Evanston Now
Push for STEM school in predominantly Black 5th Ward runs up against looming district budget deficits.
An image from the candidate forum.
School board candidates in Evanston/Skokie District 65 had a hard and sometimes painful discussion Wednesday night about something many parents want but the district likely can’t afford right now — a new school in the 5th Ward.
It’s an issue which combines two challenging topics — money and race.
All eight candidates, three incumbents and five challengers, answered questions in a Facebook forum hosted by Evanston Live TV.
The primarily minority 5th Ward has been without a school for decades, with children being bused to other parts of town. Non-incumbent Marquise Weatherspoon, a parent of four, said Black children often “do not feel included” in other schools. She said a 5th Ward school is needed.