In yet another administrative change in a school year marked by dramatic budget cuts and staff turnover to address an onerous financial deficit, the Evanston-Skokie District 65 Board voted June 22 in favor of a “mutual separation agreement” with its superintendent, Angel Turner.
Turner will leave her leadership position next week — a year prior to her contract’s expiration date of June 30, 2027, according to the Board. Her last day with the district is June 30.
The full separation agreement is expected to be posted on the district’s website by the end of the day, June 23, the Board said Monday.
No definitive reason was provided at the Board meeting as to why the district was choosing to cut ties with Turner, but a former Board member criticized the current Board for its treatment of Turner, and several Board members alluded to the financial woes of the district driving the decision.
“This is an unfortunate situation we’ve gotten ourselves into, and as a Board, I believe that voting ‘yes’ on this helps move us forward, but it says nothing about your leadership, [Angel], because I do think that you were the right superintendent for us,” said Board member Mya Wilkins.
“I know that this is a loss for us as a district and a loss for the students in this district, and I wish you well in your future endeavors.”
“It’s simple math, our actions have led to this moment,” Board member Andrew Wymer voiced to his colleagues and a room filled with district parents and staff members Monday.
“This was a hard financial decision that reflects some points of learning, potential learning for us as a Board.”
Wymer added that this could be the “last time in a generation” the district has an all-female leadership team. He was the sole dissenting vote on Turner’s separation agreement.
Turner will join several other cabinet-level administrators who have announced their resignations from the district following the end of the 2025-26 school year, including district Chief Financial Officer Tamara Mitchell, Assistant Superintendent Katie Speth and Director of Schools Management Charmekia McCoy.
Turner did not immediately respond to a Pioneer Press request for comment regarding the mutual separation agreement or the reason for her departure.
In a tearful address regarding her seemingly involuntary resignation as superintendent, Turner said to community members that serving in the role “has been an honor” for which she will “forever be grateful.”
“Three years ago, on July 1, 2023, the school Board, at that time, placed their trust in me to step in and serve as the interim superintendent,” Turner said.
“Nine months later, that same Board voted to make my leadership permanent. I will forever be grateful for their belief in me and my team. I am profoundly grateful to God for giving me this assignment,” she said while standing at the public comment podium.
Turner succeeded former District 65 superintendent Devon Horton, who later became embroiled in controversy after federal prosecutors in Chicago brought forward charges against him in October for an alleged kickback scheme and misappropriation of district funds.
In January, Horton was arrested by police in DeKalb County, Georgia, for aggravated assault following a “verbal dispute” with his wife that turned physical, according to previous reports.
Horton served as then-superintendent of the DeKalb County School District following his departure from District 65 in 2023.
“When I look back at what we have accomplished over the past three years, I am incredibly proud of how we stabilized, restructured and elevated this district,” Turner continued.
“Together, we did what many thought was impossible. We paired aggressive fiscal responsibility with an uncompromised focus on student achievement.”
Turner went on to thank her family, fellow cabinet team members, many District 65 administrators and parents of current students.
“As I step away on June 30, I do so knowing that the foundation of District 65 is stronger, more transparent, and more resilient than it was three years ago. I am walking away with profound peace, knowing that we faced the deficit head on, centralized our systems, protected the classroom, and kept our children at the center of every single debate, disagreement and decision,” she said.
“I am proudly and gladly passing the baton to the next leader of this district.”
Newly elected District 65 Board President Nichole Pinkard read a statement addressing the leadership change on Monday, expressing gratitude for Turner for her “service” to the district and for stepping into a “challenging environment” in which she “immediately identified a looming financial crisis with quick thinking and decisive action.”
“Dr. Turner subsequently launched an ambitious deficit-reduction process that resulted in significant operational savings. Her efforts also led to improved financial transparency, long-term planning, and operational sustainability,” Pinkard said.
But the Board’s focus on Turner’s accomplishments were sharply contrasted by district criticisms from parents and community members, who spoke of their dissent regarding the mutual separation agreement.
“I want to open with an apology to Dr. Turner,” said Terri Shepard, who identified herself as a former District 65 Board member and chair of the education committee of Evanston’s NAACP.
“I want to apologize for the treatment you have been given by both Black and white Evanston residents. You have been under attack since your appointment…I know the Board is your boss. If there were issues, those problems should have been taken up by them,” Shepard said.
Jacob Carlin, a member of the “Legion of Data Nerds,” a grassroots group of concerned District 65 parents with data expertise, said he hopes the Board acknowledges that this is a “moment that demands swift action to prioritize student outcomes, achieve financial stability and restore the community’s trust.”
While the Board will begin seeking proposals for a search firm to appoint a new permanent superintendent, district leaders announced at the close of their June 22 meeting that former superintendent of Evanston Township High School Eric Witherspoon will come out of retirement to serve as the interim leader beginning July 1.
Witherspoon will assume the leadership role until Dec. 31, due to a 100-day term limit for retired former administrators to serve as interims. Witherspoon served as ETHS superintendent from 2006 until his retirement in 2022.
“As a longtime member of the Evanston community, Dr. Witherspoon brings deep familiarity with the students, families, schools, and community partners that make Evanston/Skokie unique,” Pinkard and Board Vice President Chris Van Nostrand wrote to families Monday night.
“His extensive leadership experience and longstanding relationships across the community provide valuable continuity and insight as he supports the district during this transition.”
Leadership also unanimously voted Monday on the appointment of Eric Miller, former assistant superintendent for business services at Glenview Public School District 34, as the district’s new chief financial officer.
Miller served in his former Glenview role from 2015 to April 2026, according to the district.
He will assume the new position, alongside Witherspoon, beginning July 1.
