Parents within the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 are calling for a postponement of an upcoming school board vote, as doubts arise over a substantial financial discrepancy discovered in the district’s budget projections. A startling error of $17 million has been identified amid plans to close two elementary schools and slash over 200 jobs.
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The issue came to light when two concerned parents, David Azari and Alexandra Miller, uncovered the oversight while examining the district’s publicly released financial documents. According to the Chicago Tribune, their findings led to a rally of hundreds of community members on 26 October, who are urging the school board to reconsider its proposed cuts, which would affect Dewey and Lincolnwood elementary schools effective from the end of the 2026-27 academic year.
The district, facing significant fiscal challenges, aims to reduce its expenses by $20 million as it gears up for its 2028 budget. Officials have issued warnings that the district’s financial reserves could be entirely depleted by 2030 without significant budget cuts. However, the recent discovery of the accounting misstep has raised serious concerns regarding the accuracy of the financial data being relied upon to justify these drastic measures.
Miller articulated the frustrations felt by many in the community, expressing to the Tribune that this situation exemplifies a rushed process lacking adequate checks. “The board and community need more certainty about all the related financials before a vote can take place,” she stated. Azari noted that the error stemmed from a duplicated entry regarding anticipated spending on school facilities, which inflated the projected budget figures.
In correspondence with district officials on 23 October, Azari outlined the accounting flaw. He explained that this error had distorted the actual costs projected over the coming years, thus inflating the savings the district believed it needed to achieve its financial goals. District Chief Financial Officer Eric Miller confirmed the mistake in a follow-up email, indicating that rectifying these figures would reduce projected expenses significantly — by $1 million in fiscal year 2028 and a further $4 million each year from 2029 to 2032, resulting in a total reduction of $17 million.
Parents were dismayed to learn that the expected financial benefit from closing Dewey and Lincolnwood elementary schools, estimated at approximately $2.9 million annually, falls short of the unwarranted accounting error’s magnitude. Officials asserted that, while the correction reduces overall expenses, it does not alter the underlying financial issues that necessitate potential cuts.
Amidst the rising tension, participants at the meeting voiced their concerns, urging the board to reassess the timeline for the vote. “You are asking the community to trust decisions built on fundamentally flawed information,” remarked Vic Filippini, a parent of three children enrolled in district schools. This sentiment echoed throughout the crowd, who voiced their desire for a more thoughtful approach to financial decision-making rather than acting hastily.
Katie Milgrom, a parent representative for the advocacy group For a Brighter Evanston, added that stakeholders are imploring the board to delay its scheduled vote on 9 November. Milgrom highlighted the need for transparent, credible alternatives that accurately reflect the district’s financial challenges, warning of the potential long-term repercussions for children and the community if the current proposal is rushed through.
Concerns were also voiced by board members regarding the implications of proceeding without a thorough review of the district’s finances. Board member Maria Opdycke emphasised that financial mistakes should not be concealed and that learning from errors is essential for moving forward.
Amid the growing pressure, board president Nichole Pinkard indicated that, depending on community feedback, an additional meeting could be arranged prior to the vote to address lingering concerns. As the district weighs its options, the future of the schools and the jobs of many employees hang in the balance, drawing the attention of a community eager for clarity and accountability.
Evanston/Skokie School District 65 has yet to respond to requests for further comment regarding the ongoing situation. As the November vote approaches, the stakes are high for families deeply affected by these impending decisions.