Evanston/Skokie District 65 Faces Financial Uncertainty with Kathy Zalewski’s Departure: A Look at the Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Kathy Zalewski, who has been the business manager and chief school business official for the Evanston/Skokie District 65 for the past 23 years, announced her resignation at the end of this school year. Her final day in the position will be June 28, as confirmed by District 65 spokesperson Hannah Dillow. The district expressed their gratitude for Zalewski’s contributions over the years and wished her success in her future endeavors while assuring a smooth transition with her departure.

With Zalewski’s exit, the district will need to find a new chief financial officer and business manager during the summer. The CFO position has been vacant since August 2023 when Raphael Obafemi left to join Oswego District 308. The departure of Zalewski is part of a trend of administrators leaving District 65 over the past year, following the resignations of various key personnel including former Superintendent Devon Horton, Dean of Culture and Climate Elijah Palmer, and others.

During a recent public hearing regarding the potential closure of Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, former board member Rebeca Mendoza expressed gratitude towards Zalewski for her two decades of service to District 65. Mendoza also voiced concerns about the financial future of the district given the upcoming departures of key personnel and the absence of continuity in the planning process for new school initiatives. Despite these challenges, District 65 is working with financial advisors to manage financial matters effectively during this transition period.

In conclusion, Kathy Zalewski’s resignation marks another significant loss for Evanston/Skokie District 65 as it continues to face challenges related to key personnel departures and budget constraints. However, with its commitment to hiring capable replacements and effective financial management strategies in place, District 65 remains optimistic about its ability to weather these challenges and continue providing quality education to its students.