February 18, 2025

District 65 approves e-learning plan that could end snow days

District 65 approves e-learning plan that could end snow days


Snow days and extended school years that alter summer schedules may become obsolete in District 65’s near future, thanks to e-learning opportunities that were developed during the pandemic.

A January snowfall in Evanston. Snow days may soon be a thing of the past for District 65. (RoundTable file photo)

At Monday’s Board meeting, the proposed e-learning plan was unanimously approved for submission to the State for final approval. Board President Anya Tanyavutti explained that the “plan allows for the implementation of e-learning days when school is unexpectedly closed in the event of snow or other weather-related events, and in lieu of using an emergency make-up day.”

Board member Joseph Hailpern sought clarification from Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Stacy Beardsley on a few points before the vote, including, “When do you determine when to do the e-learning day versus take the emergency day at the back end?” He also questioned how to support students who struggled with e-learning last year and “How many days is OK” to have e-learning.

District 65 approves e-learning plan that could end snow days