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.
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.
16 Sept 2026
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.
3 Sept 2026
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.
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.
9 Aug 2026
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.
27 Jun 2026
Leadership Transition: New CFO Eric Miller, Interim Superintendent Dr. Witherspoon, Thank You Dr. Turner
Monday's board meeting marked the biggest leadership transition District 65 has seen in years. Eric Miller — a graduate of Walker, Chute, and Evanston Township High School — was appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective July 1st, bringing nearly 20 years of school finance experience home to the community that raised him. Dr. Eric Witherspoon, the former longtime superintendent of Evanston Township High School, was appointed interim superintendent through December 31st while the board launches a public search for District 65's next permanent leader. And Dr. Angel Turner's final day is June 30th. DEC also used Monday's meeting to highlight a year of joint committee work between educators and administration — work that DEC says must continue regardless of who leads next. DEC Signal will keep you informed as the superintendent search unfolds.
DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.
3 Jun 2026
June 1 Recap: Gender Support Team, Kingsley and Rhodes Next Steps, October Ahead — and Thank You
Monday's June 1st Committee of the Whole was the last board meeting of the school year — and this is the last DEC Signal episode before summer. Three things educators need to know. First, the board received an update on the Gender Advisory Team — District 65's Gender Support Plans for transgender and gender expansive students remain in effect. In the current national climate, educators should know their responsibilities: use students' names and pronouns, maintain confidentiality, and reach out to your building coordinator with questions. Second, Kingsley Elementary and Bessie Rhodes both close Friday, June 5th. The board discussed four options for each building — retain, lease, sell, or repurpose. No decisions made. Bessie Rhodes is already projected at $4 million on the FY27 balance sheet, needed for Foster School construction. Kingsley is valued at $4.5 to $5.5 million with the City of Evanston among interested parties. Third, the board began early-stage discussion on alternative approaches to the structural deficit. October is coming — and with it, the Lincolnwood decision point. DEC remains at the table. And to every District 65 educator ending this school year: you kept teaching through everything. Summer is yours. Rest well.
DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.
21 May 2026
End of Year Recap: New Board Leadership, Kingsley and Rhodes Next Steps, Thank You
Monday, May 18th, the board meeting was the last regular meeting of the school year. Nichole Pinkard was elected board president and Chris Van Nostrand vice president, each by a 4-3 vote. The board discussed the futures of Kingsley and Bessie Rhodes following their end-of-year closures. Six organizations have expressed interest in Bessie Rhodes — including ETHS for a therapeutic day school — with an appraised value of $4.7 million, proceeds needed to close out Foster School construction. The City of Evanston is considering Kingsley for a new police and fire administrative headquarters, assessed at $3.5 to $4.5 million. No decisions were made. Community feedback sessions are scheduled at Kingsley on May 27th and Rhodes on May 28th at 6:30 p.m. DEC President Kelly Post closed the year by honoring retiring educators — more than 300 combined years of service — and the educators who kept teaching through one of the hardest years in this district's recent history. Rest well this summer. You have earned it.
DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.
5 May 2026
May 4 Recap: DEC Stands for SACC Colleagues and Budget Gap Closed
This week's DEC Signal opens with a genuine win: Superintendent Turner announced the reinstatement of middle school librarians before Monday's meeting even began. The formal vote is May 18th — placement notifications by May 22nd per the CBA. The community showed up four weeks in a row, and it made a difference. DEC President Kelly Post used Monday's meeting to stand alongside EACCP colleagues in the School Age Child Care program, whose before and after-school work is essential to working families. The board voted to keep SACC intact for 2026-27, not initiate closure, and renegotiate the Right at School contract fee. On the budget: the board reached consensus on approximately $969,000 in reductions — clearing the $635,000 gap with room to absorb the librarian reinstatement costs. The plan includes technology savings ($312,500), retracting two hazardous bus routes ($160,000), reducing the crossing guard budget ($100,000), keeping the FACE liaison vacancy closed ($96,876), and reducing capex to $2.4M ($300,000). Preschool transportation stays for FY27. AVID stays. The five active FACE liaisons stay. And for special education educators, the joint committee SpEd workload plan rolls out next school year. May 18th is the next board meeting. Be there.
DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.
21 Apr 2026
April 20 Recap: Librarians Fight Continues, Board Closes $635K Budget Gap — Here's How
Monday's District 65 board meeting was the second consecutive week of community testimony — this time, over 60 people spoke in defense of middle school librarians. DEC President Kelly Post made clear: our students did not create this budget crisis and should not absorb its consequences. But unlike the counselor decision two weeks ago, this one is administrative — not a board vote — which means the board cannot reverse it. The savings: $387,631. The library programs end. The board committed to continuing the conversation. On the budget: the board reached consensus on how to close the remaining $635,000 gap — retracting two hazardous bus routes ($160K), reducing crossing guard spending ($100K), implementing a sliding scale for general education busing (~$100K, still uncertain), and reducing capital expenditure spending by $300K. That capex reduction triggers the January 9th resolution benchmarks, meaning Lincolnwood closure is back on the table if financial targets aren't met by October. Preschool transportation and FACE liaison positions remain unresolved. Superintendent Turner warned that classroom-level services can no longer be protected from cuts. The next major decision point is October.
DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.
14 Apr 2026
The Community Saved Seven Counselors — Here's What Happened at Monday's Board Meeting
Monday night, the District 65 community showed up — and changed an outcome. After all nine middle school counselors received RIF notices last Thursday, DEC, educators, parents, and students filled the boardroom and made their case. The board voted 5-2 to retain seven counselors and eliminate two, with the two no votes coming from board members who didn't want to cut any positions at all. Starting this fall, Haven, Nichols, and Chute will each have two counselors; King Arts will have one. Seven counselors will be there for students in September because the community spoke together. The honest context: keeping seven instead of nine saves $190,000 instead of $800,000, and the gap must come from somewhere. The board presented a $5.9 million FY27 budget reduction plan — no final decisions made on where remaining cuts will fall. The next board meeting is April 20th.
DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.
24 Mar 2026
March 23 Board Recap: iPads Approved 5-2, DEC Advocates for Closing School Educators, Facility Plan Released
Monday's District 65 Regular Board Meeting delivered a resolution on three fronts educators have been watching. The board voted 5-2 to approve 1,231 iPads and keyboard cases totaling $528,279 — maintaining the one-to-one model with a smaller, enrollment-optimized purchase. The cart-sharing alternatives would have cost more, not less. Devices will be provisioned this spring for the 2026-27 school year. DEC President Kelly Post addressed the board on behalf of educators at closing schools — Kingsley, Bessie Rhodes, and the Willard TWI strand — who are now facing the task of packing entire teaching spaces without doing so in front of students. DEC is actively advocating for per diem compensation on June 8th and 9th. And the district's long-awaited Combined Master Facility Plan and 10-Year Health Life Safety Plan was presented — a document that will shape building decisions and educator working conditions for the next decade. DEC Signal has the full recap.
DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.
13 Mar 2026
Special Edition: Vote Tuesday March 17 — and What IEA Is Fighting for in Springfield
Illinois General Primary is Tuesday, March 17th — and the legislators on your ballot are deciding the future of educator evaluations, pension protections, and workplace rights. This special edition of DEC Signal gives you five voter resources your Region 41 colleagues pulled together, plus four IEA Spring 2026 legislative initiatives every District 65 educator should know: AI in evaluations, Notice to Remedy parameters, special education workload limits, and student growth in evaluations. On that last one — District 65 has already agreed to remove student growth from evaluations starting next year. SB2913 would extend that same protection to educators across Illinois. Know your ballot. Cast your vote. Stay engaged.
Voter Resources:
https://www.vote411.org (https://www.vote411.org)
https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page (https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page)
https://www.girliguess.com/ (https://www.girliguess.com/)
https://votesaveamerica.com/ (https://votesaveamerica.com/)
https://www.270towin.com/ (https://www.270towin.com/)
DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.
10 Mar 2026
March 9 Board Recap: iPad Vote Expected March 23, April 10 Purchase Deadline, SpEd Reaffirmed
Monday's District 65 Committee of the Whole was dominated by a major technology discussion — and it has direct implications for educators. The board reviewed a $551,000 proposal to purchase 1,300 iPads for incoming first and fifth graders, debated the merits of a K-2 shared cart model, and asked the administration to return with a cost analysis and student outcomes data before any vote. That vote is expected at the March 23rd board meeting — though not confirmed. Also Monday: the district announced an April 10th purchase order cutoff — educators need to get supply and materials requests in before that date. And following significant public comment, the board reaffirmed its commitment to special education services for every student with an IEP. DEC Signals has the full recap.
DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.
4 Mar 2026
What Is the IEA Representative Assembly — And Why It Matters for You
The 172nd IEA Representative Assembly convenes March 12-14 in Rosemont — and every DEC member should know what it is and why it matters. The RA is IEA's governing body: where elected delegates from across Illinois debate and vote on the budget, bylaws, legislative priorities, pension policy, and union leadership for the coming year. This episode breaks down what actually happens across three days and five business sessions, what professional development and open hearings are available, and how the decisions made in that room shape your contract, your benefits, and your working conditions right here in District 65. DEC delegates will be on the floor representing you — and after the RA, DEC Signals will bring you the full recap.
Your union. Your voice. In action.
DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.
24 Feb 2026
Feb. 23 Board Recap: DEC President Speaks Up, Administrator Dismissed, SpEd Audit, Rep Board March 3
Four things educators need to know from the February 23rd District 65 Regular Board Meeting. School start and end times were on the agenda but the board didn't take them up — so DEC President Kelly Post stepped in and addressed contractual concerns directly, and spoke to what exhausted educators need from board members right now. The board voted 7-0 to suspend and dismiss an administrator; the district has confirmed no District 65 students were involved. The special education audit is in — a three-year improvement plan starts this year, and if you work with IEP students, changes are coming. And crossing guard cuts are being evaluated — 55 guards could drop to 40, with a final decision still ahead. Plus: DEC Rep Board is March 3rd, and your building rep should be scheduling your school meeting now.
Board recap. Four minutes. Done.
DEC Signal is produced by the District 65 Educators' Council in partnership with The Signal Lab.
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