Evanston School District Faces Potential Closures Amid Financial Struggles

News Summary

Evanston’s District 65 is experiencing budget deficits and declining enrollment, leading to discussions about potential school closures. The school board plans to vote on closures after community feedback sessions. Currently, the district has announced the closure of the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School. Challenges include long-standing budgetary issues and the need for building repairs. The criteria for closure decisions will consider factors such as equity and student accessibility.

Evanston, Illinois – District 65 is confronting a challenging financial situation as it grapples with declining student enrollment and consecutive years of budget deficits. A potential vote by the school board this fall could lead to the closure of one or more schools, a controversial move being considered as a means to improve the district’s financial standing and consolidate underused facilities.

The district has already announced the closure of the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, which will take effect after the 2025-2026 school year. As part of this ongoing strategy, the school board is expected to receive an update on its structural deficit reduction plan during a meeting scheduled for Monday. The objective is to cut between $10 million and $15 million from the budget to stabilize finances, in addition to previous budget cuts already implemented.

Before any final decisions on further school closures are made, three public hearings will be conducted to gather community feedback, as required by state law. These community meetings are set for September and November, allowing residents ample opportunity to voice their opinions before a final vote takes place.

The criteria for determining which schools may be at risk of closure will be multifaceted. Key factors include equity, geography, building functionality, and potential revenue from the sale of facility assets. In evaluating geographic concerns, the district emphasizes the importance of student walkability, with a maximum distance of 0.75 miles to school being the highest weighted criterion. Equity considerations also aim to ensure that marginalized groups, including Black students and English language learners, are not disproportionately impacted by any potential closures.

According to district information, the average age of District 65 schools is 79 years. Many of these buildings are in need of repairs and have accessibility issues, which further complicates the decision-making process concerning closures. The Facilities Subcommittee has actively visited all schools within District 65 to inform the decision-making process for potential closures.

The financial sustainability of District 65 has been a growing concern, with budgetary issues stretching back to 2003. Addressing these long-standing financial struggles is essential for the district to ensure a robust educational environment for its students.

As the district moves forward in its efforts to address financial deficits and declining enrollment, any school closures are projected to take effect by July 1, 2026, aligning with the anticipated opening of the new Foster School.

In light of the challenges facing District 65, the upcoming school board discussions, community feedback sessions, and strategic financial planning will be critical to shaping the future of education in the district for years to come.

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Additional Resources

• Evanston Roundtable: Potential School Closures in District 65
• Wikipedia: Evanston, Illinois
• Chicago Tribune: Closure of Four Schools in District 65
• Google Search: District 65 Evanston School Closures
• Evanston Now: D65 Seeking Public Input on School Closings
• Encyclopedia Britannica: District 65 Evanston
• Daily Northwestern: D65 School Consolidation Criteria
• Google News: District 65 Evanston