Full Breakdown
$17 Million Budget Error Fuels Parent Pushback on District 65 School Closures
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Budget Error and Proposed School Closures
Evanston-Skokie School District 65 announced a plan to close Dewey and Lincolnwood Elementary schools and cut more than 200 staff positions as part of a $20 million deficit reduction effort. Parents and students rallied before a board meeting, demanding a delay until the district’s financial data can be verified after two parents identified a $17 million math error that double-counts projected capital expenses for the next five years.
02
Financial Details and Projections
The error, confirmed by CFO Eric Miller, would lower projected spending by $1 million in the 2028 fiscal year and $4 million annually from 2029-2032, totaling $17 million. District officials had previously estimated that consolidating the two schools would save $2.9 million per year, or $14.5 million over five years—still less than the double-counted amount. Miller warned that without a $20 million cut for the 2028 budget, the district’s fund balance could be exhausted by 2030.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Official Statements & Responses
CFO Eric Miller emphasized that the correction does not alter the “structural gap or facility obligations.” He said the district will spend roughly two weeks refining five-year projections and will release revised figures publicly. Interim Superintendent Eric Witherspoon echoed the need for transparency and noted that the error does not reverse any planned budget cuts. Board Vice President Chris Van Nostrand linked the financial turmoil to past corruption under former superintendent Devon Horton and pledged a “cultural realignment” to restore trust.
04
Community Opposition
Parents argued the board is moving too quickly, citing repeated boundary changes and the disruption to students. Bo Maddox, a fifth-grader, expressed frustration at being asked repeatedly to be “brave” while leaders ignore community input. Robin Telander, Maddox’s mother, called for resignations, an independent financial review, and a pause on closure votes. Board members Maria Opdycke and Sergio Hernandez supported calls for an independent evaluation and a public finance committee to improve transparency.
05
Verbatim Quotes
- “The ($17 million) correction lowers projected expenses, but does not change the structural gap or facility obligations,” — Eric Miller, CFO
- “We’ll take approximately the next 14 days to refine the five-year projections, incorporate this correction and other updated assumptions, and prepare the revised figures for public release,” — Eric Miller, CFO
- “The Board and community need more certainty about all the related financials before a vote can take place,” — Alexandra Miller, CFO
- “I find myself back in this room fighting for the same thing,” — Bo Maddox
- “Kingsley was my favorite place. I loved it so much that when I was in an ambulance having an allergic reaction, I asked if I could go back to school the next day. When Kingsley closed, my mom told me to be brave and give Lincolnwood a chance…You keep asking us to be brave, but when will the admin and Board be brave enough to listen to us?” — Robin Telander
- “I never want anyone to think they have to hide a mistake. Mistakes can be forgiven and we move forward,” — Maria Opdycke