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Consultant finds no basis to pursue consolidation of Skokie School District 69
Summary
A consultant told the Board that District 69 lacks the typical indicators for successful consolidation — steady enrollment, adequate programs and facilities — and recommended against commissioning a feasibility study now.
Consultant Gary Lewis presented an analysis of District 69’s alignment with factors that historically support successful school district consolidation in Illinois and advised the board that the conditions for consolidation are not present.
Lewis reviewed the Illinois School Code framework for consolidation and compared District 69’s enrollment, demographics, finances and facility utilization to the predictors of successful consolidation. He noted District 69 has experienced steady enrollment and is not facing the program cuts, staffing shortages or underutilized facilities that often prompt consolidation. "The Mr. Lewis found no clear evidence that consolidation would improve educational or financial outcomes for District 69," the presentation concluded, and Lewis did not recommend pursuing a formal feasibility study at this time.
Board members received the presentation as responsive to community questions that arose during Village of Skokie discussions; the board took no further action on consolidation at the meeting.
