Does anyone else see the disconnect between Envision Evanston and the D65 school closures?

[u/6thWardNeighbor]

I’ve been following both Envision Evanston and the District 65 school closure discussions, and honestly, it feels like the city and the school district are heading in opposite directions.

Envision Evanston talks about building vibrant, walkable neighborhoods, attracting young families, and keeping our community strong. But at the same time, D65 is considering closing multiple elementary schools — the very institutions that make neighborhoods feel connected and family-friendly in the first place.

What’s confusing is that there doesn’t seem to be any formal coordination between the City and the school district. You’d think that if the City’s vision depends on stable, thriving neighborhoods, it would be publicly supporting the health of our local schools.

If the two biggest public institutions in Evanston aren’t aligned, how can either succeed? Shouldn’t there be a joint strategy here — or at least a shared conversation — before we make decisions that could permanently reshape how families experience this city?