CHAPEL HILL – Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board member, James Barrett, says closing the achievement gap—a general agreement of those running—will continue to be his top priority if re-elected to the board.

“We believe we are the best district in the state, and if we truly want to be a great district, we’ve got to make sure that we’re living up to our promise to serve all students,” Barrett says. “The achievement gaps shows that we’re not doing that today.”

WCHL’s Elizabeth Friend spoke with Barrett about his seeking re-election to the School Board.

 ***Listen to the Interview***

Barrett says the way to shrink that gap is to focus the time and energy of the district on things that can be controlled.

“There’s a lot of things with poverty and race that we don’t have control over,” Barrett says. “But, what we have control over is the quality of that teacher and what he or she is doing in the classroom every single day. That’s what Dr. Forcella is clearly focused on, and I think that’s what the district ought to be focused on.”

Four candidates are contending for three seats on the school board.

Between now and Election Day, we’ll be previewing each of the candidates one-on-one.

For more on Barrett, click here.

Related Stories
‹
Hear The Candidates Debate The Issues Live
Early voting begins Thursday, and we’re kicking off the week by bringing the candidates to you with two forums.
2013 CHCCS Candidate Profile: Ignacio Tzoumas
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board candidate, Ignacio Tzoumas (pronounced JEW-mas), says equity will be his biggest focus if elected. He says the district has to adapt to serve the ever-changing landscape.
2013 CHCCS Candidate Profile: Shell Brownstein
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board chair, Shell Brownstein, says closing the achievement gap will continue to be her top priority if re-elected to the board.
CHCCS Candidates Debate Achievement Gap
Four Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board candidates debated one of the district’s most persistent problems- how to close the achievement gap for all students.
The Morning News: Orange County Honors Jamezetta Bedford, Michael Lombardi Resigns
In today's news: Orange County names its new crisis diversion facility after the late County Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford.
Orange and Chatham County School Districts Celebrate Performance Milestones for 2025-26 Year
The Orange County, Chatham County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City school districts are celebrating positive performance trends demonstrated in the latest accountability report from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. All 13 Orange County Schools earned a performance grade of “C” or higher for the 2025-26 school year, marking the first time since 2017 that […]
Scholarship Fund Established for Slain Former Carrboro High School Coach
The family of former Carrboro High School girls’ basketball coach and teacher Sheremy Dillard is setting up a memorial fund in her honor. Dillard was found stabbed to death in her Raleigh home Aug. 13. Her boyfriend, 60-year-old Rickey Harper, has since been charged with murder. Dillard had coached at Carrboro High from the time […]
Missed Assignments, Delays and Walk Zone Changes: School Bus Issues Roil CHCCS' First Days Back
CHCCS Superintendent Rodney Trice issued an apology letter to families on Tuesday, acknowledging problems with its bus service to students.
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.
Speaking of Schools: Chief Communications Officer for CHCCS Andy Jenks
Chief Communications Officer for CHCCS Andy Jenks joined 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, August 17. He discussed the upcoming start of the school year, with the first day coming one week from today. They also discussed the impending decision on where students from Glenwood Elementary will go after the upcoming school year. He also mentioned upcoming redistricting conversations, and more.
›