Shaping the Future Together
New: June 4 Board of Education Meeting
This Thursday, June 4, the CHCCS Board of Education will hold its regularly scheduled Board meeting at Lincoln Center, located at 750 S. Merritt Mill Rd. in Chapel Hill.
What to expect:
During the meeting, the Board is expected to have a conversation and vote on the proposed closure of either Ephesus, Glenwood or Seawell elementary schools (the agenda is linked here.)
How the Board meeting will work:
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The June 4 meeting takes place at the usual location: Lincoln Center, 750 S. Merritt Mill Rd., Chapel Hill. Board meetings are also livestreamed (the link will appear on this page.)
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Open session usually starts around 7 p.m. (The meeting officially begins at 6 p.m. with a closed session not open to the public, for various legal or personnel matters.)
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Public comment will take place shortly after 7 p.m. Individuals who wish to speak will be allowed up to two (2) minutes.
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Written public comments on the school closure topic will also be accepted at https://www.chccstogether.org/contact. Written public comments will be available for viewing but will not be read during the meeting.
We remain committed to moving forward thoughtfully and transparently, with care and respect for everyone in our community.
What’s Happening
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is at a critical turning point. Declining student enrollment will lead to a $2+ million reduction in state funding in 2026-27, with additional enrollment and funding decreases projected over the next 10 years. The landscape CHCCS faces has shifted significantly. We have the opportunity to make thoughtful, proactive decisions now to ensure the goal of a strong & vibrant future for our students based on factors including:
Declining Enrollment
Student enrollment has dropped significantly since 2019. Despite new housing developments, enrollment is projected to fall below 9,500 students by 2035.
Funding Impact
State funding is tied directly to enrollment. For every student lost, the District loses approximately $7,500 in state funding.
Aging Infrastructure
We are currently maintaining underutilized elementary schools with significant long-term capital needs. This diverts critical funds away from direct classroom instruction and student-facing investments.
The CHCCS Board of Education is evaluating whether closing one or more elementary schools — Glenwood, Ephesus, or Seawell — could help reach this goal. The Board will make a final decision based on several factors, including:​​​​
Impact on Students & Instructional Programs
Demographic & Enrollment Trends
Operational & Maintenance Cost Data
Community Feedback
Timeline
Latest News & Information
May 21, 2026
Public Hearing
On Thursday, May 21, the CHCCS Board of Education will hold a Public Hearing to listen to community comments about the schools under consideration for possible closure (Ephesus, Glenwood and Seawell elementary schools).
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To view the livestream, a link will appear on the page linked here.
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Location Change
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To ensure we can comfortably accommodate as many people as possible, we are moving from our typical Board meeting location to the larger auditorium at Smith Middle School. This was the largest available District facility on our meeting date, as other large venues (high schools, for example) are already in use for concerts, performances or athletics.
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Here’s how the May 21 Board meeting and Public Hearing will work:
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As stated above, they will take place in a larger location: the Smith Middle School auditorium, 9201 Seawell School Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.
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The auditorium is located at the rear of the middle school. The closest parking lot is the school’s back parking lot where a sign says Smith Middle School and Carolina Center for Educational Excellence.
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If that fills up, the middle school’s front parking lot will also be available. We will have parking lot attendants to guide you through the school.
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Open session begins at approximately 7 p.m., with the Public Hearing starting shortly after that.
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Each individual will be allowed up to two (2) minutes to speak.
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Written public comments will be accepted at https://www.chccstogether.org/contact. Written public comments will be available for viewing but will not be read during the meeting.
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Community input will be one of the many points the Board will consider before making any decisions in June. As always, our priority remains the long-term success and well-being of CHCCS staff, students, families, and the broader community. We encourage you to stay engaged as we move forward with care, transparency and respect.
May 7, 2026
New: Proposed School Closure Study
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools invites staff, families and the community to review the legally required study of schools under consideration for possible closure (Ephesus, Glenwood and Seawell elementary schools).
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Study of the Proposed Closure of Ephesus, Glenwood, and Seawell Elementary Schools
Executive Summary (1-page)
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Full Study (104 pages)
Full Study (Google Doc view only, English)
Full Study, Spanish (Google Doc view only)
Full Study, Chinese (Google Doc view only)
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The full study was revised on 5/15/26 to correct minor errors and to clarify the sources of information. Areas of revision are noted in red throughout the document.
The study does:
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Provide additional data
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Add factual information, alongside public comments and Board discussions
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Fullfill a legally required procedural step
The study does not:
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Weigh, prioritize or score any criteria for the closure of a specific school
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Propose specific recommendations or judgments on any school
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Video recording: May 7 Board of Education Meeting (YouTube)
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Administration presentation
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Board of Education discussion
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Public Comments
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The next step is a public hearing on Thursday, May 21. Please browse this site for additional details, information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Monday, May 4, 2026
What to expect: School closure study; Board meeting
This Thursday, May 7, CHCCS will publicly release the legally required study of key data for the schools under consideration for possible closure (Ephesus, Glenwood and Seawell elementary schools).
The study will be released as part of the Board of Education work session on May 7. Here’s what to expect:
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The study will provide key data and information for each school related to the decision criteria determined in March. At this time, the study will not include any recommended actions regarding the three schools. Instead, the information it contains, along with community feedback and public comment, will assist the Board in its decision-making process between now and June 4.
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By 5 p.m. Thursday, the study will be posted to the Board’s May 7 agenda. This allows as much time as possible for translations and related communication materials. CHCCS will provide a limited number of printed copies at the Board meeting, along with a one-page summary for quick reference.
Here’s how the Board meeting will work:
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The May 7 work session takes place at the usual location: Lincoln Center, 750 S. Merritt Mill Rd., Chapel Hill. Board meetings are also livestreamed (the link will appear on this page.)
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Open session usually starts around 7 p.m. (The meeting officially begins at 6 p.m. with a closed session not open to the public, for various legal or personnel matters.)
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The study’s release will involve a presentation by district staff, and discussion/questions by the Board of Education.
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We encourage all staff and families to watch/listen to the presentation/discussion, make time to read the report, and then bring all public comments to the May 21 Public Hearing, instead of the May 7 work session.
As always, our priority remains the long-term success and well-being of CHCCS staff, students, families, and the broader community. We encourage you to stay engaged, particularly at our May 21 Public Hearing, as we move forward with care, transparency and respect.
March 23, 2026
Our Schools, Our Future:
This week we completed a series of community conversations about the study of potential elementary school closures, student redistricting and other strategic decisions to position CHCCS for long term success.
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Use this link to watch last Friday’s virtual session (Webex).
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Click here for a one-page PDF that summarizes the key points (PDF).
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Immediately after Spring Break: Sessions for staff and families at Glenwood, Seawell and Ephesus (schools will communicate dates and times).
Upcoming Dates
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Board of Education meeting with anticipated vote on elementary school closures / Lincoln Center, 750 S. Merritt Mill Rd., Chapel Hill / Closed Session: 6 pm; Open Session: approximately 7 pm
Agenda & Video Stream