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4d ago

Evanston/Skokie District 65 Deadlocks Again, Stalling Additional School Closures

A vacant board seat produced repeated 3-3 votes, pushing decisions past hearing deadlines, leaving Bessie Rhodes as the only closure likely this spring.

Parents and community members from Evanston/Skokie School District 65 reacting to the Board of Education impasse vote resulting in no school closures at the end of the school year, after four closures were initially recommended to balance the district's budget. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)
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Overview

  • Competing motions to close Kingsley only or to close both Kingsley and Lincolnwood each failed on 3-3 votes tied to a vacant seat.
  • The board also unanimously declined a scenario to close Kingsley and Willard, narrowing options for near-term savings.
  • Illinois requirements for three public hearings before winter break now make further closures this school year unlikely beyond the already approved Bessie Rhodes shutdown.
  • A special meeting on Dec. 16 is set to appoint a new member; if the vacancy from Omar Salem’s Nov. 4 resignation is not filled within 60 days, the regional superintendent must appoint within 30 days.
  • Closures are part of a Structural Deficit Reduction Plan targeting roughly $11–$15 million in cuts by FY2030, with one member warning the district could fall below 90 days of cash on hand next year without action.