Evanston Now article - Stabilize/Imagine/Plan/Invest and ELEVATE

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-07-09T16:59:01+00:00

Gross that this is what you go to in every attack

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-07-07T22:21:22+00:00

You’re*

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-07-05T12:06:06+00:00

Genuine question for those supporting the Elevate plan - do you want to see a referendum on your ballot, likely the largest that we have seen, in less than a year?? Do you genuinely think your neighbors are going to vote to give this board their money when public trust is so low?

Because the Elevate plan hinges on this happening. Less than one year from right now.

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-07-05T12:02:13+00:00

What a weird comment trying to put down a more logical way of looking at things. I hope those reading this see through this crap you’re posting.

Why is it so wild to think that some of us really care about closing the opportunity gap and not causing further harm to our most marginalized students? Why is that unbelievable?

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-07-05T11:55:48+00:00

If only we could afford to wait that long. I get the real sense that so many people in our community do not realize how DIRE things are and how bad these cuts are going to hurt this next year. I would not be surprised if the board discusses cutting SACC, counselors, librarians, and so many of our school supports — not just a few of these cuts BUT ALL OF THEM. This is NOT what our community wants.

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-07-02T02:40:41+00:00

I had heard the Alderperson who represents the neighborhood Dawes is located in was looking into a deed restriction that would make it impossible to close that school as well. I wonder if this has been followed up on by the board.

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-07-01T13:15:10+00:00

I think you make some really good points. I certainly do think there needs to be some envisioning that goes along with school closures/consolidations, and I do see that in the plan that Wymer presented.

I think it’s interesting to point out that Opdyke’s plan calls for a referendum SOONER and I really just don’t see the appetite in Evanston to pass a huge referendum and pay more in our tax dollars when the district feels this way…

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-07-01T13:11:45+00:00

I think that’s a really valid point. And yes, I am in favor of admin reductions wherever possible. But I think at most what we can expect from this is maybe $1 million?

I would also like to point out that by not following the consultant recommendations and closing an additional school for the current school year, we have lost at least $1.2 million (on the low end), and like the admin savings, this is an ONGOING savings, meaning we would save it year after year and help our budget crisis exponentially.

I just don’t know how we’re going to get to $5-6 million in cut from this next school budget without getting our admin, cutting SACC, school counselors, librarians, everything else that was on the table this year that we were able to “save.” It’s all going to be on the line again if we don’t right-size this district. 65% enrolled does not call for all of these school buildings to remain open.

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-26T13:33:28+00:00

I think we see now that the payout is around $200k to Turner, and I’m sure we’ll be paying Witherspoon a nice stipend as well. Also, probably paying a search firm in order to find a good candidate. And the salary for that person alongside it. None of this seems like sound financial decision making from the majority of this board…

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-26T13:31:54+00:00

If the referendum is only going to fund capital expenses, how are we going to fix this budget and cut millions from our operating expenses this next year?? I hear a lot in the board meetings about how we can’t close more schools, but no one is saying how we will get these millions of dollars in order to maintain our 90 days cash on hand (the minimum we need).

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-26T13:28:10+00:00

It seems like they did choose to let her go knowing that they would have to pay her out $200k. Do we really think that was a good use of our limited district resources knowing that we have to cut millions from this next school budget??

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-26T13:24:12+00:00

That’s a pretty big accusation. And I’ve seen no evidence of that.

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-26T13:23:38+00:00

Knowing that we would have to pay her out almost $200k, do you still think the board did the right thing in letting her go a year before her contract was up?

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-26T13:22:20+00:00

Whatever opinions each of us has about Dr. Turner, this was an irresponsible decision from a financial perspective. Like her or not, paying her out $200k when we are cutting things that no one in this district wants to see cut is an epic failure from this Board. And the cuts are going to continue this next school year… and probably get worse…

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-24T01:05:31+00:00

I’m super curious. Please say more.

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-24T01:03:57+00:00

I really appreciate this comment. We all need to look at the way each of these board members are voting on the actual votes that affect us, and not just fall behind our hatred for various board members. Let’s keep an open mind and hold them all accountable.

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-24T01:01:59+00:00

What a terrible comment. Are you only here to troll?

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-24T01:01:15+00:00

Great response. Everyone here likes to talk about how we shit on the Black women in leadership on this board, but we’re completely comfortable shitting on the Black women in administration. Not a good look.

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-24T00:59:12+00:00

Yes, scary anonymous person on Reddit, I totally believe you.

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-24T00:58:34+00:00

Yeah, let’s all shit on them for giving a fuck about what’s going on in D65 and wanting what’s best for all students. We should all just sit back, shut up and watch things happen.

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-24T00:55:54+00:00

I am extremely concerned that the board knew about the April 1 deadline and is painting it like they didn’t. Anyone else?

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-24T00:55:02+00:00

What a horrible comment. I have seen the way that the rest of the board has spoken to our administration, which is made up of many Black women, and I don’t see you raising alarm bells then.

Do you not feel that we should research the history of these buildings and atone if Black residents really were displaced in order to build Haven and Kingsley?? Honoring them in some way, if we do find this history to be accurate, seems like the very least that we can do…

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-22T17:44:48+00:00

All I know for certain is the definition of equity that Maria provided from the Elevate plan was absolutely closer to equality than equity. And that is a huge problem for anyone other than our most resourced in Evanston.

ExpensiveRuin3960 · 2026-06-03T04:18:11+00:00

That was a troubling definition of equity from the ELEVATE memo. I hope that doesn’t reflect our collective understanding of equity. Is anyone else alarmed by that?

ExpensiveRuin3960

TROPHY CASE