Board Notes — Regular Meeting for February 16, 2026

The Orange County Board of Education held a regular business meeting on February 16, 2026

View all the business items below here

Watch the February 16, 2026, 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

Black History Month (February)

In recognition of Black History Month, the Board acknowledges the significant contributions of Black Americans to our nation’s history. Established to highlight and honor these contributions, Black History Month has been officially recognized each February by every U.S. President since 1976. This observance honors the achievements, resilience, and impact of Black Americans throughout all periods of history, affirming that Black history is an integral part of American history. The Board remains committed to ensuring representation and inclusion for all students.

National SRO Appreciation Day  February 15, 2026

In recognition of National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day on February 15, the Board acknowledges and celebrates the dedicated School Resource Officers who serve Orange County Schools. This nationally recognized day honors SROs for their commitment to school safety and for building positive relationships between law enforcement and students. The Board extends its appreciation for their continued service and support of our school communities.

Our School Resource Officers
 

New National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) & Renewals

The Board proudly recognizes our newly certified and recently renewed National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs). National Board Certification is a rigorous, nationally recognized credential that strengthens teachers’ content knowledge, instructional practices, and ability to meet diverse student needs. Research shows that students taught by NBCTs demonstrate higher academic achievement, particularly in reading and math, and benefit from increased engagement and critical thinking.

In North Carolina, NBCTs receive a 12% salary supplement in recognition of their advanced certification and commitment to excellence. NBCTs also have higher retention rates than their peers, contributing to stability and continued success in our schools. The Board commends these educators for their dedication to professional growth and their positive impact on student outcomes. See all our new and renewing NBCT in Orange County Schools for 2026 here on our website!
 

National School Social Work Week (March 1-6, 2026)

The Board recognizes March 1–7, 2026, as National School Social Work Week. Observed annually during the first full week of March, this week honors the dedicated work of school social workers in supporting students, families, staff, and the broader school community. Sponsored by the School Social Work Association of America, the 2026 national theme, “Unite to Ignite: Celebrating Our Impact,” highlights the meaningful difference school social workers make in fostering positive and supportive learning environments.

North Carolina Home Builders Association (NCHBA) 2025 Construction Trades Teacher of the Year — Mr. Avery Pipkin

Congratulations to Mr. Avery Pipkin on being named the 2025 Trades Teacher of the Year by the North Carolina Home Builders Association. He was formally recognized at the Association’s Board Meeting in Wilmington on December 11, 2025.

Mr. Pipkin was nominated by Holly Fraccaro, President and CEO of the Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties Home Builders Association, for his leadership and impact as an instructor in the “Summer Careers Academy: Building Our Future” program from 2022–2025. Through this program, students gain hands-on experience and internships with local businesses, with many securing future employment.

This prestigious statewide honor reflects Mr. Pipkin’s dedication to career and technical education and is a proud achievement for Cedar Ridge High School and Orange County Schools.
 

In-Person Presentation of Grant Awards from January 26, 2026

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Digital Learning Initiative

Launched in 2017, the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan established a competitive grant program to support the creation and sharing of locally developed, innovative digital learning models. There were 64 applications for the 2025-2026 DLI Impact Grants, and OCS was one of five grants awarded. The grant provides $95,000 per year for 3 years. 

NC Teaching Fellows Pilot Grant

Orange County Schools has been awarded the NC Teaching Fellows Pilot Grant to partner with the NC Teaching Fellows Program in order to develop a sustainable pipeline of educators who reflect the diversity and excellence of our community. This partnership aligns with our commitment to recruiting, supporting, and retaining high-quality teachers, particularly in high-need areas, to ensure every student receives an equitable and exceptional education. By investing in aspiring educators, we aim to strengthen the teaching profession and inspire the next generation of teachers in Orange County Schools.
 

CONSENT AGENDA

The Board approved a modified Consent Agenda, including meeting minutes, personnel report, policy updates, and contracts.

One policy was removed from the consent agenda for referral back to the policy committee: Board Policy 7210. Two items were also pulled from the consent agenda for Board discussion: Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Approval and Approval of Design Services Contract with Kelso & Easter Inc. (dba. KEi Architects).
 

Superintendent Comments

• Dr. Danielle Jones opened her comments by addressing the recent inclement weather that impacted Orange County: “I want to thank our families and community members for your patience and understanding as we did recently experience several days of school cancellations.” 
• Dr. Jones commented on the status of the 2026-2031 OCS Strategic Plan development and the We Engage Phase: “We want to thank the many families and community members who have attended sessions and shared their feedback. Your voice is critical to this process. While we have asked for everyone's input to help shape the future of Orange County Schools, what we are truly shaping is something far greater — the future of our students and the strength of this community. Every voice that has spoken, every idea that has been shared, represents a belief that our students deserve more than an opportunity - they deserve excellence.”
• Dr. Jones also commented on the next phase of this process, the We Challenge phase: “In March, we will enter the We Challenge phase — a pivotal moment where we begin transforming the community's feedback into a focused, intentional strategic direction. As we move forward, I encourage us to think beyond isolated metrics and daily operational measures. Our new strategic plan must capture who we are at our core: a teaching and learning organization committed to unlocking the potential of every student.”
   

DISCUSSION/ACTION

Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Approval

The Capital Investment Plan Approval and Approval of Design Services Contract with Kelso and Easter, Inc. were removed from the consent agenda and discussed as an action item on the working agenda. Chief Operations Officer Fredrick Davis answered Board Member questions about the CIP Approval and Design Services Contract, which were approved with no further action required.
 

WORK SESSION (INFORMATION) ITEMS

Summer Programming Update

The Board received an update about the 2026 Summer Programming available to students. This initiative will provide targeted academic support, career exploration, and enrichment opportunities to help students close learning gaps, prepare for the next school year, and prevent summer learning loss.

Key offerings include: 

• Read to Achieve Camp
• High School Credit Recovery
• High School and Middle School Transition Support
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs and Internships
• Multilingual Bridge Camp 
• Multilingual STEM Camp
• Exceptional Children (EC) Programming
• YMCA Camp Crush

Programs will be offered at no cost to eligible students, with transportation provided to ensure equitable access. Services are designed to support historically marginalized groups, including multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Programming will be delivered by OCS staff and community partners, including the YMCA and The Carrboro Arts Center. Funding will include district resources, state and federal grants, and community partnerships to ensure effective and sustainable implementation.

Read the full presentation

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

NCBSA Legislative Committee Application Nomination

NCSBA encourages your local school board to nominate one of its members to serve as an at-large member on the NCSBA Legislative Committee. Individuals must be nominated by the end of March 2026 through a vote in open session during a school board meeting.  

After discussion, the Board nominated Bonnie Hauser to serve as an at-large member of the NCSBA Legislative Committee. This nomination will be sent to the NCSBA regional president to choose a Board Member to serve on the committee.