District 65 Will Seek Community Input for Superintendent

Evanston residents can share feedback on leadership goals through upcoming public forums and an online survey.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Administration

District 65 Will Seek Community Input for Superintendent

Live Poll

Do you trust the school board to incorporate community feedback into the new superintendent search?

Starting October 20, 2026, the District 65 school board will host three community engagement sessions to discuss the search for a new superintendent. These meetings are intended to gather public input to help shape the district's leadership profile.

Why it matters

The board aims to identify a leader whose qualities and priorities align with the values of the local community. This feedback will directly inform the criteria used by the Alma Advisory Group throughout the selection process.

The district is hosting three in-person community gatherings, each running from 6 to 8 p.m. Spanish interpretation services will be provided at every event.

The players

District 65 school board

This local governing body is responsible for overseeing the public school system in Evanston and Skokie.

Alma Advisory Group

This firm is partnering with the district to manage the executive search process for a new superintendent.

The details

The school board is partnering with the Alma Advisory Group to manage the recruitment process for a new superintendent. Residents are encouraged to provide their perspectives at local school sites or through an online survey that remains open until October 30.

The first community gathering occurs at Chute Middle School on October 20, 2026.
A second meeting takes place at Foster Elementary School on October 21, 2026.
The third session is held at Nichols Middle School on October 22, 2026.
The online survey closes for all submissions on October 30, 2026.

Culture Shift

The district's outreach effort follows the pattern of transparency and community involvement established by the Illinois Open Meetings Act. This reflects a broader trend of local school boards prioritizing public consensus in executive hiring to ensure accountability.

Residents are encouraged to register in advance to assist with event planning for the three school-based meetings. Participants can also influence the future direction of the school system by completing the online survey before the October 30 deadline.

The takeaway

Engaging in these sessions allows community members to directly influence the profile of the district's next leader. Residents should note that Spanish interpretation is available to ensure all families can participate in the feedback process.