Evanston/Skokie Board Rejects School Closures, Revisits Options

URGENT UPDATE: The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education has just announced that Lincolnwood Elementary School will remain open for the current school year, following a unanimous decision during a special meeting on November 20. However, the Board is set to reconsider other school closures as it grapples with a significant budget shortfall.

With only a limited number of days left to finalize decisions on potential school closures, the Board committed to revisiting the proposals at its next meeting scheduled for December 1. This decision comes after a tie vote on November 17, which left the future of both Lincolnwood and Kingsley Elementary Schools in limbo.

The Board’s recent actions come amid mounting pressure to address a structural deficit that has raised concerns about the district’s financial viability. Superintendent Angel Turner highlighted the urgency of the situation, warning that any further delays could prevent the district from making needed school closures for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. Turner stated, “The consequences are not abstract… If the Board reaches the point of state intervention, the impacts will be devastating and immediate.”

At the heart of the debate are the implications of school closures for students and staff. Board President Patricia Anderson expressed her reluctance to close any schools, emphasizing the need for financial stewardship. “I don’t want to close any schools,” she said, referencing her firsthand experience with school closures.

As part of the decision-making process, Illinois law mandates that the district conduct at least three public hearings for each school proposed for closure. This requirement will create a narrow window between the upcoming December 1 vote and a binding decision on December 19.

Concerns have been voiced by district principals, who conveyed their “deep disappointment and growing concern” regarding the Board’s indecision. Their letter, which was read by Turner, underscored the potential instability such uncertainty creates for students and staff. “We must express that the Board’s ongoing inability to reach a decision… is actively undermining the stability of our schools,” the letter stated.

The Board’s meeting on December 1 will take place before the appointment of a new member to replace former Board member Omar Salem, who left prior to any decisions being made. This appointment is expected to occur in a special meeting on December 16.

The fiscal crisis facing District 65 has already led to significant cuts, including layoffs and the closure of the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies. In 2023, a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan was initiated to address the budget issues, but uncertainty remains about the future stability of the remaining schools.

As the Board prepares for the critical meeting in December, community members and stakeholders are urged to stay informed and engaged. The implications of these decisions extend far beyond the classroom, impacting families and the educational landscape in Evanston and Skokie.

Stay tuned for updates as these urgent discussions unfold. The future of the district’s schools hangs in the balance, with community input and Board decisions shaping the path ahead.