District 65 parent attorneys raise concern of possible Open Meetings Act violation in latest letter

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 parents who are attorneys and have threatened to sue the district sent a response letter Sunday to a lawyer for the board, asking for concrete answers about how the district decided on the methodology it is using in the school closure process. Lincolnwood and Dewey elementary schools are both slated to close at the end of the 2026-27 school year under District 65’s financial sustainability plan, although the board has not yet given final approval. The group sent its original demand letter Oct. 30. According to the original letter, the parents believe District 65’s approach in creating a budget plan is “inconsistent with its obligations under Illinois law” and that, if it proceeds, it “risks producing closure decisions that are legally invalid.” Ruchi Verma, an attorney for the district from Franczek, called the threat to sue “premature” in a response sent Thursday evening In their followup Sunday, the parents reiterated their concerns about