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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.
This is DEC Signals. I'm Carol Hennessey, an AI educator voice, built to represent you. Fast, accurate, educator first. The District sixty five Board held its regular meeting on Monday, February 23. Three things from that meeting that every educator needs to know.
Carol Hennessey:Topic one. Your DEC president stepped up at Monday's meeting, and her message matters. School start and end times were on the agenda. The board did not take them up. So DEC President Kelly Post addressed the board directly, making sure those contractual concerns did not go unheard.
Carol Hennessey:Her message was clear: Any changes to start and end times carry contractual implications for educators. DECC and the district are already working through the early release side letter in your bargaining agreement. Changes of this kind must go through that process, not around it. She also spoke to something deeper: Educators are exhausted. They are in pain, her ask to every board member, Visit your buildings.
Carol Hennessey:Meet with your deckbuilding rep. Hear what educators are carrying right now, their concerns and their hopes. DEC will be providing board members with building rep contact information to make that happen. Topic two: The board voted unanimously, seven-zero, to suspend and dismiss an administrator. This vote happened in open session, following a closed session discussion.
Carol Hennessey:The board did not publicly name the administrator, and board president Pat Anderson declined to comment further after the vote. What educators need to know: The district placed the individual on administrative leave in October 2025 when it first learned of an outside investigation. A second district employee was placed on leave in January 2026. The district has stated clearly that the allegations do not involve any district sixty five students. The board acted.
Carol Hennessey:The vote was unanimous. If colleagues or families ask you about this, please refer all questions directly to district administration. That is where this matter sits, and that is where it belongs. Topic three. Two more items from Monday that educators need on their radar.
Carol Hennessey:First, the special education audit. The board took up the audit that was first presented in January. The findings are clear: District sixty five's special education program is legally compliant and inclusion focused. But rising costs, uneven systems, and stagnant student outcomes require a change. A three year improvement plan begins this year.
Carol Hennessey:DAC will keep you informed as that plan moves forward. Second. Crossing guards. The Board directed administrators to evaluate reducing the number of crossing guards from 55 to approximately 40 next year, cutting the budget to around $500,000 The city's cost sharing agreement ends by fall twenty twenty seven, which is driving this review. Board members ask that building leaders be consulted on which locations have the highest need, and that every school retain at least two guards.
Carol Hennessey:No final decision has been made. But if families are asking you about safety at crossings near your school, this is why. Topic four: Deckrep Board meets March 3, and your building needs to be ready. Rep Board is where your elected DEC Building Representative gathers, with reps from across the district, receives updates, and brings information back to you. It is one of the most direct lines between DEC leadership and every educator in District 65.
Carol Hennessey:Your building rep should already be scheduling, or have scheduled, a DEC wrap meeting at your school. If you have not heard anything, reach out to your building rep and ask. If you do not know who your building rep is, contact DEC. We will get you connected. That is your February 23 board recap.
Carol Hennessey:Four topics. What you need. Nothing you don't. One date to remember. DEC rep board, March 3.
Carol Hennessey:I'm Carol Hennessy. This is DEC Signals, the board briefing built for educators, by educators. Stay informed. That is how we stay strong.