Full Breakdown
Evanston/Skokie District 65 Initiates Closure Process for Kingsley Elementary School
1/10/2026, 10:50:10 PM
Unanimous Decision to Begin Closure Process
On January 6, 2026, the Evanston/Skokie District 65 Board of Education unanimously voted to initiate the closure process for Kingsley Elementary School, marking a significant step in the district's efforts to address its financial challenges. This decision follows months of indecision and comes alongside plans to evaluate the potential closure of Lincolnwood Elementary School later this year. The board's resolution mandates three public hearings before a final vote on Kingsley's closure, scheduled for June 2026.
Financial Context and Requirements
The district faces a structural deficit requiring cuts of $10 million to $15 million by fiscal year 2030. To facilitate this, the board has established financial stability criteria: maintaining a balanced budget, ensuring at least 90 days of cash on hand, and allocating a minimum of $2.7 million for capital expenditures. If these criteria are not met by October 2026, the board will reconsider the closure of Lincolnwood Elementary. Currently, the district's K-5 building utilization rate stands at approximately 61%, with a target of 75% set for the upcoming year.
Board Dynamics and Opinions
The board's decision reflects a compromise after previous votes failed to reach consensus on various closure scenarios. Board members Patricia Anderson, Nichole Pinkard, and Maria Opdycke have consistently supported single-school closure options, while others, including Sergio Hernandez, Maya Wilkins, and Andrew Wymer, have advocated for closing multiple schools. During discussions, concerns were raised about the feasibility of achieving the targeted utilization rate, with some members suggesting alternative solutions if the targets are not met.
Community Response and Criticism
Public attendance at the meeting was notably low, but several community members voiced concerns regarding the impact of school closures on families, particularly those involved with the Willard Elementary Two-Way Immersion program. Emily Garcia and Russ Schoen criticized the board's handling of the situation, urging reconsideration of the Willard program's closure without a formal vote. Schoen specifically called out board member Wymer for perceived inconsistencies in his stance on financial urgency.
Next Steps and Future Considerations
The board will hold public hearings on January 21 and 22 to discuss the Kingsley closure. Following these hearings, a formal vote will determine the school's fate. Additionally, the board is expected to welcome a seventh member soon, which may help resolve future tie votes. As the district prepares for the opening of the new Foster School and the closure of Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, board members emphasize the need for community collaboration to explore cost-cutting alternatives and ensure financial sustainability.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My view of it is that it allows us to phase in and get this first phase of the work done in good fashion,” — Patricia Anderson, Board President
- “but they set up some targets we can work towards.” — Maya Wilkins, Board Member
- “It’s a very specific number that I’m not 100% comfortable with,” — Maria Opdycke, Board Member
- “We will come back to a conversation with alternative solutions in October, and we as a board will be open minded to solve our financial long-term capital asset problem, right?” — Maria Opdycke, Board Member
This decision marks a pivotal moment for District 65 as it navigates financial challenges while addressing community concerns regarding school closures.
