Evanston District 65 presents $13.2 million deficit‑reduction plan with four scenarios that would cut up to 79 FTE

Superintendent Dr. Turner and district consultants outlined a structural deficit reduction plan on Jan. 13 that would cut roughly $13.2 million for fiscal year 2026 under a multi‑phase process and offered four scenarios that range from about $15.2 million to $16.1 million in reductions and 72.5 to 79 full‑time equivalent (FTE) positions.

The scenarios presented prioritize minimizing harm to student‑facing services while targeting reductions in central office staffing, purchase services, transportation and non‑direct school staff. Consultants put a $4.5 million reduction in student transportation across all scenarios as a key savings lever and said some proposals include removing bus aides except where required by IEPs or 504 plans.

Why it matters: Evanston CCSD 65 projects deficits that would deplete reserves unless the board approves reductions. District presenters said without action the district could see materially lower days cash on hand in FY26–FY28 and would risk short‑term borrowing (tax anticipation warrants) or deeper cuts in later phases. The board set a Jan. 27 meeting to choose which phase‑2 path to advance and begins implementation for July 1, 2025 if approved.

Financial picture and scenarios Tamara (district finance staff) presented historical and projected fund performance showing deficits of about $7.9 million in FY23, $8.5 million in FY24 and a FY25 projection “just under $13.6 million” if no reductions occur. The board policy target is 90 days cash on hand; presenters said FY25 cash‑on‑hand would fall to roughly 71 days without action and could drop below 40 days in FY26 if nothing changed.

Consultants outlined four high‑level options (summary figures offered by staff): -…