Evanston/Skokie District 65 chief financial officer Tamara Mitchell will step down June 30, 2026 according to an email she sent to district staff Thursday morning.
“This decision was made after thoughtful consideration,” she wrote in the email to staff, which was obtained by the RoundTable. “I remain deeply committed to ensuring a smooth and responsible transition and will continue to carry out my duties with the same level of professionalism, diligence, and care that I have brought to this role.”
Mitchell started at District 65 as the CFO in July 2024. Before that, she had worked in school district finance for more than 25 years, most recently at Joliet Public Schools District 86, according to her LinkedIn profile.
The district is facing significant financial strain as it needs to cut $10 million to $15 million to eliminate its structural deficit after running budget deficits for several straight years.
Mitchell has been responsible for leading cost-cutting efforts at the district over the past two years, including eliminating administrative positions and providing financial projections for proposed school closures.
“I am incredibly proud of the work accomplished during my time with District 65, particularly in advancing structural deficit reduction efforts, strengthening financial transparency, and supporting meaningful community-engaged planning during a period of significant challenge and change,” she wrote in the email to staff. She did not say if she was leaving for a position with another district.
Mitchell and District 65 spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.