Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Monday, Mar. 23. Despite no new updates since establishing the district’s scope of study on a trio of elementary schools that could be closed soon, the topic continues to drum up passion among the CHCCS community. Jenks shares his perspective on that, how the district is hearing from stakeholders, and how the study on the schools — Ephesus Elementary, Glenwood Elementary and Seawell Elementary — aim to keep the process objective. He also shares how any potential closure will impact future budget seasons, but not the upcoming one…which will instead by complicated by the lack of a state budget. Plus: spring break awaits CHCCS students and staff!

Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 school districts in our community.  You can find conversations with leaders from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools, and Chatham County Schools by clicking here.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Related Stories
‹
CHCCS Board of Education Weighs Closing 2 Elementary Schools Amid Enrollment, Funding Declines
The CHCCS Board of Education began its latest round of feedback on Feb. 5 about how to approach closing at least one elementary school in the face of waning enrollment and funding challenges.
In Split Vote, CHCCS School Board Chooses 3 Elementary Schools to Study for Closure
After weeks of debate and waffling between which elementary schools to study, the CHCCS Board of Education made its choices last Thursday.
CHCCS Narrows Focus for Bond Plan; Estes Hills, Carrboro, and FPG Elementary Schools Prioritized
The CHCCS school board narrowed its focus to a facilities plan for three new elementary schools, if the $300 million bond referendum passes.
As Final Year Begins, Glenwood Elementary Families Feeling 'Powerless' After Closure and Program Votes
Monday's first day of class is bittersweet for Glenwood Elementary School families, who feel hurt by CHCCS leaders' decision to close its campus and change its program.
'We're in Crisis': CHCCS Board of Education Approves Plan to Limit Classroom Screen Time
When it comes to screen time, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is trying to have better guardrails in the classroom.
With Closure Decision Made, CHCCS Leaders and Glenwood Elementary Community Try to Move Forward
Thursday’s vote by the CHCCS Board of Education ended months of speculation of which of three elementary schools may be discontinued.
Here's What CHCCS Board Members Said About Decision to Close Glenwood Elementary
Most CHCCS Board of Education members shared comments about their reasoning for the conclusion and unanimous vote to close Glenwood.
New Studies Suggest CHCCS Close 1 Elementary School, Address Capacity Issues Through Redistricting
CHCCS school board members heard a presentation about the deeper studies conducted on criteria for closure of any three elementary schools.
'Worried For Our Future': Authors React to Removal Attempt of LGBTQ+ Books from CHCCS Elementary Libraries
North Carolina legislators are pushing to remove 63 LGBTQ-themed books from CHCCS elementary schools, saying they violate state law for being available in libraries.
CHCCS' Ongoing Review of Elementary Schools Ahead of Closure Discussions — Speaking of Schools (Mar. 23, 2026)
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.
›