Interim Superintendent Eric Witherspoon of the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 recently addressed financial difficulties facing the district. At an October 13 meeting, Witherspoon confirmed plans to trim the district’s fiscal year 2028 budget by $20 million. This includes closing Lincolnwood Elementary and Dewey Elementary at the end of the 2026-27 academic year.
Additional proposals involve terminating the School Age Child Care program (SACC) after the current year and ceasing Head Start programs from July 2028. However, the PreSchool for All initiative will continue under state funding.
SACC costs about $1.95 million annually, with early childhood programming at $4.9 million. Parent fees offset some expenses, saving the district approximately $2 million by cutting both programs, administrators estimated.
Assistant Superintendent Stacy Beardsley mentioned SACC’s financial unsustainability. Retaining it would increase student costs by 35%. The district rarely manages its childcare programs, she noted.
Closing Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies and Kingsley Elementary saved about $3 million annually, totaling $57 million projected over 20 years. Despite these savings, further consolidations are required.
Unlike previous school closures, Lincolnwood and Dewey properties would remain with the district for potential future projects, Beardsley clarified.
“Holding these sites allows for future construction without affecting student learning,” Beardsley explained.
The decision to close Lincolnwood and Dewey stems from several factors, primarily feeder patterns. Haven Middle School’s feeder enrollment dropped by 33% over the past decade. While Lincolnwood feeds into Haven, Dewey feeds into Nichols Middle School, which also saw a 33% decrease.
Projected savings from these closures are $2.9 million per year and $58 million over two decades. The closure plan involves redistricting 713 students, including 329 marginalized students.
No specific staff cuts were mentioned. However, over 200 positions may be eliminated in a budget overhaul, pending decisions. Employee compensation and benefits constitute 75% of the district’s budget.
Cost-cutting measures include reducing technology services, supplies, and external agency use. Transport service contracts will also be rebid. Student fees are expected, with discounts for early registration.
Witherspoon highlighted the need for financial stability, offering parents the opportunity to prepare for these challenges. The Board acknowledged the severity of these measures.
Board member Andrew Wymer recognized the challenging scope of these changes.
“We face difficult choices,” Board member Maria Opdycke stated. “This situation is of our own making.”
Parents expressed dissatisfaction with Dewey’s unexpected closure, seeking more scrutiny and dialogue before the November 9 vote. Sheila Murphy, a parent, criticized the abrupt decision, previously overlooked in closure considerations.
The budget proposal awaits a district vote in November. If approved, school closure hearings will be scheduled for December.
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