Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools seeks funds from Orange County every year to pay for costly repairs and maintenance. At Thursday’s school board meeting, school officials talked about making difficult choices with finite funds from the county.

“We know we’re pushing back critical needs further and further. You guys remember we had the heat issue at Estes Hills,” said Assistant Superintendent Todd LoFrese. “We pushed off replacing the boiler 10 years in our plan, and it came back and bit us and we had problems last year at Estes.”

At the meeting, the board approved a capital investment plan that lists major projects, estimated at $15.9 million over the next five years. These costs align with the county’s projected funds for the school district. But the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district may not recieve all the money it wants.

“We’ve had a terrible, terrible last six or seven years,” said School Facilities Director William Mullin. “You’ll remember over the last decade we’ve added three schools, mobile classrooms and additions. We grow and our capital plan is being badly, badly hurt.”

Orange County Commissioners will divide 2015-16 funds between Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools in the summer.

Among other projects, in 2015-16 CHCCS officials want a cooling tower replacement, light fixture replacements and classroom upgrades.

CHCCS board members also hope commissioners will put a $125 million bond on the ballot in 2016 to pay for additional expenses. The proposed bond would be the largest in Orange County history and would add an estimated 4.67 cents on the property tax rate.

“We’re making some choices right now in what our priorities are based on the expectation that this is going to happen,” said Board Member Michelle Brownstein on planning for the bond.

The district would like the extra funds to help pay for new buildings and school expansions to meet increases in student enrollment at an estimated cost of $214 million over ten years. The funds would also help pay the estimated $91 million in other maintenance costs over the next ten years.

Related Stories
‹
Student Fights at East Chapel Hill High School Injure 5 Staff Members; Incidents Under Investigation
A pair of fights between students at East Chapel Hill High School on Friday led to several responding staff injuries and disruption.
CHCCS Board Holds Preliminary Conversation for Hypothetical Elementary School Closure
The Board of Education for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools recently met to hear a presentation about closing one of its elementary schools.
CHCCS Superintendent Trice Shares Excitement, Details New Cellphone Policy Ahead of New School Year
Monday will mark the first CHCCS school year under Superintendent Rodney Trice's leadership. He joined 97.9 The Hill to discuss.
Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Superintendent Rodney Trice on the New School Year
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Superintendent Rodney Trice joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, August 19.
Carrboro High School Enters 2025-26 School Year With New Leadership Team
CHCCS announced veteran educator Valerie Akins would step into the interim principal role for Carrboro High for the 2025-26 calendar.
Carrboro High School Principal Helena Thomas Reassigned; Interim To Be Named Later
Carrboro High School principal Helena Thomas is being reassigned to a new role within the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Instructional Services Division, per a release from superintendent Rodney Trice Thursday afternoon. The move will go into effect Monday, July 21. “This change is intended to support Carrboro High School in restoring stability and strengthening operations […]
Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks
Andy Jenks, the chief communications officer for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Monday, July 14.
CHCCS Board Vice Chair Riza Jenkins Announces 2025 Re-Election Bid
Riza Jenkins, the vice chair of the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools school board, announced her intention to run for re-election.
Here’s What You Need to Know Before CHCCS, Orange County High Schools’ 2025 Graduations
The local school districts are preparing to hold their graduations this weekend and have shared instructions for participants and visitors.
'I See This as Service': Rodney Trice Shares Early Approach, Emotions Around CHCCS Superintendent Hiring
During his first day on the job, CHCCS Superintendent Rodney Trice joined 97.9 The Hill for an initial interview about his new role.
›