DEC Signal

District 65 Educators Council
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Education

DEC Signal is the weekly podcast for District 65 educators. In under five minutes, get what you need to know—and what you need to thrive. We cover what's happening in our district: staffing, budgets, school board decisions, and the issues affecting your classroom. But we also cover what helps you build a career: TRS pension and retirement planning, continuing education and endorsements, professional development opportunities, and how to advance in the profession. DEC Signal is about more than news. It's about why your union matters—how DEC and IEA fight for your salary, your benefits, your working conditions, and your voice. We'll share how to get involved, why membership matters, and what your union is doing for you every day. Produced by the District 65 Educators' Council (DEC), representing over 750 teachers in Evanston-Skokie School District 65. DEC is your union. This is your podcast. New episodes every Monday morning. Part of Signal Network, a product of The Signal Lab.

  1. 16h ago

    Nov. 9 Recap: Three Closure Scenarios Presented, Kelly Post: "Nobody Wins," Head Start Update, FAPEL on the Table

    The November 9th board meeting brought three school closure scenarios to the table — no vote was taken. DEC President Kelly Post opened public comment after a community rally. She acknowledged educators are bracing for job losses, role changes, and program closures. She put FAPEL on the record as a contractual protection. And she said clearly: it is time to make a decision and move forward. The administration's recommended plan closes Lincolnwood and Dewey. The board requested two additional scenarios be modeled: King Arts only, and King Arts plus Lincolnwood. Each scenario carries different student impacts, unresolved program questions, and costs the district has not yet fully modeled. The board also received an update on early childhood at the JH ECC — Preschool for All and special education services continue; Head Start and Early Head Start end July 1, 2028. No vote. The process continues. Next board meeting: November 23rd. DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.

  2. Oct 28

    Oct. 26 Recap: $17M Error Confirmed, Kelly Post Tells the Board to Show Up, 78 Speakers, Vote Is Nov. 9

    The October 26th Regular Board Meeting drew 78 public commenters and a district acknowledgment of a $17 million error in its financial projections. DEC President Kelly Post led off public comment with her sharpest statement yet — standing in solidarity with EACCP on SACC, calling out the district for leaving educators feeling blindsided and unsupported, telling board members and administrators directly: "You need to get into these buildings." And closing: "Many of us have served this district long before you arrived, and we will be here picking up the pieces long after you are gone." CFO Eric Miller confirmed the $17M double-count of capital expenses — a correction community members surfaced before the district did. Dr. Witherspoon addressed the board at length: named the financial crisis plainly, cited 26% enrollment decline since 2017, and asked for trust in the plan. Public comment covered SACC in depth — parents, educators, and staff describing the program as irreplaceable for working families, students with IEPs, and kids who depend on continuity. ECC educators returned to the microphone. Children spoke. A fourth grader at Dawes. Students from Lincolnwood and Dewey. A seventh grader from Haven worried about her siblings. The board has not voted. The vote is November 9th. Revised boundary maps released October 23rd; survey still open. DEC is there. DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.

  3. Oct 15

    Oct. 13 Recap: $20M Cut Plan Explained, Lincolnwood and Dewey Closing, 713 Students Changing Schools

    The October 13th Committee of the Whole was the meeting the board had been building toward. DEC President Kelly Post opened public comment, acknowledged a traumatic year for educators, and pledged continued advocacy. Then Dr. Witherspoon, CFO Eric Miller, and Assistant Superintendent Maggie Gordon laid out the plan: $20.9 million in expense reductions plus additional revenue, landing at $14.2 million in annual recurring savings. SACC closes end of this school year. Head Start grants are relinquished July 1, 2028 — with a delay designed to support transition. JH Early Childhood Center continues preschool and special ed services; Head Start ends. Staffing reductions hit every category: admin down 16.3%, certified down 12.4%, classified down 21.4%. Two schools are closing: Lincolnwood and Dewey. Haven feeder enrollment is down 33% over a decade — Lincolnwood carries the largest capital expense and sits on the district's preferred future build site. Nicholls feeder is also down 33% — Dewey has the least space and the smallest marginalized student population of its feeder peers. STEP moves to Orington. TWE moves to Lincoln. King Arts is preserved. 713 students change schools; 329 from marginalized groups. The new feeder pattern: Haven (Foster, Orington, Willard), Nicholls (Washington, Lincoln), Chute (Oakton, Dawes, Walker). Superintendent search community engagement continues through October 28th. Next Regular Board Meeting: October 27th. DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.

