Evanston/Skokie School District 65 faces budget cuts and technology debates

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is facing significant operational and financial challenges. District officials have announced plans to cut $20 million from the budget and close at least two of its 16 schools to address a structural deficit caused by declining enrollment, rising costs, and lost revenue. Interim Superintendent Eric Witherspoon stated that incremental cuts are insufficient to break the cycle of annual deficits.

Simultaneously, the district is navigating community tension regarding classroom technology. The advocacy group Screen Sense Evanston is pushing for stricter limits on iPad usage and a potential ban on generative AI in classrooms, citing models used in Los Angeles and New York City. While the district has already implemented some requests, such as banning certain noneducational apps and requiring parent opt-in for take-home devices, the school board recently approved a $528,279 expenditure to purchase 1,231 new iPads to maintain its one-to-one technology model.