News Summary
School District 65 in Evanston and Skokie is contemplating the closure of up to four elementary schools due to financial struggles and a sharp decline in student enrollment. The district is facing a budget shortfall that requires significant expenditure cuts over the next three years. As part of their Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP), the district will present closure scenarios at an upcoming school board meeting. Community engagement will play a key role in decision-making regarding these potential closures.
Evanston and Skokie,” School District 65 Faces Potential Closure of Up to Four Schools Amid Financial Struggles
Evanston and Skokie, IL — School District 65 is currently exploring significant cost-cutting measures that could result in the closure of as many as four elementary schools by the 2026-2027 school year. This move is part of a broader Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP) aimed at addressing the district’s ongoing financial challenges.
Financial Challenges and Enrollment Decline
The district faces a substantial budget shortfall, needing to reduce expenditures by between $10 million to $15 million within the next three years. A primary factor contributing to this financial strain is a notable decline in student enrollment, which has decreased by approximately 20% since 2018. Currently, district buildings operate at less than 60% capacity, impacting overall financial health.
Adding to the financial concern is the state of the district’s infrastructure. Nearly $188 million is required for repairs and deferred maintenance of existing school buildings, many of which are, on average, around 80 years old. The aging infrastructure exacerbates operational costs and hampers facility functionality.
Impending School Closures and New School Openings
As part of the SDRP, scenarios for closing up to four schools will be presented to the school board at a meeting scheduled for September 29. These scenarios are preliminary, and no final decisions are planned during this meeting. Final closure determinations are expected to occur by late October, following multiple hearings and community input processes.
In conjunction with potential closures, a new Foster School in the Fifth Ward is slated to open around the same time. This new facility aims to serve the community’s students and might be part of the district’s strategy to consolidate resources and improve educational opportunities.
Community Engagement and Evaluation Process
Community feedback will be integral to the decision-making process. The district has organized three budget reduction committees, involving parents, caregivers, community members, and district staff, to help assess various options. Additionally, four public input sessions and an online survey are scheduled for mid-October, providing opportunities for community members to share their opinions.
The district’s evaluation of potential closures will consider five broad categories: geography, equity, building cost, building functionality, and building income. The category with the highest weight is geography and will analyze factors such as walkability, safe routes, transportation needs, and proximity to other schools.
Other criteria include equity considerations, which assess how closures might impact different student populations; building cost, which looks at operational expenses and necessary renovations; and building functionality, which evaluates accessibility and potential revenue opportunities for the school properties.
Impact on Schools and Community
One school, Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, is set to close at the end of this school year due to budget issues and declining enrollment. The closure has elicited emotional responses from students and parents on the first day of school, underscoring the community’s concern about the change.
Financial Outlook and Additional Measures
Despite the looming threat of closures, district officials report a decrease in the current fiscal year’s deficit estimates, suggesting some improvement in financial positioning. Nonetheless, ongoing financial challenges remain, prompting continued exploration of cost reductions and efficiency improvements.
Policy Changes and Future Planning
In addition to fiscal measures, the district has introduced a new cellphone policy aimed at minimizing distractions during school hours. Students are now required to store their phones during the day unless they have a documented medical need, reflecting efforts to enhance focus and safety.
Next Steps
The school board’s upcoming September 29 meeting will detail various closure scenarios and present scorecards for each school based on evaluation metrics. Final votes on closures cannot occur until after a series of hearings, which are expected to extend into November. The district emphasizes that community feedback will continue to shape the final decision-making process, ensuring transparency and inclusivity.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Weighs Potential 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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