Want to be in-the-know about the two school districts in Orange County? Check out Speaking of Schools on Mondays, a ‘News on The Hill’ segment that features leaders from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools system and Orange County Schools system!
Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Board Chair Riza Jenkins
Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Board Chair Riza Jenkins spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, September 28. She discussed the recent process of filling the vacant school board seat after Rani Dasi’s appointment to the Orange County Commissioners. She also discussed welcoming new board member Tongde Wu. She discussed upcoming feedback opportunities for the community as the board considers elementary school redistricting, updates the early school year transportation situation, and more.
Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 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.
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Speaking of Schools: Orange County Schools Superintendent Danielle Jones — (September 21, 2026)
Orange County Schools Superintendent Danielle Jones speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Monday, September 21. Jones shared how the start of the school year has gone, with some facility upgrades getting finished and good news from the state’s accountability report. She also shares details on some of the district’s big goals of the school year alongside Orange County Schools’ strategies for addressing chronic absenteeism as September is Attendance Awareness Month. Finally, Jones shares details on Monday night’s college fair at Orange High School and the upcoming meeting with Orange County Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and the Orange County commissioners.
Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 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.
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Speaking of Schools: Rachel Rossi and Jennifer Tang from Glenwood PTA (September 14, 2026)
Glenwood Elementary School PTA President Rachel Rossi and Secretary Jennifer Tang spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, September 14. The discussed the school’s STEAM² Specialist class, which supports the Mandarin programs at the school. They talked about what makes the class unique, the highly qualified instructor, and the likelihood that the class will be gone after the closure of Glenwood next year. They also talked about the start of the school year for Glenwood families, and more.
Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 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.
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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.
Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 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.
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Speaking of Schools: National Principal of the Year Jason Johnson
Orange High School Principal and National Principal of the Year Jason Johnson joined 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey in studio on Monday, August 3. He discussed his recollection of receiving the National Principal of the Year award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. He also recounted the work that has earned him accolades, including his decision to return to Orange High School after a prior stint leading that building, and more.
Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 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.
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Speaking of Schools: Riza Jenkins and Rodney Trice on Glenwood Elementary School
Chapel Hill Carrboro City School Board Chair Riza Jenkins and Superintendent Rodney Trice spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, June 8. They discussed the board’s recent unanimous vote to close Glenwood Elementary School after the 2026-2027 school year. They discussed the reasoning for the arrival at that decision, including facilities, enrollment, and more. They also talked about what comes next for Glenwood families and the programs at the school, how other families in the district can support the Glenwood community, and more.
Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 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.
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Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks on Public Hearing, Graduation, and More
Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, May 18. He discussed the upcoming public hearing on the decision surrounding possible closure of one of the district’s elementary schools. He shared that due to public interest, the meeting has been moved to Smith Middle School from the Lincoln Center. The meeting will still be on Thursday, May 21. He also talked about graduation and other important end-of-year events.
Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 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.
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CHCCS’ Ongoing Review of Elementary Schools Ahead of Closure Discussions — Speaking of Schools (Mar. 23, 2026)
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Monday, Mar. 23. Despite no new updates since establishing the district’s scope of study on a trio of elementary schools that could be closed soon, the topic continues to drum up passion among the CHCCS community. Jenks shares his perspective on that, how the district is hearing from stakeholders, and how the study on the schools — Ephesus Elementary, Glenwood Elementary and Seawell Elementary — aim to keep the process objective. He also shares how any potential closure will impact future budget seasons, but not the upcoming one…which will instead by complicated by the lack of a state budget. Plus: spring break awaits CHCCS students and staff!
Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 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.
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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.
Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 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.
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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.
Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 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
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