote in December.