This week, Chair of the Orange County Schools Board of Education Hillary MacKenzie joins 97.9 The Hill. She shares how the hybrid learning plan has gone for the district, as students in grades 2-12 began it in early March. Plus: preview of tonight’s school board meeting, details on school renaming and other news from around Orange County Schools.
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'In A Very Good Place': 2026 Election Results Reflect Stability, Support for Orange County Schools Board of Education
Voters in the school district re-elected three incumbents to the board – Sarah Smylie, Anne Purcell and Will Atherton – while adding newcomer Lori Russell.

Incumbents Atherton, Purcell, Smylie, Newcomer Russell Elected to Orange County Board of Education
Incumbents Will Atherton, Anne Purcell, and Sarah Smylie will each retain their seats on the Orange County Schools Board of Education, while newcomer Lori Russell gained a seat on the board in the 2026 race. The race consisted of six candidates running for four seats, with challengers Saru Salvi and Brian D. Edwards failing to […]
Speaking of Schools: Orange County Schools Exceptional Children Program
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.

2026 Candidate Introductions: Orange County Board of Education
As the Orange County Schools district grapples with many of the same challenges other public schools are in North Carolina, four seats on the Board of Education are up for grabs in 2026.
Speaking of Schools: OCS Board Chair Will Atherton and CTE Director Shannon Braxton
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.

CHCCS, Orange County Schools on 2-Hour Delay for Thursday as Districts Monitors Overnight Precipitation
With the threat of wintry mix and freezing temperatures on Wednesday night, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools announced it will operate on a two-hour delay for Thursday morning.

Orange County Schools Cancels Wednesday Classes Over Road Conditions; CHCCS, Chatham Plan Returns
The Orange County Schools district shared an alert with families and students on Tuesday saying instruction for Wednesday is canceled.

CHCCS on Remote Learning, Chatham and Orange County Schools Closed After Weekend Winter Storm
After Winter Storm Gianna dumped several inches of snow across central North Carolina Saturday, school districts across the community have announced closures for Monday, Feb. 2. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools will have a remote learning day on Monday. Middle and high schoolers will use synchronous instruction, meaning teachers will meet with students through live virtual sessions. […]

Remote Learning Day 5 for Orange County Schools; 2-Hour Delay for CHCCS, Chatham County
Orange County Schools will hold its fifth and final available day of remote learning on Friday, while CHCCS and Chatham have two-hour delays.

Orange County Schools Continues Remote Learning, While Chatham County Cancels Class for Thursday
Orange County Schools students will see another day of remote learning on Thursday, Jan. 29, as the district said it would continue to prioritize caution as below-freezing temperatures led to lingering ice in the community.
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