District 65 Child Care Program to Close This Year
Families utilizing the district-run program will need to seek alternative care options as the board considers a closure.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Child Care
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District 65 in Evanston is proposing the closure of its School Age Child Care (SACC) program at the end of the current school year. This change would affect 350 students and is intended to help address the district's budget needs.
Why it matters
The proposal aims to save $400,000 annually by eliminating a service that administrators state falls outside the district's core mission. For families, this shift necessitates finding alternative care options as the program would otherwise require a 35% fee increase to remain financially viable.
A district analysis of the School Age Child Care program, which serves 350 students, found that maintaining the service would require a 35% fee increase to reach cost neutrality. It remains unknown if current alternative providers will be able to absorb the displaced enrollment.
The players
District 65 Board of Education
The local governing body responsible for overseeing the public school system and its programs in Evanston.
Right At School
A provider of child care services that operates within school district buildings.
McGaw YWCA
A community organization offering afterschool programs in the local area.
Skokie Park District
A municipal entity providing recreational and care services in the region.
The details
The district provides child care at a monthly cost of $504 per child. To achieve cost neutrality, fees would need to rise significantly, prompting the district to favor a total closure to reduce annual expenses by $400,000. Other regional providers, including Right At School, the McGaw YWCA, and the Skokie Park District, currently offer alternative care options with varying monthly rates.
Timeline
The School Age Child Care program is proposed to close at the end of the current school year.
Kingsley Elementary closed at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
Health Landscape
The proposal aligns with a trend where local districts evaluate the necessity of non-academic support services against their core educational mission. This shift reflects a broader re-evaluation of how public school systems handle ancillary student programs amid fiscal constraints.
Families currently using the SACC program should begin researching alternative providers, such as the McGaw YWCA or Skokie Park District, to compare costs and availability. It is worth discussing care transition plans with a school administrator to determine if alternative programs meet specific family needs.
The takeaway
The potential loss of school-based child care requires parents to proactively evaluate the costs and service models of regional alternatives like the McGaw YWCA or Skokie Park District. Families should review current district communications to stay informed on the final closure vote and upcoming changes to school boundaries.
Further reading
For more information on local programs and resources, visit Child Care.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston Now.
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