I took advantage of our Spring Break week and stepped away from school board work for a while, including posting this newsletter summary of the most recent school board meeting.
TL; DR
The board
approved a policy review cycle process.
reviewed and discussed the 2027-2028 school year calendar.
reviewed and discussed the Division of Operations ROI (Return on Investment) and the Subsequent 2026 Custodial RFP (Request for Proposal).
reviewed and discussed the Board of Education’s FY 2026-27 Local Operating Budget Request.
reviewed and discussed the FY 2026-2036 Capital Investment Plan (CIP).
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The first agenda action item was to approve a policy review cycle process. CHCCS has 350 total policies and the board’s Policy Committee reviews them in a cyclical fashion. Sometimes policies are reviewed and no changes are recommended. When a policy has been reviewed, a content specialist or a member of the district leadership team reviews the policy to ensure it is in keeping with our current policy. It is important to document that these policies have undergone administrative and Committee review, even when no modifications are proposed.
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The next agenda item was Board of Education Feedback on the 2027-2028 Traditional Calendar. In previous years, the administration, in conjunction with the calendar committee, presented a two-year calendar for adoption by the Board of Education. The most recent cycle occurred with the approval of the 2024–25 and 2025–26 calendars on February 15, 2024. During that process, several stakeholder groups recommended that the committee continue preparing calendars two years in advance to support more effective family and caregiver planning. As a result of this feedback, the calendar committee now convenes annually and presents a single traditional-year calendar that projects two years into the future. Click HERE for the meeting agenda and then scroll down to Item 7a.
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Next up was Board of Education Feedback on the Division of Operations ROI (Return on Investment) and the Subsequent 2026 Custodial RFP (Request for Proposal).
BACKGROUND (copy and pasted from meeting Abstract):
In an effort to align the Operations Division with the district’s fiscal priorities, the leadership team continues to carefully analyze and optimize the services provided, both in-house and through contracted partners. We recognize that any adjustments to operational services can have a direct impact on our schools and staff, and we approach this work with thoughtful consideration and respect for the individuals involved. For more than a decade, the district has contracted evening custodial services in addition to the daytime custodial services performed by district employees. As we review these practices, we are evaluating how to best align our service model with the division’s core values of providing cost-effective, efficient, and high-quality support to our schools. The upcoming RFP will reflect these values while also seeking opportunities to reduce the overall cost of services in a responsible and sustainable manner. Our goal is to ensure that we remain good stewards of district resources while continuing to support safe, clean, and welcoming learning environments for students and staff.
The board received and discussed the proposed process, subject to final review and approval.
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The next item was Board of Education’s FY 2026-27 Local Operating Budget Request.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this work session and public hearing was to gather additional feedback and direction from the Board of Education on the Superintendent’s FY 2026-27 Proposed Local Operating Budget Request. This process aims to refine the Board’s Budget Request and establish a finalized budget framework for review at the Board of Education work session on April 9th (this Thursday). The Board will then have the opportunity to ratify the request at its April 16, 2026, meeting. Once approved, the budget request will be presented to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners at the joint meeting on April 23, 2026, for consideration in their FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget.
BACKGROUND: On March 5, 2026, the Superintendent and Senior District Administration presented the FY 2026–27 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget to the Board of Education. Following that work session and public hearing, and an additional work session scheduled for April 9, 2026, District Administration will incorporate any additional feedback from the Board into the finalized Official Budget Request. The finalized request will be presented to the Board for discussion and action at the April 16, 2026, Board meeting. Upon reaching consensus, the Board will vote to adopt the official budget document for submission to the County Commissioners. The continuation cost portion of the Superintendent’s Budget Request has remained unchanged since the initial presentation. Subsequent to that presentation, the District received planning allotments from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) for the State Public School Fund for FY 2026–27. The Superintendent’s Recommended Budget included estimated reductions in state revenues totaling approximately $2.43 million. District Administration also presented projected staffing adjustments associated with anticipated student enrollment declines for the upcoming school year. Those staffing adjustments were estimated to generate approximately $1.93 million in savings, leaving an estimated $500,000 gap in the request. The planning allotments provided by NCDPI indicate an expected reduction of just under $1.9 million in state funding. Based on these updated figures, the projected staffing adjustments are sufficient to fully offset the anticipated reduction in state funding for FY 2026–27.
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The final agenda item was Introduction of the FY 2026-2036 Capital Investment Plan (CIP). BACKGROUND: The Board of Education receives a recommendation of the 10-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP) annually. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) and Orange County Schools collaborated with Orange County to develop a 10-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP) to address school facility needs. Based on North Carolina law § 115C-408(b), it is the policy of the State of North Carolina that the facilities requirements for a public education system be met by county governments. In March 2023, the County hired Woolpert, a consulting firm, to assess school conditions and propose long-term capital improvements. Woolpert recommended a $1 billion investment over 10 years. The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) proceeded with a $300 million bond referendum and an additional $100 million in “pay-go” funding. Voters approved the bond on November 5, 2025, enabling critical school infrastructure projects.
The reader is advised to review the presentation and ABSTRACT information by clicking HERE and scrolling down to Item 8b.
The Abstract addressed the following items:
1. Bond Implementation & School Priorities
2. Major Project Funding & Phases
3. Capital Spending Categories as Defined by the BoCC
4. BoCC Allocation
5. Inter-Local Agreement Overview
Purpose and Background
Governance Structure
Project Selection and Oversight
Roles and Responsibilities
Financial and Legal Protections
Term and Termination
Key Outcomes
6. BoCC Oversight and Amendment
7. Emergencies
8. Enrollment and Capacity
9. Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools 2026-27 Budget Development Calendar
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