Potential School Closure in our neighborhood!

[Diana M]

Hello Ridge Court Neighbors -

I just wanted to make sure you are all aware that D65 is currently evaluating schools for closure next school year, and Washington Elementary is on their short-list for consideration.

Many of us have students at Washington and are rallying hard to save our kids from the trauma of having their school closed.  Washington currently has the largest enrollment of any elementary school in the district (403 students) and is one of the most racially and economically diverse schools in the district with 65% non-white students and 44% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.  Washington also has one of the highest utilization rates in the district (83%), so closing it simply does not make sense.

For those of you without kids at Washington, I'm writing to ask you to consider how a school closure would impact your neighborhood.  Losing our neighborhood school could hurt our property values.  Many of us walk and drive by Washington frequently, especially as we are using Robert Crown.  A closed schoolyard would not only be a sad sight to see, but also an invitation to vandalism and crime.  The district hopes to lease the properties of any closed schools, however no possible tenants have been shared with the community (and likely none have been identified).

➡️If this concerns you, please contact Mayor Biss and Alderman Nieuwsma and tell them this is bigger than a school-board issue and impacts the entire city.

➡️Consider sharing your concerns at the Joint 2nd/3rd/4th Ward Meeting tonight at Robert Crown 7-8:30pm

➡️Or attend a School Board meeting or one of four upcoming Community Listening sessions to voice your concerns.

You can find more information about the proposed closures here:

https://www.district65.net/about/budget-finance/structural-deficit-reduction-plan 

Thank you for taking the time to read this message!

Sincerely,

Diana Morrow - 936 Ridge Court

[Mr. G]

Thanks for the info, Diana.  My four adult children attended Washington, and I volunteer there with the Books & Breakfast program. The school is pretty full, unlike other schools in the district. I wrote to the mayor and two aldermen (Nieuwsma and Geracaris). I sure hopw that they spare Washington School - it's a gem!

Regards,

Chris

Christopher L. Gillock 

1126 South Blvd.

Evanston IL 60202

847-612-4896

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