Speaking of Schools Archives

Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks on Public Hearing, Graduation, and More

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | May 18, 2026 | Speaking of Schools

Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, May 18. He discussed the upcoming public hearing on the decision surrounding possible closure of one of the district’s elementary schools. He shared that due to public interest, the meeting has been moved to Smith Middle School from the Lincoln Center. The meeting will still be on Thursday, May 21. He also talked about graduation and other important end-of-year events.

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CHCCS’ Ongoing Review of Elementary Schools Ahead of Closure Discussions — Speaking of Schools (Mar. 23, 2026)

Posted by Brighton McConnell | Mar 23, 2026 | Speaking of Schools

CHCCS Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks joins 97.9 The Hill on Monday, Mar. 23 to talk about the recent hot topics around the district.

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Speaking of Schools: Orange County Schools Exceptional Children Program

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Mar 2, 2026 | Speaking of Schools

Orange County School’s Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones and Executive Director of Exceptional Children Stacey Burns spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, March 2. They discussed the Exceptional Children program in Orange County Schools, including priorities, district events, staff training and support, and more.

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Speaking of Schools: OCS Board Chair Will Atherton and CTE Director Shannon Braxton

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Feb 9, 2026 | Speaking of Schools

Orange County Schools Board of Education Chair Will Atherton and Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Shannon Braxton spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, February 9, discussing district news and events. They discussed the challenges around the recent winter weather events that kept students off campus, and the small changes to the schedule because of those cancellations. They also discussed the district’s CTE program, including the different pathways students can explore, the opportunity to partner with community businesses, and more.

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Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Board Chair Riza Jenkins

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Jan 20, 2026 | Speaking of Schools

Chair of the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Board of Education Riza Jenkins spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, January 20. She discussed latest meeting of the board, which outlined the process for closing a school within a district, and a presentation on the enrollment and budget data that led to that discussion. She also discussed a couple of recent policy changes that have feedback coming in: the cellphone policy and the change to a block schedule at the secondary level. Andy Jenks also joined to talk about inclement weather procedures and more.

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Speaking of Schools: Orange County School’s Superintendent Danielle Jones and Board Chair Will Atherton

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Jan 5, 2026 | Speaking of Schools

Orange County School’s Superintendent Danielle Jones and Board Member Will Atherton spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, January 5. They discussed takeaways from the first half of the school year, what they are looking forward to in 2026, and more. They also discussed highlights from the district’s 2025 state accountability results and more.

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Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Director of Technology Debby Atwater and Director of Digital Learning Al McArthur

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Oct 13, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

CHCCS Director of Technology Debby Atwater and Director of Digital Learning Al McArthur spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, October 15. They discussed the CoSN Aware, a recent distinction awarded to the district for protecting student data privacy. They also discussed the district’s Digital Learning Plan, the technology roll out for the start of the year, and more.

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Speaking of Schools: Chatham County Schools PIO Jessica Pasion

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Sep 29, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Chatham County School Public Information Officer Jessica Pasion spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, September 29, discussing district news and events. She talked about how the school year has gone in the first month, highlighted a recent accountability recognition the district received, and more. She also discussed the district’s composite programs, which allow for marching band and soccer teams to form from several schools that might not have enough people to do that activity independently. She also previewed upcoming events and more.

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Speaking of Schools: Chief Human Resource Officer Ashauna Harris

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Sep 15, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Ashauna Harris spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, September 15. She discussed the district starting the year a 98 percent staffing, with the bulk of the open positions being Teaching Assistant positions. She talked about which community members qualify for those roles and who might be a good fit. She discussed teacher recruitment and retention practices, and what the next portion of the school year looks like for district Human Resources. Find more on open positions at CHCCS here.

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Speaking of Schools: Chatham County Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Aug 25, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Chatham County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, August 25, discussing district news and events. He talked about the lead up to the first day school, and the district’s theme for the year. He also talked about staffing, which is at its highest level since the pandemic, and more.

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