Analysis and viewpoint: District 65 board should take closer look at administrative staffing levels  

Between fiscal years 2019 and 2027, Evanston/Skokie School District 65’s pre-K to eighth-grade student enrollment declined from 7,837 students to 5,893, according to a presentation district administrators gave to the school board on Sept. 14. That is a decline of 1,944 students, or 25%. Enrollment data presented to the board on Oct. 13 is even more stark. The district said that, in the last decade, the decline in student enrollment in the K-5 schools that feed into Haven Middle School is 33%. Similarly, the decline in enrollment in the K-5 schools that feed into Chute Middle School is 33%. Meanwhile, the number of full-time equivalent employees (FTEs*) increased from 1,207 in 2018-19 (fiscal yea 2019) to 1,336 in 2026-27 (fiscal year 2027). That’s an increase of 129 FTEs or 10%.   While enrollment declined by 25%, the number of staff increased by 10%. This article focuses on the district’s staffing levels in fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 and on the cuts proposed in