SchoolsTuesday, November 10
Evanston families and teachers rally against District 65 cuts and a $17 million error
The 5AM Evanston team
Chants of “No cuts, no closures” rang out as families and educators rallied outside the Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center ahead of Monday's board meeting. The cuts on the table go past the two closings: the board is considering reducing more than 200 staff positions, and it could cut or phase out Head Start along with other non-mandated programs.
More than 200staff positions the board is considering reducing
Parents and teachers packed Monday's meeting to speak against the cuts.
Sources: NBC 5 Chicago, WGN-TV
Parents also identified a $17 million error in the district's financial projections. Corrections improved the district's financial position by about $27 million over five years, and parent Monica Mendoza said the miscalculation made her question whether the district has made errors before.
“Hearing this board discuss eliminating Head Start and framing early education as a financial drain on K-8 schools felt like a punch in the gut.”
- Next step: board vote Mon., Nov. 16
- Head Start: teacher says cuts could disproportionately affect Black and Latine students
District 65 aims to cut $20 million, and a $17 million error shifted its math
- $20 million
- in spending the district aims to cut by fiscal year 2028
- $17 million
- error parents found in the financial projections
- $27 million
- better position after corrections, over five years
Source: The Daily Northwestern
Sources: The Daily Northwestern, WGN-TV, NBC 5 Chicago, ABC7 Chicago