Board Notes - Special Called Meeting for March 24, 2026

Board Notes

Special Called Meeting for March 24, 2026

The Orange County Board of Education held a Special Called Meeting on March 24, 2026. This Special Called Meeting replaced the Regular Business Meeting originally scheduled for March 16, which was canceled due to inclement weather.

View all the business items below here

Watch the March 24, 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

2025-2026 Spelling Bee Winners

Orange County Schools recognized the ten OCS Spelling Bee Champions who represented their schools and the district at the Duke Regional Spelling Bee on February 28, 2026. Each year, all OCS students in grades 3–8 have the opportunity to participate in the Spelling Bee, beginning with classroom competitions held in November and December, followed by school-level Bees in January. 

The ten school champions advanced to the regional competition for a chance to qualify for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. 

• Meet our Spelling Bee Champions: 
• Mariam Kamal, A.L. Stanback Middle School 
• Alma Winton, Central Elementary School 
• Adrian Lopez Sabio, Elfand-Cheeks Global Elementary School 
• Omar De Los Santos, Grady A. Brown Middle School 
• Hadley Barker, Gravelly Hill Middle School 
• Brandon Earnhardt, Hillsborough Elementary School 
• Audrey Little, New Hope Elementary School 
• Mikyah McLeod, Orange Middle School
• Christopher Jordan, Pathways Elementary School 
• Nico Staples, River Park Elementary School

 

See photos of the Orange County Schools Spelling Bee Winners (Presentation)

Recognition of Mrs. Gayane Chambless, Program Director, Orange Partnership for Alcohol & Drug Free Youth

Orange County Schools recognized Mrs. Gayane Chambless for her longstanding partnership and contributions to student substance use prevention through the Orange Partnership. 

Mrs. Gayane Chambless has served as the Program Director for the Orange Partnership for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth for more than 15 years, dedicating herself to collaborating with Orange County Schools to provide drug and alcohol prevention and intervention services to students and families across every school in the district. Among her many contributions, Mrs. Chambless was instrumental in building the Orange Partnership coalition — bringing together agencies and organizations from across the county — and in championing the ADAPT program.

Her dedication also helped establish and sustain the formal agreement between OCS and Orange Partnership, ensuring that these critical services remained a consistent and reliable resource for our community. Through her tireless work and unwavering advocacy, she has been an invaluable partner to OCS and a true champion for the well-being of our students. As she transitions into a well-deserved retirement, we are honored to recognize her outstanding contributions and celebrate the remarkable legacy she leaves behind.

OCS Disability Acceptance Week & Disability Awareness Month

Orange County Schools recognized Disability Acceptance Week and Disability Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of fostering understanding, respect, and appreciation for individuals with disabilities. 

“Tonight we celebrate the students and adults who inspire us daily,” Stacey Burns, Executive Director of Exceptional Children and Pre-K Services said. “We celebrate the adults they are becoming and we affirm our commitment to a future where inclusion is not an initiative, it is who we are.”  

CONSENT AGENDA

The Board approved Consent Agenda items, including meeting minutes, personnel report, policies, and contracts.

Superintendent Comments

• Dr. Jones began her comments by recognizing Dr. Julie Pack, Chief Academic Officer for her recent graduation from the 10th cohort of the North Carolina School Superintendents Association’s Aspiring Superintendents Program: “This accomplishment reflects her strong leadership, commitment to public education, and dedication to continuous growth in service of our students, staff, and this community.”
• Next, Dr. Jones commented on the upcoming OCS Job Fair in April, with both a virtual and in-person option: “This dual approach allows us to reach a broader and more diverse pool of candidates as we work to recruit talented, committed educators. Attracting and retaining high-quality professionals remains one of our most important priorities.”
• Dr. Jones commented on the progress on the design of the new OCS Elementary School: “This work represents a significant investment in our community and our future. We have invited our community to provide their input to ensure this school is not only modern and functional, but also reflective of our community’s educational values.” 
• Lastly, Dr. Jones commented on the presentation of the Budget Request: “At the center of this conversation is our unwavering belief that our staff deserve to be compensated in a way that reflects their professionalism, dedication, and impact.”

WORK SESSION (INFORMATION) ITEMS

Staffing Update/Strategic Plan Priority 3 Update

The Board received an update on Spring 2026 staffing, including current staffing levels, vacancies, and new recruitment and retention strategies for the upcoming school year. The presentation highlighted the importance of using staffing data to support retention efforts and ensure that experienced, highly qualified teachers remain in classrooms. District leaders emphasized that stable staffing plays a critical role in supporting student outcomes and maintaining consistent learning environments.

View the 2026 Spring HR Board Presentation - Priority 3 Update

FY 2027 Superintendent’s Recommended Local Operating Budget

Chief Finance Officer Rhonda Rath presented the Superintendent’s Recommended Local Operating Budget to the Board. Following this presentation, the Board will be able to provide feedback which staff will then consider before the budget is brought back to the Board for approval in April. The Budget will then be presented to the Board of County Commissions on April 30. 

View the FY 2027 Superintendent’s Recommended Local Operating Budget (Presentation)