Dewey Elementary Students Address Proposed School Closures

The student-led Tiger Times special edition highlights community concerns over potential school and program cuts in Evanston.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Primary Education

Screen-print poster illustration of a stack of blank paper and a brass bell on a wooden desk, symbolizing student community advocacy. — Students at Evanston's Dewey Elementary School have released a special edition of the Tiger Times to advocate against proposed school program closures. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should students have a formal role in local discussions regarding the closure of their schools?

Dewey Elementary School students have released a special edition of the Tiger Times to address proposed closures of their school and Lincolnwood Elementary. The student-led publication shares peer reactions and letters to Evanston/Skokie School District 65 administrators regarding the cuts.

Why it matters

The proposed closures by District 65 threaten to eliminate established programs like Dewey Elementary's Two-Way Immersion, creating uncertainty for families regarding future school placement and neighborhood schooling stability.

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 administrators proposed closing both Dewey and Lincolnwood Elementary schools. This special Tiger Times edition marks an increase in the typical distribution frequency of 2 issues per year.

The players

Evanston/Skokie School District 65

The local public school system currently evaluating potential school closures and program cuts.

Daniel Biss

The former Mayor of Evanston who visited with student journalists to discuss the proposed school changes.

The details

Students at Dewey Elementary School produced this special edition by writing original opinion pieces and articles detailing reactions from their peers. The edition features letters written directly to district administrators and a class photo to highlight the community impact of the proposed closures. These materials serve to voice student concerns regarding the loss of school programs and staff members currently being evaluated by the district.

October 23, 2026: Former Mayor Daniel Biss visited the newspaper staff.
October 24, 2026: Students worked on the special edition in the library.
October 26, 2026: The special edition of the Tiger Times is distributed.

The Home Front

These proposed school closures reflect a wider effort by Evanston/Skokie School District 65 to address budget constraints through facility consolidation. This shift follows a pattern of institutional restructuring intended to reconcile long-term operational costs within the district.

Families affected by the potential closure of Dewey or Lincolnwood Elementary should monitor official District 65 communications for updates on upcoming board meetings. Tracking these district-wide discussions is essential for parents planning their children's long-term school logistics.

The takeaway

Student voices have brought new visibility to the district's ongoing closure debate through this grassroots reporting effort. Parents should keep an eye on the official District 65 meeting calendar to stay informed about the status of school programs in their neighborhood.