Evanston CCSD 65’s Board of Education heard more than three hours of public comment on Dec. 1, 2025 before debating and voting on whether to start formal public hearings to consider proposed school closures. Community speakers—parents, teachers and program directors—pressed the board about the potential loss of programs and staff, the accuracy of district data and the impact on vulnerable students.

"Tonight's decisions will bring significant change," said Kelly Post, president of DEC, warning that proposed boundary and building changes would displace educators and require them to pack up "years of classroom materials" and relationships. Steven Vick, executive director of the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, told the board a delayed ACH payment "is 25% of our budget" for the early-head-start program and asked that the payment be placed on the agenda or deferred to the Dec. 8 meeting so his organization could meet payroll.

A recurring theme in public comment was the district's two-way immersion program (TWI). Multiple speakers urged the board to remove a proposal to close TWI strands at Willard and Wheeler from current closure scenarios, saying enrollment figures undercount true demand because some families declined offers when closures were expected and because siblings and other factors were not included in the tally. "Removing TWI options breaks the promise made to these families," one speaker said, arguing the program should be grown, not shrunk.

Several parents and community groups emphasized equity and student supports. Beth Brady, a District 65 teacher and parent, said delaying a decision harms staff and the student-facing roles that support vulnerable learners. Heather Bruner, a special-education teacher, warned that moving students with complex needs can erase progress: "Moving kids like him just to make room for others is deeply concerning."

Board members spent the meeting weighing financial forecasts and equity concerns. One board member said doing nothing would put the district below "90 days cash on hand next year," arguing more closures may be needed for long-term solvency. Other board members called for cautious, operational planning to ensure Foster School opens successfully and for clear, transparent metrics to track whether future closures would be required.

The board considered three separate motions to start the required public hearings under section 10-22.13 of the Illinois School Code. The first motion would have started hearings on Kingsley and Willard (three hearings each, six total); that motion failed. A second motion to start hearings on Kingsley and Lincolnwood produced a 3–3 tie and did not pass. A third motion to start hearings on Kingsley only also failed to carry by split votes, and a subsequent motion to start hearings on Lincolnwood failed on a 2–4 vote. After the final vote the board president noted there would be no school closures at this time.

The meeting record shows the board did not adopt any closure actions at the Dec. 1 meeting. The superintendent was not directed to proceed with closure hearings after these votes. The board adjourned at 6:29 p.m.

What happens next: the motions considered by the board all failed to secure a majority, so no closure hearings were scheduled at this meeting. Several public speakers asked the board to publish clearer financial metrics and timelines if closures remain on the table; multiple community groups and parents said they will continue to press for transparent data and for preservation of TWI strands.

(Reporting note: quotes and attributions are taken from the Dec. 1 public meeting transcript of Evanston CCSD 65.)