Evanston/Skokie School District 65 has concluded a series of four public meetings regarding potential school closures, facing a wave of difficult questions from community members. The final session, held at Haven Middle School, saw residents and parents challenge administrators on the district's budget crisis, the management of school buildings, and the impact of the process on Evanston's Hispanic families.
Key Takeaways
- District 65 held four community meetings to gather feedback on proposed school closure scenarios aimed at addressing a budget deficit.
- Parents and residents raised significant concerns about the impact on the Hispanic community, citing recent immigration enforcement activity in the area.
- Questions were asked about the use of funds from a 2017 referendum, the decision to open Foster School, and the future of closed school buildings.
- Community opinions are divided, with some parents prioritizing smaller class sizes and school programs over keeping all buildings open, while others called for a new referendum.
- The district's Board of Education is scheduled to continue discussions on October 27, and a public feedback survey remains open.
Community Meetings Conclude Amid Tense Discussions
District 65 officials wrapped up a week of community engagement sessions designed to address a growing budget deficit through potential school closures. Meetings at Haven and Nichols Middle Schools were marked by pointed questions from the public.
Stacy Beardsley, the district's assistant superintendent, acknowledged the challenging situation. She urged attendees to maintain a respectful dialogue, reminding them that they are "one community that is in a very difficult place." Beardsley asked the audience to avoid personal attacks and pitting schools against one another.
While these four meetings represent the last of the scheduled official feedback sessions, the district has stated that its online survey for public input will remain active. The administration also plans to present the closure scenarios to a bilingual caregiver advisory group in an upcoming Zoom meeting.
Impact on Hispanic Community a Major Concern
A significant portion of the public commentary focused on the district's Hispanic population. Attendees at the Wednesday and Thursday meetings expressed alarm over the recent presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Evanston.
Concerns were raised that fear within the community could prevent Hispanic families from participating fully in the school closure discussions. One speaker at the Haven meeting went so far as to demand the district halt all closure talks to focus on protecting vulnerable families.
Background: Immigration Enforcement Activity
According to reports from Mayor Daniel Biss and social media posts, federal immigration enforcement agents detained a third Evanston resident this month near Dodge Avenue and Oakton Street. This activity has heightened anxiety among immigrant communities in the area.
"I know that is something that has come up during board meetings. I know it is something that we as administrators are aware of," Beardsley responded. She noted that the board faces a complex decision and must weigh many different factors.
Beardsley highlighted the upcoming presentation to the bilingual parent advisory group as an additional step to ensure Hispanic voices are heard in the process.
Questions Persist Over Finances and Facilities
The district's financial decisions and management of its physical assets were also heavily scrutinized. Several attendees questioned the logic of opening Foster School amidst a budget crisis that necessitates closing others.
The 2017 Referendum
At the Haven meeting, one individual asked what happened to the money from the 2017 referendum, a question that drew applause from the crowd. The referendum provided District 65 with $14.5 million in its first year to help balance its budget.
"When the referendum was passed in 2017, all of the projections showed that that money would give the district through the end of this past fiscal year, FY 25. It was never meant to be a permanent fix," explained Tamara Mitchell, the district's chief financial officer.
Future of School Buildings
Community members also demanded clarity on the fate of buildings that might be closed. They asked about the costs associated with maintaining empty buildings and called for savings estimates to be recalculated without assuming the properties would be sold.
Officials clarified that current savings projections are based solely on ceasing operations and do not factor in potential revenue from selling the buildings. Beardsley reiterated that the school board will ultimately decide what happens to any closed facility. The district did not provide specific figures on the cost of maintaining unused school buildings.
Divergent Parent Perspectives Emerge
The meetings revealed a wide range of opinions among parents about the best path forward. Not everyone was opposed to the idea of school closures if it meant preserving educational quality.
One parent at the Haven meeting stated she feared losing essential staff more than changing schools. "I would rather have my kids go to a different school than no longer have social workers, art teachers and nurses," she said.
A Comparative View
A parent who recently moved from Pasadena, California, offered a different perspective. She noted that Evanston, with a population of about 76,000, has ten K-5 schools. In contrast, Pasadena, with a population of 140,000, has fourteen schools. "It is really a luxury to have so many schools," she said, a comment that was met with some boos from the audience.
Superintendent Angel Turner addressed questions about alternatives to closures. She stated that the district has already cut approximately 100 administrative positions over the last two years. According to Turner, without another referendum, there are no other viable options to close the budget gap. At the mention of a referendum, some members of the crowd responded with applause and shouts of "Yes!"
Next Steps for the District
District 65 plans to continue gathering information and feedback before any final decisions are made. The Board of Education is set to meet again on October 27 to further discuss the closure scenarios.
Officials have also committed to updating the district's website with a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page to address common inquiries from the meetings. Beardsley mentioned that data for a third potential closure scenario is expected to be released by the end of the week.