Board Notes - Regular Meeting for April 7, 2025

The Orange County Board of Education held a regular business meeting and annual budget public hearing on April 7, 2025.

View all the business items below here

Watch the April 7, 2025 meeting here

The Board posts all meeting materials to Simbli and also displays a calendar of Board and committee meetings on the OCS website. Visit the Board’s page on Simbli for agendas and minutes. Minutes are attached to each meeting, after approval by the Board at a future meeting.
 

RECOGNITIONS

Autism Awareness Month

Stacey Burns, Executive Director of Exceptional Children and Pre-K Services, recognized April as Autism Awareness Month. Autism Awareness Month provides meaningful opportunities to deepen our awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities. It’s a time to listen, learn, and embrace each person's unique abilities and perspectives. During this month, we aim to foster understanding, respect, and appreciation for individuals with disabilities by honoring their strengths, contributions, and the importance of genuine acceptance. 

National Assistant Principal Week

Orange County Schools joins the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in recognizing the unsung heroes of our public schools — our Assistant Principals who are counted on to contribute to schoolwide success every day.

Orange County Schools wishes to recognize our Assistant Principals:

• Wyn Payton and Heather Witherspoon, A.L. Stanback Middle School
• Dr. Bonnie Carmen, Kate Ellison, and Sam Wilkins, Cedar Ridge High School
• Christopher Palmer, Central Elementary School 
• Mark English, Efland-Cheeks Global Elementary School 
• Jordan Hope (interim), Grady A. Brown Elementary School 
• Intisar Hamidullah and John Wood, Gravelly Hill Middle School 
• Alexis Magill, Hillsborough Elementary School 
• Craig Dodson, New Hope Elementary School 
• Chris Campbell, Hunter Lancaster, and Robin Lowman, Orange High School
• Michelle Fournier and Ronnie Marshall, Orange Middle School 
• Jangi Hamby, Pathways Elementary School 
• Amanda Boleratz, River Park Elementary School
   

Superintendent Comments

During comments before the business agenda, Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones commended all the OCS Assistant Principals and thanked them for the many ways they tirelessly serve and support every student and staff member in Orange County Schools.

Dr. Jones also reported to the Board that Dr. Sheldon Lanier, Chief Equity and Student Achievement Officer, has recently completed the NC School Superintendents’ Association Aspiring Superintendent Cohort IX.

LOCAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING

Chief Finance Officer Rhonda Rath presented the FY 2026 Local Operating Budget, providing an opportunity for the community to provide public comment. 

Click here to view the full presentation

CONSENT AGENDA

The Board approved Consent Agenda items including meeting minutes, personnel report, quarterly budget report, technology updates, and a grant application.

 

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

FY 2026 Local Operating Budget Approval

Rhonda Rath, Chief Finance Officer presented the FY 2026 Local Operating Budget for Board Approval, following the recommendation at the March 24, 2025 Board of Education Meeting. 

Click here to view the full presentation

Update to Strategic Plan Priority 3

Jeffrey Koweek, Chief Human Resource Officer, provided updates to Strategic Plan Priority 3; Exemplary Staff, as a follow-up to the first presentation of this material on March 10, 2025.

Click here to view the full presentation