Budget, Book Bans, and School Calendars

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education hears educators defend inclusive school libraries and statewide advocacy, then moves quickly on a $6.7 million budget request, a new food service vendor, and multiple calendar decisions, including a May 1 teacher workday and the 2027–2028 traditional calendar. 22mins

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Original Meeting

Thursday, April 16th, 2026
14624.512
Board of Education - Apr 16, 2026
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The Carrborean
at The Carrborean
Carrboro, NC, USA
The Carrborean staff
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In This Video
  • A representative of the Chapel Hill Carrboro Association of Educators voiced support for the district’s budget request, transfer deadline extension, capital improvement plan, food vendor selection process, and proposed school calendars, while encouraging participation in statewide advocacy for public education funding.
  • Parent and speaker Jen Costanza urged the board to slow the school closure decision timeline, arguing that more comprehensive data, analysis of districtwide impacts, and consideration of alternatives were needed before making such a complex, far-reaching choice.
  • Northside Elementary School librarian Catherine Cole expressed support for district leaders while condemning state-level attacks on school libraries, defending inclusive collections that feature LGBTQ characters as vital for student well-being and suicide prevention, and rejecting efforts to restrict what books all children may access.
  • The board approved a $6.7 million local operating budget request to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, including continuation funding for salary and benefit increases and an expansion request for staff supplements and a recurring curriculum fund.
  • The board approved the selection of a new food service vendor after discussion with Dr. Stewart about the committee’s recommendation, plans for taste-testing and transition, attention to vegetarian and vegan options, and a commitment to share student survey feedback with future contract extensions.
  • The board approved the traditional school calendar for the 2027–2028 academic year.
  • Dr. Stewart requested board approval to amend the current year’s calendar by restoring May 12 as a regular school day and designating May 1 as a teacher workday using banked instructional hours, both to ensure safe operations amid high staff absences and to support staff participation in statewide education advocacy.
  • Vice Chair Fedders reflected on statewide attacks on LGBTQ-themed books and thanked allies for supporting affected students, staff, and families, while Board Member Dasi invited the community to upcoming Earth Day festivities at Carrboro Town Commons.
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