District 65 Proposed School Closures and Program Cuts
Families in Evanston may face school closures and the loss of child care services under a new district proposal.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Administration
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Do you support the proposed closure of elementary schools to address your local district budget deficit?
Interim Superintendent Eric Witherspoon has recommended the closure of two local elementary schools, Dewey Elementary and Lincolnwood Elementary, as part of a budget restructuring plan. The proposal also includes ending the district's School Age Child Care program and relinquishing head start operations.
Why it matters
These measures are intended to address a structural budget deficit and place District 65 on a sustainable financial path. The district has also suggested a future tax referendum to fund necessary facility renovations or new construction.
The district has recommended closing two elementary schools, Dewey and Lincolnwood, while planning to relinquish all head start operations by July 1, 2028. Facilities at both sites will not be sold despite the closure recommendations.
The players
Eric Witherspoon
Serving as the interim superintendent for District 65, he is leading the current budget restructuring efforts.
District 65
This Evanston school district provides public education for elementary and middle school students.
The details
The administration proposed these facility closures and staffing cuts to close a structural budget deficit that threatens long-term operations. While specific plans for the remaining school buildings are limited, the district intends to keep the properties rather than selling them. Future funding for facility improvements or new builds remains dependent on the potential passage of a tax referendum.
Timeline
* October 13, 2026: Superintendent Witherspoon presented the school closure proposal.
* July 1, 2028: The district plans to relinquish head start operations.
The Home Front
The district's proposal to shutter schools to address a deficit follows a trend where systems adjust infrastructure to remain fiscally solvent. These local adjustments underscore broader challenges in balancing facility maintenance with tightening public budgets.
Parents should monitor upcoming school board meeting agendas to see when a formal vote on these recommendations will be scheduled. Families using current child care services should begin exploring alternate arrangements in case the proposed program cuts move forward.
The takeaway
Budget restructuring in school districts can have immediate impacts on local family logistics and child care availability. Families should keep track of official district communications regarding the timeline for the proposed closures and potential tax referendum updates.
Further reading
For more on how local policy impacts local families, see the Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston Now.
Live Poll
Do you support the proposed closure of elementary schools to address your local district budget deficit?
