Dozens of Evanston residents gathered Sunday, Sept. 20, to hear what District 65 programs could be on the chopping block as the district prepares to cut $20 million from its budget.

The meeting at Robert Crown Community Center came after Interim Superintendent Eric Witherspoon told the District 65 school board on Sept. 15 that he would propose cuts affecting "every single aspect" of the district, as Evanston Now first reported. Those reductions, including the closure of two additional school buildings, are set to be presented at the Oct. 13 board meeting.

Three public input sessions this week give residents a chance to weigh in before that presentation. District 65 is holding sessions at Chute Middle School on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Haven Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and at Nichols Middle School on Thursday, Sept. 24. Both Evanston Now and the Evanston Roundtable reported sessions running from 6 to 7:15 p.m.

Thrive 65, a parent advocacy group formed to help the community navigate the budget crisis, organized Sunday's gathering. Four speakers led the session: Kelly Farley, a group founder who called herself the "Debbie Downer of finance"; Terri Shepard, a former District 65 school board member; Elizabeth Rolewicz, a District 202 board member and 10-year D65 parent; and Lindsey White.

Thrive 65 leaders urged attendees to identify their "must-haves" while acknowledging the district has "a model that hasn't been sustainable for decades," Evanston Now reported. Farley put it bluntly: "The cuts have to come from somewhere." The group said it would not take a position on what should be cut but wanted residents to advocate for the programs they value most.

Shepard told the crowd to think creatively given the district's financial reality. Rolewicz said she views field trips as essential to a well-rounded education, even as some might consider them a luxury.

The Evanston Roundtable reported that programs potentially at risk include Head Start, social work staff, paraprofessional and counseling positions, transportation, crossing guards and instructional enhancement.

Not everyone at the meeting agreed on approach. One attendee argued residents should ask "what can we cut?" rather than fight to preserve individual schools, saying that strategy failed during the last round of closures. Another countered: "People should speak up for their own children, but not only their own children."

The proposed $20 million in reductions would amount to roughly 10% of the district's annual spending in Fiscal Year 2028, which runs from July 2027 through June 2028. District 65 has already eliminated more than 170 full-time positions and cut $26 million over the past three fiscal years. Enrollment has dropped 25% over eight years to about 5,900 students, and the district's K-5 buildings average 64% occupancy.

Witherspoon has asked the board to approve a budget plan by the end of November. A new permanent superintendent is expected to take over July 1, 2027, the same day the new budget would take effect.