News Summary
The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 has addressed concerns regarding a leaked presentation suggesting potential school closures. The finance committee, which includes community members, parents, and district employees, is working on a plan to address a structural deficit. Although multiple scenarios for school closures are being reviewed, officials emphasized that these are preliminary suggestions and not final decisions. Community engagement will be prioritized as discussions progress, with a review set for late September, allowing the public to weigh in during hearings.
Evanston, IL – The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 has issued a statement concerning a leaked presentation that outlined potential scenarios for school closures. The document, which surfaced recently, originated from the finance committee that is working on the district’s Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP). District officials clarified that the materials reflect a temporary snapshot and do not encompass the complete range of considerations regarding school closures.
The finance committee, consisting of community members, parents, and district employees, is essential to guiding decisions regarding the district’s financial future. One slide from the leaked presentation suggested possible combinations for the closure of two schools located in the North side of the district. However, these suggestions are not final proposals for the school board’s review.
The Evanston/Skokie School Board is scheduled to review official school closure scenarios on September 29, with recommendations anticipated by mid-November. It is notable that the board has requested the district to model scenarios that involve the closure of two to four schools, although it has not dismissed the possibility of having fewer closures.
Despite the upcoming discussion, it is important to note that no final decisions regarding school closures will be made during the September meeting. The board will conduct multiple public hearings for each school that may be affected by the proposed closures, allowing opportunities for community input and dialogue.
Superintendent Angel Turner pointed out the potential for the sharing of these draft materials to have been inadvertent. She reinforced the district’s dedication to engaging the community throughout this process. The district is encouraging parents and community members to participate actively in the official presentation of scenarios on September 29.
The discussion of possible school closures is occurring against the backdrop of a budget deficit and a decline in student enrollment within the district. To tackle these financial challenges, the district is looking at various initiatives aimed at reducing expenditures. This includes recommendations developed from committee reviews, as well as feedback garnered from community input sessions.
In making decisions about school closures, the district intends to consider criteria such as geographic distribution, equity, the cost of maintaining buildings, their functionality, and the income levels of families served by the schools. These criteria will assist in ensuring that the final choices align with the core mission of the district.
This effort to achieve financial sustainability has been a pressing concern since 2003. The district is actively pursuing budget cuts that may include school closures, continually emphasizing the importance of financial viability moving forward. As the September 29 meeting approaches, community stakeholders are expected to remain engaged and participate in an ongoing dialogue about the future of education in Evanston/Skokie schools.
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Additional Resources
- Evanston RoundTable: District 65 on Leaked School Closure Data
- Wikipedia: Evanston, Illinois
- Evanston Now: D65 Incomplete School Closing Info Leaked
- Google Search: Evanston School District 65
- ABC7 Chicago: Evanston Skokie School District 65 Students Head Back Monday
- Google Scholar: Evanston School District closures
- Evanston RoundTable: Guest Essay on District 65 School Closures
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School
- Chicago Tribune: Evanston Skokie D65 May Close Four Schools
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