Board Notes - Regular Meeting for May 5, 2025
The Orange County Board of Education held a regular business meeting on May 5, 2025.
View all the business items below here
Watch the May 5, 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
Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9, 2025)
This week, in recognition of all that teachers do, schools and supporters are finding meaningful ways to say thank you, with treats, tokens of appreciation, kind messages, and shout-outs across social media.
Click here to view Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones’ message to all educators
School Lunch Hero Day, May 5, 2025
School Lunch Hero Day, celebrated on the first Friday in May, recognizes the vital work of school nutrition professionals who support student health and learning every day. Founded by Lunch Lady author Jarrett Krosoczka and supported by the School Nutrition Association, the day is a chance for schools and communities to thank the staff who ensure students receive nutritious, well-balanced meals.
Left to Right: School Nutrition Services staff Carolyn McEachern of Central Elementary School and Sara Pitts, OCS Director
These dedicated team members promote healthy eating, accommodate dietary needs, and help create a welcoming cafeteria environment.
The Board extends its sincere appreciation to our school nutrition teams for their care, commitment, and professionalism and encourages everyone to join in honoring these everyday heroes.
School Nurses’ Appreciation Day, May 7, 2025
National School Nurses’ Day honors the critical role school nurses have played since 1972 in safeguarding student health. From managing chronic conditions to connecting families with care, their work helps ensure students are healthy, safe, and supported every day.
School Nurses and School Health Technicians join the Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones to be recognized
Mental Health Awareness Month
Established in 1999, Mental Health Awareness Month raises awareness of the challenges faced by those living with mental health conditions and promotes the importance of mental well-being. Organizations like SAMHSA and NAMI mark the month by offering resources, encouraging recovery, and advocating for greater public understanding and support.
From May 4 through May 10, OCS is also recognizing Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and everyone is invited to wear green on May 8 in support of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.
The work of supporting mental health is not limited to one month—it’s a year-round commitment. With efforts across the district grounded in increasing care, consistency, and community, staff thanked the Board and leadership team for their continued support in prioritizing the mental wellness of every member of our school community.
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.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Update & Local Application Year 2 (Statement of Assurances Approval)
Curriculum and Instruction staff provide an update on Career and Technical Education programs and request the authorization for the Board Chair, Superintendent, Chief Finance Officer, and CTE Director to sign Year 2 of CTE Local Application Assurances for CTE Local Application 2024-2026.
CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) advisors and students participating in national competitions join the Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones, and Career and Technical Education Director Shannon Braxton to be recognized.
The application is a necessary part of the State Board of Education’s accountability to the General Assembly of North Carolina and the United States Department of Education.
Click here to view the full presentation
WORK SESSION (INFORMATION) ITEMS
Teacher of The Year Roundtable Update
Mariah Morris, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Teresa Rogers-Thorpe, 2024-2025 OCS Teacher of the Year, presented data and a year-end report from the Superintendent’s Teacher of the Year Roundtable for 2024-2025. This yearly cohort of teacher leaders and district leadership collaborate on issues pertaining to teacher recruitment and retention, school culture, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Click here to view the full presentation
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
Academically Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Programming Update and 2025-2028 Plan Approval
Dr. Julie Pack and Emily Myers provided an update on the AIG program and request OCS Board of Education approval for the 2025-2028 Gifted Plan. Board approval is required ahead of the plan submission to the Department of Public Instruction.
Click here to view the full presentation
Board Policy 2300 - Board Meetings - First Read
The Superintendent recommended approving Policy 2300 - Board Meetings on first reading with a request to waive the second reading.
Click here to review this policy
Bond Update
Chief Operations Officer Fredrick Davis, Director of Construction Capital Planning Patrick Florence, and Steve Hess of PMCNC provide updates on the Orange County Schools Bond Projects.
Click below for the schedule of Board and Board Committee meetings.
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