Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Department will be managing youth sports programming for the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 with the transition beginning this school year.
The move comes after the district chose not to hire on a full-time enrichment coordinator as the district attempts to tackle a $10 million budget deficit in 2024 following a $7 million deficit in 2023. The partnership hopes to increase access to youth athletics, per a news release from the city.
The program will focus on 3rd through 5th grade elementary school students in its first year with plans to expand to middle school students for the 2025-2026 school year, according to a memo to the D65 School Board.
D65 students, regardless of where they live, will be able to sign up for flag football and cross country beginning on Aug. 12 with sign ups for winter and spring sports forthcoming. Those sports will include basketball, cheerleading, soccer, tennis and track and field.
“Our job is really to focus on educating children. To navigate the sports side of it when we don’t have the expertise as much as Parks and Rec has, it’s exciting to be able to lean into that,” D65 Superintendent Angel Turner told the board at its Aug. 5 meeting. “What’s most important is that we all service the same children so this just helps to be consistent in the beliefs and values we have.”
Locations and schedules will likely remain the same as the district primarily used Park District property for its programs, according to Assistant Superintendent of Safety, Climate and Athletics at D65 Terrance Little.
“We are that bridge so we’re still there to support families … because that’s what we do best,” Little said. “The athletic part of it we’re still leaving with the Park District.”
Board Member Omar Salem pitched the possibility of incorporating intramural sports for students who don’t make the competition teams. Turner liked the idea, saying it exemplifies the need for continued conversations with Parks and Rec to further build out the program.
Several board members expressed concern about the change possibly impacting costs for families but Little explained families who qualify for free and reduced-price meals will be given assistance to keep the programs at zero cost to those in need. Grant funding will cover anywhere from 25% to 75% of the fees for those students with the district picking up the remaining costs, explained Little.
Even with this cost, he expects the district to save money by not having to pay athletic directors, coaches and various staff at games. A full cost-benefit analysis won’t be available until after season wraps for each sport.
Sports registration costs will vary anywhere from $20 to $55 for full paying students and would cover everything needed for them to participate.
Registration for fall sports runs through Sept. 9 and can be completed online.