Complete Overview

UPDATE (Nov. 15, 2024): Orange County voters APPROVED the school bond referendum.

Over the next several years, CHCCS will be provided the funding necessary to build a new Carrboro Elementary School (on the current site), a new Estes Hills Elementary School (on the current site) and a new FPG Bilingue Elementary School (site to be determined following more community engagement), while also including high priority maintenance projects at all remaining schools.

So what’s next? Plenty of patience. Shovels don’t go into the ground anytime soon. When building new schools, districts have to do things like put the project out to bid, hire an architect, approve designs, award construction contracts and make detailed plans for students and staff, all while involving our families and community in the public process. This will take years, not months. CHCCS will keep you posted when there’s information to share. 

Go Deeper: For a detailed explanation of these proposals, use the following links.

• To view materials shared with the Board of Education and the public on Aug. 15, use this link.

• To view a recording of Aug. 1 Community Meeting #1 (10:30 a.m.) use this YouTube link.

• To view a recording of Aug. 1 Community Meeting #2 (2 p.m.) use this YouTube link.

• To look at the presentation slides in English, use this link.

• To look at the presentation slides in Spanish, use this link.

⏪ Previously shared background information (in brief)

This November, Orange County (which includes Chapel Hill and Carrboro) will ask residents to vote on a $300 million bond referendum in order to pay for the long-term capital improvement (facility) needs of both CHCCS and Orange County Schools. The goals for students, staff and families include:

• Placing students and staff in modern, spacious, leading-edge learning environments.

• Reducing operational/structural inefficiencies such as utility and maintenance costs that are higher in our oldest facilities.

• Reducing the overall age of CHCCS school buildings.

Why is this happening? A Capital Working Group was formed back in 2021, representing a collaboration between Orange County Government and the two school districts for which it is responsible: CHCCS and Orange County Schools. Orange County Government is directing its two school districts to modernize facilities by developing plans that look years into the future needs of our community. The county and its two school districts are working together to achieve these goals. 

For more details about the Orange County School Bond visit www.orangecountyschoolbond.com