Evanston District 65 committee evaluates school closures and facility plans

The Evanston Community Consolidated School District 65 (CCSD 65) held a significant meeting on June 23, 2025, focusing on the district's declining enrollment and the future of its facilities. The meeting was primarily led by the Facilities Subcommittee, which is tasked with developing a long-term facilities improvement plan and evaluating potential school closures.

During the meeting, committee members discussed the need to create a set of categories and criteria to assess the impact of possible school closures. This process is expected to begin as early as September. The committee, which consists of members from various professional backgrounds and community representatives, has met multiple times to gather data and insights on the district's demographics and enrollment projections.

One of the key topics was the establishment of school scorecards that will evaluate each school based on defined categories. The first category discussed was equity, which aims to minimize the disproportionate impact on historically marginalized groups during school closures. The committee emphasized the importance of understanding how many students would be affected by a closure and which specific groups would be impacted.

Geography was another critical criterion, focusing on the accessibility of schools for students. The committee highlighted the importance of walkability and transportation needs, especially in light of state mandates regarding student transportation.

Additionally, the functionality of school facilities was examined, with discussions on accessibility and the number of teaching stations available in each school. The committee visited all schools in the district to gain firsthand knowledge of their conditions, which informed their evaluations.

The meeting also touched on financial considerations, with members discussing the need to address the district's structural deficit through either increasing revenues or cutting expenses. The potential implications of school closures on the district's finances were acknowledged, with various options for handling closed facilities, including leasing or repurposing buildings.

Overall, the discussions at the meeting underscored the district's commitment to a thorough and equitable evaluation process as it navigates the challenges of declining enrollment and the future of its schools. The next steps will involve further analysis and community engagement as the committee works towards a comprehensive facilities improvement plan.