Board Notes - Regular Meeting for November 17, 2025

View all the business items below here

Watch the November 17, 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

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native Americans across the United States. Honoring this month encourages awareness, understanding, and appreciation of Indigenous communities while supporting efforts to create inclusive, equitable, and affirming spaces for all.

Exceptional Children (EC) Teacher of Excellence 2025

Congratulations to Ms. Alli Couch, Exceptional Children’s teacher at River Park Elementary School, selected as the NC DPI Educator of Excellence for 2025 in Orange County Schools! 
 

This honor recognizes her outstanding dedication, innovation, and compassion in supporting students with disabilities. Ms. Couch’s commitment to helping every student reach their full potential exemplifies excellence in education.

National Career Development Month

November is National Career Development Month, as recognized by the National Career Development Association (NCDA). This month highlights the vital role educators, counselors, and Career Development Coordinators play in helping students explore interests, set goals, and prepare for future careers.

Governor Stein has also proclaimed November as North Carolina Career Development Month and November 19, 2025, as Career Development Coordinator Day. The Career & Technical Education (CTE) department proudly recognizes Nick Montgomery and Stephanie Smith for their outstanding leadership and commitment to connecting classrooms to careers and helping students build real-world skills. 

We also thank our Fall 2025 internship partners—ADAPT, Allscapes, Chapel Hill Tire, CQC Home, Grady A. Brown Elementary, Paws4ever, Serpentine Salon, Sportsplex, Town of Hillsborough, and The General Store (Culinary)—for providing valuable on-the-job learning opportunities.

Our apprenticeship site, Siemens, also continues to support hands-on student learning and workforce development.

Veterans Day 2025

In observance of Veterans Day, all OCS schools and facilities were closed on Tuesday, November 11, in accordance with North Carolina’s school calendar law. Throughout the district, students, staff, and community members participated in activities to honor and remember those who have served in our nation’s armed forces.
 

Highlights included:

• Grady A. Brown Elementary School staff created a tribute bulletin board featuring photos of family members who are veterans.
• Cedar Ridge High School DECA students made Veterans Day cards to share with local veterans.
• A.L. Stanback Middle School Kindness Club crafted appreciation cards for veterans, including staff members who have served.
• Hillsborough Elementary School held its annual Veterans Day program, featuring patriotic songs, a presentation of colors by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and participation from Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones, a U.S. Air Force veteran, who read from The White Table by Margot Theis Raven.
   

OCS is proud to honor and remember all who have served in our nation’s military for their courage, sacrifice, and dedication to protecting our freedoms.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS

• Dr. Danielle Jones shared comments about her experiences during Student Advisory Groups led with district administrators at Cedar Ridge High School and Partnership Academy High School, with one more session scheduled at Orange High School: “These conversations continue to be one of the most valuable sources of insight into the student experience in Orange County Schools. Our students have been candid, thoughtful, yet solution-oriented, as well as offering feedback that will directly inform how we strengthen teaching, learning, and school culture.”
• Dr. Jones shared comments about the visit from NC State Superintendent Mo Green and other representatives from the NC Department of Instruction to Orange High School: “It was a privilege to showcase the exceptional work happening in our schools and to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of Public Education in our state.”
• Lastly, Dr. Jones thanked community members who attended the first Strategic Plan Community Listening Session on November 3 at Cedar Ridge High School: “Your participation and feedback are critical as we develop a new strategic plan that truly reflects the priorities and aspirations of our community.”
• The next Community Listening Session will take place on December 2 at Orange High School. Click here for more details.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

WORK SESSION (INFORMATION) ITEMS

YMCA Afterschool Update

Aubrey Vinson, Executive Director of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA provided the board with an update on the afterschool program partnership with the YMCA of the Triangle, approved on March 18, 2024. 

Since the program’s transition during the 2024–2025 school year, key areas of focus have included enrollment and program offerings, staff retention and licensing, and overall program impact. Highlights include:

• There are currently 441 students enrolled in the afterschool program, an increase of 22 students from the previous school year
• 27 former OCS afterschool staff members joined the YMCA team during the 2024-2025 school year, 25 renewed for the 2025-26 school year

Click here to read the full presentation
 

School Nutrition & CEP

Sara Pitts, OCS School Nutrition Director provided an update to the board on the district’s approved Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the first quarter of the 2025–2026 school year (July 1–October 31, 2025). 

CEP, a program under the National School Lunch Act, allows high-need schools to offer breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost, reducing administrative work and promoting equitable access to nutritious meals.

For the 2025–2026 school year, CEP participation includes Central Elementary, Efland-Cheeks Global Elementary, New Hope Elementary, and Partnership Academy.

As of October 31, 2025, School Nutrition Services reported a net gain in revenue due to increased meal participation and federal reimbursements, reflecting positive financial performance under CEP.

Click here to read the full presentation
 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Update

Paige Horton, digital learning coach at Orange High School and Cedar Ridge High School, presented an overview of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being evaluated and implemented across the district to enhance teaching, learning, and operations. AI tools are currently used to support lesson planning, communication, and data-informed decision-making while promoting equity, personalized learning, and accessibility for all students.

As AI continues to shape education and the workforce, the district remains committed to ensuring responsible, intentional use of these tools—providing staff and students with the training and support needed to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Click here to read the full presentation