News Summary
Evanston-Skokie School District 65 is facing severe financial challenges that may lead to the closure of up to four elementary schools. With a projected budget deficit of $10 to $15 million by 2027 and a 20% decline in student enrollment since 2018, the district is implementing a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan. As part of community engagement, upcoming meetings will discuss potential school scenarios, with decisions expected by late October. The aging infrastructure and increasing operational costs further complicate the district’s financial future.
Evanston, Illinois — Evanston-Skokie School District 65 is facing significant financial challenges that may lead to the closure of up to four elementary school buildings by the 2026-2027 school year, as part of a comprehensive effort to address a mounting deficit.
Financial Struggles and Enrollment Decline
The district is currently implementing a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP) aimed at narrowing a budget gap expected to be between $10 million to $15 million by the fiscal year 2027. A key factor contributing to these financial issues is a 20% decrease in student enrollment since 2018, which has resulted in below 60% utilization of elementary school capacities and diminished income from district property taxes and enrollment-based funding.
Additionally, the district’s aging infrastructure compounds its financial burden. The district’s school buildings are on average around 80 years old and require approximately $188 million in repairs and deferred maintenance to bring them up to standard, further straining resources.
Upcoming Decisions and Community Involvement
The district’s school board, led by President Sergio Hernandez and Vice President Nichole Pinkard, has been transparent about the complexity of these decisions. They have formed three committees focusing on finance, facilities, and programs that include parents, community members, and staff to gather input during the SDRP process.
A school board meeting scheduled for September 29 will present scenarios for potential school closures to the board. These initial plans are not final but will serve as a basis for further discussion. The district emphasizes that no final closure decisions will be made until late October at the earliest, after multiple hearings and community feedback sessions.
Public engagement efforts will include four public input sessions and an online survey in mid-October. The goal is to inform decision-making with community feedback before any votes are held. Once evaluated, schools will be scored based on five main categories: geography, equity, building cost, building functionality, and building income.
Evaluation Criteria and Potential Impact
The geography category, considered the most important, assesses factors such as walkability, safe routes to school, transportation needs, and proximity to other schools. The equity assessment will analyze student impact and demographic considerations, focusing on how closures may affect various communities within the district.
In addition, the building cost category will examine operational expenses and renovation needs, while the building functionality will consider factors like accessibility and potential revenue opportunities from the property. Each school will receive a scorecard based on these criteria, which will be shared during the September 29 meeting.
Potential School Closures and District Responses
While no final votes can be cast until after the evaluation process and hearings, scenarios involving the closure of two to four schools are under review. A leaked presentation slide from the finance committee has revealed preliminary scenarios, but these are not definitive and are still subject to community input.
The district also announced the closure of Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies at the end of this academic year due to ongoing financial hardships and low enrollment, which has deeply affected students, parents, and staff.
Additional Measures and Future Outlook
To adapt to changing student needs, the district has implemented a new cellphone policy. Students are now required to store phones during school hours unless they have a documented medical need, aiming to reduce distractions and improve focus.
Despite current financial challenges, district leaders report a decrease in deficit estimates for the current fiscal year. However, the district continues to grapple with projected costs associated with aging infrastructure, declining enrollment, and operational expenses.
The upcoming September 29 school board meeting will provide further details on the potential closing scenarios, with final decisions expected to be made after extensive hearings and community consultations, likely extending into November. The district emphasizes that community engagement will play a critical role in shaping the future of its school facilities and budget management.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
School District 65 Clarifies Plans Amid Closure Concerns
Economic Costs of School Closures During COVID-19 Analyzed
Hudson School District Considers Closing Two Elementary Schools
Decline in Student Performance Reported by NAEP
Evanston School Board Discusses Financial Challenges and Closures
Vermont City Engages Community in School Closure Planning
Philadelphia School Board Addresses SEPTA Cuts and Charter Closures
District 65 Evaluates School Closures Due to Financial Issues
Vallejo School District Faces Potential Closures Due to Budget Deficits
Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Considers 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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