A large crowd is expected to attend the Orange County Schools Board of Education meeting Monday night – the first board meeting since a surprise shakeup in board leadership earlier this month.
With no discussion in open session at the meeting on May 6, the board voted to appoint Will Atherton as board chair and Tony McKnight as vice chair, replacing Brenda Stephens and Sarah Smylie respectively. Smylie had announced her intention to step down as board vice chair, triggering a series of 4-3 votes resulting in the new chair and vice chair.
During the voting process, members of the public voiced concern over the board’s actions and the lack of public discourse.
“We’re supposed to get an opportunity to speak,” one said.
Another member of the public continued to speak as the board was voting via write-in ballot on who would be chosen to lead the board.
“This is not ok, at all,” she said. “I’ve never witnessed anything like this.”
Concern from the community ranged beyond the public nature of Monday’s decision, to also point out that the four male members of the board were voting – against the votes of the three women on the board – to remove the black, female board chair. Stephens appeared to attempt to reassure the public.
“They can take the chair, but they cannot take the voice,” Stephens said.
The Hate-Free School Coalition in the county, an advocacy group pushing for reforms in the school district, is working to mobilize community members to attend Monday night’s meeting and oppose the recent board restructuring.
Atheron has indicated to the News & Observer and the News of Orange that the decision to restructure the board was related to decisions made during a recent investigation of an incident in the school district. Atherton has not returned requests for comment to WCHL.
The board will have to hold another leadership vote in July.
Monday night’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Gravelly Hill Middle School.
Related Stories
‹
Local Government Meetings: June 15-19, 2026This week in local government: a proposed AI moratorium in Durham and a board appointment (maybe) in Chatham County.
Here’s What You Need to Know Before CHCCS, Orange County High Schools’ 2026 GraduationsChapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools will celebrate its high school graduates across three days this weekend.
Following Budget Talks, Orange County Commissioners Prepare to Raise Taxes for More School FundingVoicing a desire to better fund its public school systems, the Orange County Board of Commissioners is poised to further raise taxes in FY27.
Facing Pressures In All Directions, Orange County Commissioners Near Budget DecisionOrange County Commissioners are holding a public hearing on next year's budget Thursday, May 28, with major decisions yet to be made.
Orange County Government, Local School Districts Try to Do 'More With Less' Amid State Funding UncertaintyOrange County's school districts will likely not get the full extent of their proposed budgets for the upcoming school year.
Orange High Math Teacher Justin Boggus Named Orange County Schools' 2026-27 Teacher of the YearOrange County Schools leadership unveiled Justin Boggus as its Teacher of the Year award winner during a ceremony at the Colonial Inn.
Orange County Recommends Tax Increases for FY27 Budget; Chatham County Could Keep Rate FlatBoth Orange County and Chatham County revealed their budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year this week. Here are the highlights.
Orange County Schools Board of Education Reviews Budget Requests for the Upcoming Academic YearThe Orange County Board of Education recently presented its preferred budget for the upcoming school year.
CHCCS, Orange and Chatham Public Schools Among NC Districts Canceling Classes Ahead of Teachers RallyWith a teachers rally expecting to draw thousands of educators from North Carolina, local school districts are cancelling classes for May 1.
Orange High School's Jason Johnson Earns 2026 National Principal of The Year AwardOrange County Schools shared Friday that Orange High School's Jason Johnson earned the 2026 National Principal of the Year award.
›
