Evanston-Skokie School District 65 make final recommendation to close 2 schools

After weeks of preparing the community for school closures, Evanston-Skokie School District 65 made the recommendation Tuesday to shut down two more schools.

But the closures are just the start of cuts for staff and students.

District leaders held several meetings last month updating the community about a $5 million deficit, which they felt was only going to get worse because of declining enrollment and aging buildings.

They told parents and staff members weeks ago that schools would need to close, but did not announce which schools would be impacted until a school board meeting Tuesday night, during which teachers and staff members sat anxiously as they waited to find out.

The announcement ultimately came that Lincolnwood Elementary School, at 2600 Colfax St. in Evanston, and Dewey Elementary School, at 1551 Wesley Ave. in Evanston, were chosen to shut down. Leaders say enrollment was down 33% at both.

The move would force 713 students to change schools district-wide. 

At Dewey, parents and even the principal were caught off guard by the proposal to close their building by the end of the school year. They knew the district was looking to shutter schools to save money, but did not expect theirs to be on the chopping block.

"We recognize that this recommendation may come as more of a surprise to the Dewey community, as Dewey was not as prominently represented in last year's school closure discussions," Evanston-Skokie School District 65 Interim Supt. Eric Witherspoon wrote in an email.

This is the second consecutive year that District 65 has announced closures, 

The district does not plan to sell the properties. Instead, leaders say they could be renovated in the future once the sinking ship is righted.

Dewey Elementary School principal Anna Marie Newsome wasted no time sending an email home letting parents know that she is not fully sure of the next steps for their children's transition. She called the decision to close Dewey "unexpected" and "difficult news."

The grandmother of a Dewey second grader said she wasn't sure when she would break the news to her grandson that his school is closing.

"Little by little, we'll try to explain it, and hopefully, it doesn't happen," said Edilma Gillett, "because he loves his school and he loves his teacher."

Gillett said she is still confused why Dewey is even on the list.

"I can't figure out what are the reasons for closing Dewey," she said. "Seems like attendance is high. Morale is good. We have good teachers."

Evanston dad Ned Bothfeld was disappointed in the district's choice to close schools for the second year in a row.

"Overall, I think it's a huge embarrassment to the community," Bothfeld said. "It's really a shame."

Bothfeld added that his embarrassment started with District 65's former superintendent, Devon Horton, who left to lead a school district in Georgia.

Earlier this month, Horton pleaded guilty to wire fraud, embezzlement, and tax charges stemming from his time at District 65.  

On Wednesday, two former vendors for District 65 admitted to receiving kickbacks from Horton.

Meanwhile, the cuts at Evanston-Skokie School District 65 run deeper than just school doors now.

"They're looking at numbers," said Natalie Copper, president of Evanston Child Care Professionals. "We're looking at hearts." 

Copper works with a school-age child care program that provides on-site before- and after-school care for kindergarten through 5th graders. It too is getting cut, eliminating more than 30 positions.

"Even though it's not mandated, grocery stores aren't mandated, but we need them," she said. "So we need school-age child care for families as well."

District leaders say cuts to child care in addition to early start will net $1.2 million in savings, but Copper says it's bigger than dollars.

"They're forgetting that they work for families," she said. "They work for children and the fact parents pay to have a child in the school age program should say something."

The district is also going as far as to eliminate all transportation for pre-K. It estimates the savings at $700,000.

With the school closures and additional cuts, leaders say they will save $2.9 million annually and $58 million over 20 years.

"They need to do a better job at managing," Copper said.

The board will vote on a final decision on the cuts on Monday, Nov. 9.