Board Notes - Regular Meeting for June 23, 2025

Board Notes

Regular Meeting for June 23, 2025

 

The Orange County Board of Education held a regular business meeting on June 23, 2025.

View all the business items below here

Watch the June 23, 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

Graduation 2025

Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2025 are complete, celebrating 586 graduates across Orange County Schools. Ceremonies were held on the following schedule:

• Partnership Academy High School – June 6 at Cedar Ridge High School
• Orange High School – June 13 at the Dean E. Smith Center
• Cedar Ridge High School – June 13 at the Dean E. Smith Center

Graduates include 312 from Orange High, 255 from Cedar Ridge, and a record 19 from Partnership Academy. The Class of 2025 now moves on to college, careers, and military service, with many stories of achievement shared during the #OCSSeniorSpotlight campaign.

Visit the Graduation 2025 page for photo albums, student speeches, and additional content as it becomes available now including videos of all student speeches. Congratulations, graduates!

2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year Recognition- Mr. Jason Johnson

Jason Johnson, Principal of Orange High School, was named the 2024 Orange County Schools Principal of the Year and selected to represent the district in the statewide competition. On May 16, 2025, he was honored in Cary alongside other finalists and was announced as the 2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year, and we are proud to have him represent Orange County Schools, the North Central Region, and more than 2,500 principals across the state as an ambassador for all of North Carolina’s public schools!

CONSENT AGENDA

The Board approved Consent Agenda items, including meeting minutes, personnel report, financial updates, and policies referred by the committee for approval by the full Board. To learn how the Board considers and adopts new and updated Board Policies, see Board Policy 2410.

WORK SESSION (INFORMATION) ITEMS

Fiscal Year 2026 Final Budget Discussion

On April 29, 2025, Orange County Schools presented its local operating budget to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, with a Continuation budget request totaling $46,780,376. On June 3, 2025, the Commissioners adopted their intent to fund the FY 2026 school budget at $46,575,225, short of the requested continuation budget by $(205,151).

The Expansion Budget items requested as part of the FY 2026 budget were not approved for funding and will therefore not be implemented. Expansion items were:

• Increasing Certified Teacher Supplements
• Increasing Classified Supplement for the lowest band
• Increasing bus driver's hourly pay to match Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools

At this time, the FY 2026 State budget has not been finalized and approved. However, planning allotments have been released by the NC Department of Public Instruction, allowing local education agencies to begin planning for the 2025-2026 academic year. The district will set its State beginning budget at the planning allotment provided via the NC Department of Public Instruction. When the NC General Assembly releases its final budget and it becomes law, budget amendments will be provided for Board approval to align the OCS adopted FY 2026 budget with the FY2026 State budget.

Click here to view the full presentation

Summer Capital Projects Update

Orange County Schools is moving forward with key capital improvement and deferred maintenance projects this summer, including school renovations, HVAC and roofing upgrades, security enhancements, and essential maintenance across campuses. These efforts ensure facilities are safe, efficient, and ready for students and staff in August.

Our Capital Improvement Plan is a 10-year strategic, evolving framework that prioritizes urgent facility needs while supporting long-term goals for student success. Equity remains central, with decisions guided by safety, academic impact, and the creation of innovative learning environments.

Click here to view the full presentation

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

Bond Project Delivery Method Utilization/Educational Standards Discussion

Staff provided an overview of project delivery methods for school construction, including Design-Bid-Build, Construction Manager at Risk, Design-Build, and Public-Private Partnerships, discussing their benefits and challenges. 

Staff recommended the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) method based on its proven advantages in managing cost, schedule, and quality in complex public sector projects. This method allows for early collaboration between the construction manager and design team, helping to mitigate risk, enhance constructability, and deliver greater value to the district.

The Board voted in favor of the Construction Manager at Risk delivery method for the first major project to be funded by the 2024 school bond.

In addition, staff recommended that the Board adopt a target building utilization rate of 85–95% for educational facility planning, in alignment with industry best practices. For the proposed new K–5 school, staff further recommends setting the projected utilization at 90%. This ensures efficient use of space while maintaining flexibility for future enrollment changes.

The district continues to assess facility needs and explore design scenarios, with a focus on “right-sizing” the property portfolio to ensure efficient use of resources. The presentation also highlighted progress toward selecting the first bond-funded project to move into the design phase. The Board voted to table the decision on setting a target building utilization rate.

Click here to view the full presentation

Facility Rentals Proposed Fee Schedule for 2025-2026

Orange County Schools proposed updates to its facility rental fees for the first time since 2023. Rising operational costs—such as maintenance, staffing, and supplies—have made it increasingly difficult to sustain facility use under the current pricing model.

The updated proposal aims to align rates with those of neighboring districts while maintaining a fair, accessible, and community-friendly approach. These changes are designed to recover operational costs, simplify the rental process, and ensure facilities remain safe, well-maintained, and available for community use. Revenue generated will support academic programs, athletics, student enrichment, and long-term facility maintenance.

OCS remains committed to community engagement and will continue offering exemptions for historic partners and school personnel. The Board voted in favor of the proposed changes to facility rental fees effective with the 2025-2026 school year.

Click here to view the full presentation