  4. Oct 5

    Sept. 28 Recap: Students Perform, Budget Approved, Superintendent Search Dates Set — October 13 Is Coming

    Four things from the September 28th District 65 Regular Board Meeting. Rob Tejada's music students and Quinn's drama program took the stage before the board got to business — and it showed exactly why educators show up every day. The Accountability Report is in: District 65 students are showing growth, and that belongs to the educators who made it happen. The FY27 budget passed unanimously — $179.9 million in revenues, $185 million in expenditures, a $5.1 million deficit. Board member Wymer called it a vote of confidence in Dr. Witherspoon and his cabinet. And the superintendent search has community engagement dates: October 20th, 21st, and 22nd — your chance to have a voice in who leads this district next. The next board meeting is October 13th. DEC Signal will be there. DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.

  5. Sep 16

    September 14 Committee of the Whole Recap

    Monday's Committee of the Whole was one of the most consequential meetings of this school year. Interim Superintendent Dr. Eric Witherspoon presented a case for change — a comprehensive plan to end District 65's cycle of annual financial crisis rather than patch it one more year. The plan, to be presented in full on October 13th, includes approximately $20 million in reductions for FY28 and the closure of two additional schools. The financial picture is stark: enrollment has dropped 25% over the past decade, 75% of the budget is compensation growing at twice the rate of revenue, building occupancy sits at 64%, and without action the district's fund balance runs out by FY30. DEC President Kelly Post thanked Dr. Witherspoon and the cabinet for meeting with all five union presidents before decisions are made — and reaffirmed DEC's commitment to every child and every educator through whatever comes next. Community meetings are being scheduled at Chute, Haven, and Nichols. October 13th is the date to watch. DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.

  6. Sep 3

    School Is Back — And It's Off to a Great Start

    School is back in District 65 — and the first week was something worth celebrating. DEC President Kelly Post joined Interim Superintendent Dr. Eric Witherspoon and Jose Lema to visit all 17 District 65 schools during institute days, witnessing firsthand the pride educators bring to their work. On Monday night, all 17 principals came before the board to share first-week celebrations: 84 new students at Nichols, Miss Phipe named a national teacher of the year award winner, Washington's bilingual STEP program expanding to fourth grade, Lincolnwood welcoming a third of its student body as new families — many of them former Kingsley Comets — with circles and care. DEC's message to the board was simple: come into the schools. See what is happening in classrooms. The daily work of District 65 educators is the heartbeat of this community — and it deserves to be witnessed. The harder conversations about the budget and superintendent search are ahead. This week, the good news gets to land. DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.

  7. Aug 14

    Welcome Back: Dr. Witherspoon's Optimistic Outlook, FY26 Financial Review, Superintendent Search Underway

    A new school year begins — and District 65 has an interim leader who is choosing optimism. DEC President Kelly Post has heard Dr. Eric Witherspoon speak four times since July 1st, and the tone has been consistent: uplifting, grounded, and genuinely respectful of the educators, administrators, and community who make this district work. Monday night, Dr. Witherspoon told the board that the work done before him is good work — and his job is to build a comprehensive plan that finally addresses the structural deficit at its root. He's clear-eyed about the challenges and clear that this community is going to solve them. Also Monday: new CFO Eric Miller presented the FY26 year-end financial review — a $3.4 million operating deficit, 95 days cash on hand, and a $900,000 transportation savings already realized for FY27. The tentative FY27 budget comes August 31st. And the board heard presentations from three superintendent search firms — Alma Advisory Group, HYA, and IASB. A search firm will be selected at a special board meeting on August 17th. Community engagement — including educator voice — will be central to the search. DEC Signal will keep you informed as that process develops. DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.

  8. Aug 9 ·  Bonus

    Why DEC Membership Matters

    Why does DEC membership matter?  In this episode of DEC Signal, Carol Hennessy looks at the power behind collective bargaining, contract enforcement, workplace representation, and having a collective voice. As District 65 educators begin a new school year following school closures, reassignments, and significant change across the district, we look at why a strong union—and strong membership—matters. One educator has a voice. Hundreds of educators have leverage. This is your union. It works better when you're in it. DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.

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Ratings & Reviews

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About

DEC Signal is the weekly podcast for District 65 educators. In under five minutes, get what you need to know—and what you need to thrive. We cover what's happening in our district: staffing, budgets, school board decisions, and the issues affecting your classroom. But we also cover what helps you build a career: TRS pension and retirement planning, continuing education and endorsements, professional development opportunities, and how to advance in the profession. DEC Signal is about more than news. It's about why your union matters—how DEC and IEA fight for your salary, your benefits, your working conditions, and your voice. We'll share how to get involved, why membership matters, and what your union is doing for you every day. Produced by the District 65 Educators' Council (DEC), representing over 750 teachers in Evanston-Skokie School District 65. DEC is your union. This is your podcast. New episodes every Monday morning. Part of Signal Network, a product of The Signal Lab.

Information

  • Creator
    District 65 Educators Council
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 District 65 Educators' Council
  • Show Website
    DEC Signal

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