Dear District 65 Community -

Throughout this challenging time in District 65’s history, my north star has remained our Big Five core values: courtesy, respect, dignity, professionalism, and humanization. It is with these values in mind that I thank you for your investment in this process and take a moment to recognize that our road to financial sustainability has not been an easy one.

As part of Phase III of our Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP), this evening the administration brought forward seven school closure scenarios for consideration by the School Board. Shortly after the meeting concludes, a recording and the presentation will be posted to the SDRP website.

While extremely painful, I believe this process is a necessary step toward financial sustainability and a better educational experience for the children of District 65. Every school community is dear to my heart, and I recognize the uncertainty that comes with the thought of closing any one of them. 

School Closure Scenarios

It’s important to note that these scenarios will be refined and updated in response to Board and community feedback. No decisions have been made.

• Scenario 1A: Close Kingsley Elementary
• Close TWI Section at Willard Elementary
• Scenario 1B: Close Lincolnwood Elementary
• Move STEP to Willard Elementary
• Close TWI Section at Willard Elementary
• Scenario 2F: Close Lincolnwood and Kingsley
• Move STEP to Willard Elementary
• Close TWI Section at Willard Elementary
• Scenario 2D: Close Kingsley and Willard
• Close TWI Section at Willard Elementary
• Scenario 3D: Close Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Washington
• STEP moves to Willard Elementary
• Close TWI Section at Willard Elementary
• Dewey becomes a double strand of TWI and Lincoln adds a TWI strand
• Bilingual STEP moves to Dawes Elementary
• Scenario 3B: Close Lincolnwood, Kingsley, and Dawes
• STEP moves to Willard Elementary
• TWI moves to Lincoln Elementary
• Lincoln moves to the Chute feeder pattern
• Walker moves to the Nichols feeder pattern
• Scenario 4F: Close Lincolnwood, Kingsley, King Arts and Washington
• Close K-8 Arts magnet
• Move Lincolnwood STEP to Willard Elementary
• Move RISE (K-5) to Lincoln Elementary
• Move RISE (6-8) to Chute Middle
• Move Lincoln STEP to Dewey Elementary
• Move Bilingual STEP to Dawes Elementary

Share Your Thoughts

Now more than ever, we need to come together as a community. We hope you will share your feedback with us at our upcoming in-person engagement opportunities or through our online survey. The in-person meetings were intentionally scheduled for later in October to allow as much processing time as possible, as we know this is a considerable amount of information to digest. 

I want to emphasize again that no decisions have been made; the Board will next discuss these scenarios on October 27 at 6 p.m.

Thank you, truly, for your investment in our district’s future. These conversations are not easy, but I am hopeful that we are creating a bright future for the current and future generations of our children.

In partnership,

Dr. Angel Turner (she/her)

Superintendent

Spanish interpretation will be offered at all events. Please share these opportunities with your neighbors and Evanston/Skokie colleagues. All are welcome!

OCTOBER

14

Chute Middle School

1400 Oakton St., Evanston

6-7:30 p.m.

OCTOBER

15

Fleetwood Jourdain Community Center

1655 Foster St., Evanston

9:30-11 a.m.

OCTOBER

15

Nichols Middle School

800 Greenleaf St., Evanston

6-7:30 p.m.

OCTOBER

16

Haven Middle School

2417 Prairie Ave., Evanston

6-7:30 p.m.

Learn more on our D65 website!

Access directly from the homepage!

district65.net/sdrp