SchoolsTuesday, November 10
District 65 delays its vote on school-closure hearings until Nov. 16
The 5AM Evanston team
If you have a child at Dewey or Lincolnwood, the clock just got a week longer. The District 65 school board pushed back its vote Monday on whether to start public hearings about closing the two elementary schools, after a group of parents threatened to sue if it went ahead. The board said it wanted more time for discussion, and the vote is now set for Nov. 16.
The District 65 closure vote slid from Nov. 9 to Nov. 16
- Oct. 13Administrators propose closing Dewey and Lincolnwood elementary schools.
- Oct. 20Lincolnwood families meet district leaders, and tensions run high.
- Nov. 9The board delays its vote on starting public hearings.
- Nov. 16The board is set to take up the delayed vote.
Sources: NBC 5 Chicago, The Daily Northwestern, WGN-TV
The Monday vote was expected to decide whether the district will close two schools, and spokesperson Melissa Messinger clarified that the upcoming vote will not immediately close the schools. Administrators proposed the closures as part of an effort to cut $20 million in spending by fiscal year 2028.
- Next vote: Mon., Nov. 16
- Not a closing vote: final vote comes after public hearings
- Buildings: district indicated it isn't planning to sell them
More than 700students who would have to change schools if both close
District leaders said enrollment has fallen 33% at both schools. Closing them could also cut transportation for pre-K students.
Sources: CBS Chicago, WGN-TV
Sources: NBC 5 Chicago, ABC7 Chicago, The Daily Northwestern, CBS Chicago, WGN-TV