District 65 launches phase 3 of structural‑deficit plan; committees to recommend school‑closure criteria by June 23

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 administrators told the board on May 5 that Phase 3 of the district’s Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP) is underway, with finance, facilities and program subcommittees working through June to recommend criteria for possible school consolidations or closures. The administration said it expects to present recommended criteria to the board on June 23.

Why it matters: The district said it needs another $10–$15 million in reductions to reach financial sustainability. Phase 3 work will model scenarios, collect stakeholder feedback and could result in board action late this year. Any implementation of closures or consolidations would occur the following school year, administration staff said.

What the board heard Staff said the committees are made up of roughly 15 members each and that Northwestern University is supporting analysis. The district reported community engagement in April that included five sessions, about 260 in‑person participants and about 40 online survey responses. Melissa (staff member) said the engagement sought input on criteria to use if schools were to be closed or consolidated and invited “creative solutions” that could reduce the need for closures.

A tentative schedule presented by staff calls for: committee work through June; presentation of recommended criteria to the board on June 23; modeling and internal planning through July and August; and possible board consideration of scenarios in November 2025. Staff said any legal proceedings that might be required would follow board action.

Phase 2 reductions and staffing changes Administrators reviewed decisions already taken in Phase 2, which the board approved in January. Tamara (staff member) said Phase 2 included about $13,322,272 in reductions that take effect July 1, FY‑26. The reductions included a combination of personnel and non‑personnel measures. Staff said Phase 2 originally estimated a reduction of roughly 26 central‑office FTEs but that actual position closures in central administration totaled 32 (a mix of retirements, resignations and other separations) and that the cabinet was reduced by four FTEs.

The superintendent described a streamlined leadership team and newly reimagined roles: Dr. Speth will serve as assistant superintendent for academics; Tamara will serve as chief financial officer; Tiffany Taylor will serve as executive chief of human relations; Dr. Beardsley will serve as assistant superintendent of accountability; and Melissa will serve as assistant chief of communications. Administrators said some functions were combined to create efficiencies and that newly created positions absorbed responsibilities from closed roles to preserve key services.

Class sections, special‑area staff and interventions Staff said enrollment declines produced section reductions that reduced elementary sections by 14 districtwide and led to a total of 20 reductions among fine‑arts and physical‑education positions. The district also described a “class size minimums” process that rechecks enrollments three weeks before the opening of school and consolidates low‑enrollment sections to maximize class sizes within district guidelines.

On intervention services, administrators explained they reevaluated the academic skills–tutor model and concluded the program often did not target the students for whom it was originally designed. The district said it will rely on certified academic interventionists and other existing school‑based supports, and will work with principals and assistant principals to focus supports where needed.

Board questions and next steps Board members asked about transition planning, communication to schools, and how principals and assistant principals will support new or expanded responsibilities as central supports change. Staff said they are surveying school leaders and departments and will share more detailed organizational charts and work plans at a forthcoming meeting and on the district website.

Staff reiterated that Phase 3 is focused on aligning the physical footprint to declining enrollment while protecting student services where possible. The district will continue stakeholder engagement through the summer and resume committee meetings in August before presenting modeled scenarios to the board for possible action in November 2025.