The Evanston-Skokie District 65 school board has once again reached a stalemate on a proposal to close additional elementary schools, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over the community. A tie vote on Monday night means that for now, Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies is the only school slated for closure next spring as the district grapples with a significant budget deficit.
The repeated deadlock stalls a key component of the district's plan to address a multimillion-dollar funding gap. Families and staff at Kingsley and Lincolnwood elementary schools, which were central to the competing closure proposals, remain in limbo while the board is unable to form a consensus.
Key Takeaways
- The District 65 school board failed to pass proposals to close either Kingsley Elementary or both Kingsley and Lincolnwood elementary schools due to repeated tie votes.
- As a result, Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies is currently the only school confirmed to be closing at the end of the school year.
- The proposed closures are part of a larger plan to cut between $11 million and $15 million from the district's budget by 2030.
- Community members have expressed significant frustration over the prolonged uncertainty and its impact on children's well-being.
Board Fails to Reach Consensus
During a tense meeting on Monday, board members were presented with two primary scenarios for further school closures. One plan proposed shuttering only Kingsley Elementary School. A second, more aggressive plan, called for closing both Kingsley and Lincolnwood elementary schools.
Both motions failed to secure a majority, ending in a deadlock. This outcome mirrors a similar vote last month, indicating a deep division among board members on how to proceed with the district's cost-cutting measures. A third proposal, which would have closed both Kingsley and Willard elementary schools, was unanimously rejected by the board and did not advance to a final vote.
The inability to make a decision has significant procedural consequences. Under Illinois law, the district must conduct three public hearings for each school targeted for closure before the winter break begins on December 19. With that deadline rapidly approaching, the repeated tie votes make it increasingly unlikely that any additional schools will be closed in the upcoming school year.
By the Numbers: The Financial Challenge
- Projected Deficit: Approximately $11 million to $15 million.
- Target Year for Cuts: Fiscal Year 2030.
- Schools in Limbo: Kingsley and Lincolnwood Elementary.
- Confirmed Closure: Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies.
Community Voices Concerns Over Instability
The ongoing indecision has left parents, students, and staff in a state of prolonged anxiety. Community members who attended the meeting voiced their frustration, arguing that the board's focus on fiscal management was overlooking the human cost of the debate.
Dr. David Hauser, a psychologist and a parent of two children in the district, delivered a powerful statement urging the board to consider the emotional toll on students. He highlighted the instability children have faced since 2016, a period that encompasses their entire lives.
"The last thing these kids need is more volatility, disruption, and chaos. We are talking about school closures as if we are corporate consultants. Real vibes of move fast and break things, it'll all be fine, completely separating it from the actual lived experience of this current K-5 group."
Hauser's comments reflect a broader sentiment among parents who feel the district's process has created an environment of fear and uncertainty. The debate is no longer just about balancing budgets; it's about the stability and mental health of the children the district serves.
Understanding the Structural Deficit Reduction Plan
The proposed school closures are a central element of District 65's Structural Deficit Reduction Plan. This long-term strategy aims to realign the district's expenses with its revenues to ensure financial stability. Facing a projected shortfall of up to $15 million by 2030, administrators have identified consolidating schools as a primary way to reduce operational costs, including building maintenance, utilities, and staffing.
What Happens Next?
With the board deadlocked, the path forward is unclear. The failure to act on the Kingsley and Lincolnwood proposals means the district's administration will need to find other ways to achieve its budget reduction goals. The closure of Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies will proceed, but this single action is not enough to resolve the larger financial crisis.
The board's inability to form a majority suggests that any future proposal involving school closures will face intense scrutiny and potential opposition. This leaves the district in a difficult position, as it must still confront the fiscal reality of its structural deficit.
For now, the community is left to grapple with the consequences. The board's indecision has not resolved the problem but has instead postponed a difficult choice, ensuring that the debate over the future of Evanston's elementary schools will continue into the new year, leaving families to wonder what the next proposal might bring.
