Nyah Hamlett, the superintendent for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, drops by to speak with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Monday, August 19. With school starting next week, she discusses the excitement around campuses and buildings during those initial days and what she’s looking forward to the most. Then, the pair discuss some of the top stories around the district this summer: CHCCS’ portion of the bond referendum plan and the reorganization of positions after a budget shortfall. Hamlett shares her thoughts on the final version of which school replacement projects their bond plan will focus on (Carrboro Elementary, Franklin Porter Graham Elementary, and Estes Hills Elementary). She also then details the tiered system of position and funding cuts her staff is presenting to the board to try and scale back spending.
Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public 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:
Related Stories
‹

CHCCS Narrows Focus for Bond Plan; Estes Hills, Carrboro, and FPG Elementary Schools PrioritizedThe CHCCS school board narrowed its focus to a facilities plan for three new elementary schools, if the $300 million bond referendum passes.

Orange County Discusses Bond Projects and State Budget Delay With Local School BoardsThe Orange County Board of Commissioners recently held a joint meeting with the local school boards to hear updates from each district.

CHCCS Board Holds Preliminary Conversation for Hypothetical Elementary School ClosureThe Board of Education for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools recently met to hear a presentation about closing one of its elementary schools.

CHCCS School Board Approves 81 Position Cuts, Cites 'Dire' Spending SituationThe CHCCS Board of Education approved a district proposal to freeze and cut dozens of positions in lieu of a $5.6 million budget shortfall.

Projects Designations and Total Dollars: School Bond Takes Shape with Orange County's FrameworkThe Orange County school infrastructure bond referendum planned for the fall took its latest step forward on Tuesday night.
![]()
Discussing Absenteeism During Attendance Awareness Month at CHCCS — Speaking of Schools (October 19, 2026)CHCCS' Ally Scercy, Ashanti Keitt and Allison Crosetto speak with 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Monday, October 19 about absenteeism.

Local Government Meetings: October 12-16, 2026This week in local government: property valuation in Orange County, Chatham Park in Pittsboro, and Churton Street's future in Hillsborough.

Former Chapel Hill High School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes with StudentDavid Orion Bennett, who taught at Chapel Hill High School for a decade, formally pleaded guilty on September 28 to a variety of sex crimes.

Tongde Wu Takes Oath of Office, Formally Joins CHCCS Board of EducationChapel Hill's Tongde Wu took her oath of office at the start of the CHCCS school board's work session on October 1 to formally join its ranks.
![]()
The Morning News: Alert Carolina, Armed Robbery Arrest, Seth Jarvis Helping KidsIn today's news: UNC students raise concerns about Alert Carolina, and Chapel Hill police make an arrest in yesterday's armed robbery.
›