Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Plans Major Changes Amid Financial Challenges

Interim Superintendent Eric Witherspoon of the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 addressed a crowded Board room on Oct. 13, revealing a challenging future for the district. He called attention to the ongoing deficit issue that has not yet been resolved.

Witherspoon presented a proposal aimed at financial recovery. This plan involves cutting the district’s 2028 fiscal year budget by around $20 million. Notably, it includes the closure of Lincolnwood Elementary School and Dewey Elementary School at the end of the 2026-27 academic year. Also under consideration is the termination of the School Age Child Care (SACC) program and the relinquishment of Head Start programming by July 2028.

The district’s PreSchool for All program will remain, funded by a state grant. Cutting the SACC program, which costs about $1.95 million annually and early childhood programming costing $4.9 million, will only save under $2 million due to parent fees, administrators noted.

Assistant Superintendent Stacy Beardsley mentioned that keeping the SACC program would require a 35% fee increase for students. She highlighted the rarity of districts running their own childcare programs. Additionally, the district plans to hold onto properties rather than selling them, allowing potential future construction while minimizing student impact.

Holding these properties allows future construction work at these sites to occur, while minimizing the impact on student learning.

The decision to close Lincolnwood and Dewey stems from declining enrollment patterns and significant financial needs. The Haven Middle School feeder pattern, which includes these schools, experienced a 33% enrollment decline over the past decade. Financial leaders also stated that Haven requires the highest capital expenditures among the feeder patterns.

Closing both schools would save approximately $2.9 million annually and $58 million over the next twenty years. This plan means redistricting will affect 713 students who would need to change schools, with 329 identifying as marginalized.

Administrators plan to cut over 200 staff positions but have not specified which roles. Employee salaries and benefits currently account for 75% of the budget. Financial savings will also come from reducing technology services, supplies, and outsourcing.

New transportation contracts and added student fees aim to contribute additional savings. Families not qualifying for free or reduced lunch will pay a $100 fee, with a $75 discount for early registration.

Board members acknowledged the broader impact these cuts would have on families, especially those displaced previously. Board member Andrew Wymer expressed the gravity of the changes. The scope of this is sobering, it is significant.

Maria Opdycke noted the situation is a result of past decisions and emphasized the need to avoid repeating mistakes. Parents voiced their discontent with the proposal, particularly for Dewey’s unexpected inclusion on the closure list. Sheila Murphy and Christopher Grohman, both parents, urged delaying the scheduled Nov. 9 vote for further analysis and discussion.

Following the expected November vote, the district plans a series of hearings for each proposed school closure. The dates for these December hearings depend on the vote outcome.