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Committee debates whether private schools should qualify as equity-prioritized buildings
Summary
Board members split over whether private schools should be included among equity-prioritized buildings: one member opposed inclusion because private schools lack an obligation to serve the Evanston community, another urged a tiered approach noting some private schools provide scholarships and community services.
The board returned to defining equity-prioritized buildings and discussed schools specifically. One member argued private schools should be excluded from the category because they are not obliged to serve Evanston residents and therefore should not get priority resources intended for community-serving institutions. "I would strongly oppose including private schools," the member said, citing concerns about limited public benefit.
Another member pushed back, noting some private schools offer scholarships and community programs and that a tiered approach might be appropriate instead of an outright exclusion. The group agreed more discussion is needed and deferred a final recommendation to future meetings, noting that any final approach will likely go to the city council for approval.
