Parents in Evanston/Skokie School District 65 say they feel a growing sense of fear and resignation over the district’s dire financial situation after officials announced plans this week to cut $20 million from the budget and close at least two of 16 schools.
For years, the district has had a structural deficit, with expenses outpacing revenue. Officials said the district is also dealing with declining enrollment, lost revenue and rising costs — all of which have contributed to ongoing financial challenges.
The announcement comes after last year’s prolonged debate over school closures that ultimately led to the closure of Kingsley Elementary School and a $6 million cut in operational expenses. In 2024, the school board voted to close the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, which shuttered in June.
Last year, parents and community members expressed outrage over the proposed cuts and pushed the school board to scale them back. Their efforts helped prevent Lincolnwood Elementary from closing. Now, they find themselves back in a similar situation.
“I think parents are worn out from last year’s fight, and perhaps there’s not so much fight left,” said parent Erika Crowther “They feel a little bit resigned to the decision that’s going to be made, and I think that folks are a bit burned out.”
At a school board meeting Monday, interim Supt. Eric Witherspoon said incremental cuts won’t fix the problem and it’s time to “break the cycle” of deficits.
“We can end this annual crisis situation, and we can actually have real stability, and more future planning in this district,” Witherspoon said.
Officials said the district serves about 5,900 students, a 16% decline in enrollment over the last five years. The district is at about 66% capacity, meaning there is room for around 3,000 more students. But officials say staffing levels have not declined at the same pace.
To close the budget gap, officials plan to cut $20 million from the district’s budget — about 11% — and close more schools by the 2028 school year. The plan includes examining “non-mandated” programs, adjusting staffing ratios and pay, and pursuing more revenue sources.
Witherspoon said the district will release details Oct. 13 on how it plans to make those cuts.
Many of the district’s current challenges were expected, but parents say a lack of community trust made it difficult for district officials to address them.
“Hope is not a strategy, and that sort of feels like what we’ve been trying to do,” said Kelly Farley, a parent and member of the district’s finance committee. “Now we’re all paying for it, and it’s going to really affect our students.”
Parents and community members are also concerned that school closures and programming cuts could disproportionately affect families in marginalized communities or students enrolled in specialized programs.
“I think that the administration has used equity as an argument when it benefits them, and then they tend to ignore it when it’s not convenient,” said Crowther.
District 65 did not respond to an email seeking comment.
But some parents say they hope the changes will lead to a more stable future and positive outcomes for all students.
“I really hope that we as a community can align and come to agreement on the reality of what our situation is,” said Farley, who is also a member of the community coalition Thrive65. “Then come together and support each other, and figure out how to move forward in a way that doesn’t pit schools against each other. Instead, we think about it holistically and about what we can do to make this district amazing.”
Farley and others are working to keep families informed about how the proposed changes could affect their children.
Thrive65 is holding an informational meeting Sunday to explain the announcement and share opportunities for parents and community members to get involved.
The district is also hosting community meetings next week to explain the decision to families, staff and residents.