Evanston/Skokie District 65 Chief School Business Officer and Business Manager Kathy Zalewski has announced her resignation at the end of this school year. Zalewski has been with the district’s business office for 23 years, starting in May 2001. Her final day in the position will be June 28 as confirmed by District 65 spokesperson Hannah Dillow. The district expressed gratitude for Zalewski’s contributions over the years and wished her success in her future endeavors while assuring a smooth transition with her departure.
With Zalewski’s exit, District 65 will need to find a new chief financial officer and business manager during the summer. The CFO position has been vacant since August 2023 when Raphael Obafemi left to join Oswego District 308. The departure of Zalewski is part of a trend of administrators leaving District 65 over the past year, following the resignations of various key personnel including former Superintendent Devon Horton, Dean of Culture and Climate Elijah Palmer, and others. The district is actively seeking replacements for these positions to ensure continuity in operations.
During a recent public hearing regarding the potential closure of Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, former board member Rebeca Mendoza expressed gratitude towards Zalewski for her two decades of service to District 65. Mendoza also voiced concerns about the financial future of the district given the upcoming departures of key personnel and the absence of continuity in the planning process for new school initiatives. Despite these challenges, the district is working with financial advisors to manage financial matters effectively during this transition period.
Zalewski’s tenure with District 65 has been marked by significant achievements in managing budgets, supporting staff development, and ensuring compliance with state regulations. She played an important role in implementing various programs that have benefited students and teachers alike.
The departure of key personnel like Zalewski raises questions about leadership stability within District 65. However, it is important to note that these departures are not necessarily indicative of any problems within