Orange County seeking $300M for schools. Here’s what Chapel Hill-Carrboro could do.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro parents and teachers could learn more Thursday about a plan to build new schools and shuffle students across the district over the next 10 years.

Orange County voters are being asked to approve a $300 million school bond in November. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board considered options for spending its part of the money in June, after hearing from people concerned about tight-knit school communities, walkability and student learning. The board could finalize a plan in August.

The most vocal opposition to the district’s initial plan came from neighbors around McDougle, Estes Hills and Phillips elementary and middle schools. McDougle Middle and Elementary schools have since been dropped from the plan.

However, as two of the district’s oldest schools with significant needs, Estes Hills and Phillips would be replaced, as would Frank Porter Graham and Carrboro elementary schools. The board is still deciding whether to replace or renovate Culbreth Middle School.

The bond also would upgrade classrooms and technology that are 30 to 70 years old.

“People are rightfully concerned” about how the plan will unfold and affect students and teachers, board Chair George Griffin said at the June 20 meeting. It’s “a big deal,” and the public should “stay engaged,” he said.

“We’ve needed a capital needs plan. We have one. We’ve needed county commissioners who see it as one of their important missions, and that is to find a way to help both school districts do some new school building or replace parts of buildings and renovate,” he said. “We just haven’t had this focus, so it’s a critical, important time.”

The board’s meeting will start at 7 p.m. Thursday at Lincoln Center, 650 S. Merritt Mill Road in Chapel Hill.

About the $300 million bond referendum

▪ Orange County voters will be asked on the Nov. 5 ballot : Should the county spend $300 million to build new schools and repair others. The debt, with interest, could be $480,360,000.

▪ Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools share : $174.7 million

▪ Orange County Schools share : $125.3 million

▪ Property taxes : The property tax rate could increase by 3.41 cents per $100 in July 2025 to pay the bill, adding $136.40 to the property tax bill for a home valued at $400,000.

▪ Additional tax rate increases are possible through at least 2035, county officials have said.

Wasn’t there already a schools bond?

Orange County voters approved a $120 million bond for schools in 2016:

▪ Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools : Spent over $72 million renovating Chapel Hill High School.

▪ Orange County Schools : Spent $48 million adding a Cedar Ridge High School wing and upgrading other schools, including roofs, security and mechanical systems.

▪ 2023 study : County and schools officials worked with Woolpert consultants to analyze both districts and found over $1 billion in school repair, renovation and construction needs.

What is the city schools plan?

School board members narrowed their options to four in June:

Option 2

▪ Move Morris Grove Elementary students to other schools with available seats, including Northside Elementary School.

▪ Construct a new building or addition at Morris Grove to serve students from the Frank Porter Graham, Carrboro and Northside Dual Language and Newcomer programs.

▪ Move other Carrboro students to Frank Porter Graham and rebuild Carrboro Elementary.

▪ Rebuild Culbreth Middle School, using Frank Porter Graham as a temporary school if needed, and then close Frank Porter Graham.

▪ Move Estes Hills Elementary students to other schools and use money from a future bond referendum to rebuild Estes Hills.

Option 2A

▪ This option is similar to Option 2, with some key differences:

▪ Culbreth Middle School would be renovated, not rebuilt.

▪ Estes Hills Elementary would be demolished, and a new Phillips Middle School would be built in its place. Estes Hills Elementary would be rebuilt on the current Phillips site with money from a future bond, or the board could build one school serving grades K-8.

Option 3

▪ Build a new elementary school for Frank Porter Graham students beside Morris Grove Elementary School.

▪ Move Carrboro students to Frank Porter Graham and replace Carrboro Elementary School.

▪ Move Culbreth Middle students — Frank Porter Graham could be a temporary school — and rebuild the middle school.

▪ Reassign Estes Hills Elementary students to other schools, and rebuild Estes Hills with money from a future bond.

Option 3A

▪ This option is similar to Option 3, but with some key differences:

▪ Culbreth Middle School would be renovated, not rebuilt.

▪ Estes Hills Elementary students would be moved to other schools, and a new Phillips Middle School would be built on the Estes Hills site. The elementary school could be rebuilt in the future or the board could build one school serving grades K-8.

How soon could the changes happen?

The plan being discussed now could be implemented between 2025 and 2035.

What about other school needs?

▪ The county designates money each year for school repair and maintenance needs. The 2024-25 budget, which took effect July 1, included $32.3 million for both districts.

▪ Voters could face another bond question for school needs in 10 years.

What is the Orange County Schools plan?

▪ A new, 600-student elementary school

▪ Partnership Academy kitchen and cafeteria

▪ Grady A. Brown Elementary and Orange High School renovations

▪ New greenhouses with hydroponic systems at Cedar Ridge and Orange high schools

▪ Roofs, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire alarm and intercom upgrades

▪ Career and technical education and exceptional children’s facility upgrades.

Are the city schools holding public meetings?

The district will hold public meetings in early August to share details and get feedback before the board votes:

▪ Thursday, Aug. 1 : 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Drive in Chapel Hill

▪ Wednesday, Aug. 7 : 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Southern Human Services Center, Homestead Road in Chapel Hill

▪ Thursday, Aug. 8 : 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Lincoln Center, Merritt Mill Road in Carrboro

What’s next for Chapel Hill-Carrboro?

Discussion : The Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 18, to discuss its options. The meeting will be streamed at tinyurl.com/udpkhs9k .

Vote : The board could make a decision in August.