Why one of North Carolina's top school districts is eyeing closures
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Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools administrative offices in Chapel Hill. Photo: Katie Peralta Soloff/Axios
The board of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools could close up to two elementary schools as the district grapples with declining enrollment and budget shortfalls.
Why it matters: CHCCS is considered one of North Carolina's best school districts. But its academic excellence doesn't shield it from some of the same headwinds facing public school districts nationwide.
- School officials say closing a few aging facilities can help the district right-size itself to suit its current student population.
The latest: CHCCS is considering a few schools for closure: Seawell, Glenwood, Ephesus, Estes Hills and Frank Porter Graham Bilingüe.
- Any CHCCS elementary school closures would take effect in the 2027–2028 school year, according to district spokesperson Andy Jenks.
What they're saying: "We're operating more schools than we currently need," Jenks told Axios. "As we look at the future, we think newer, fewer schools will make us more sustainable."
What's happening: The school district with a population of just over 11,000 has lost about 1,500 students over the last decade, and that trend is expected to continue. There are a few reasons for this, Jenks and other school officials have said:
- Historically lower birth rates.
- High housing prices throughout the Chapel Hill area are making it hard for young families to move in.
- Some families are opting to homeschool their children or send them to charter or private schools.
By the numbers: County staff warned recently of a possible $21 million shortfall in next year's budget, the News & Observer reported.
- Closing a school could save $1.7 million a year, plus $10 million to $15 million in maintenance costs, per the N&O, citing Al Ciarochi, deputy superintendent for operations.
The big picture: The district isn't alone in considering school closures to address declining enrollment.
- In Philadelphia, public school officials have proposed closing 20 schools and modernizing about 160 buildings. In Atlanta, the Board of Education last year approved a controversial plan to close several elementary schools.
- Enrollment is also declining in other districts in the Triangle, including Durham Public Schools and Wake County Public Schools, but neither has proposed closing schools.
Between the lines: Before any closures, CHCCS would undertake a comprehensive redistricting process to balance enrollment districtwide — potentially affecting students beyond those at a closing school.
- "We won't just take those 300 students (from a closing school) and drop them at the next closest building," Jenks said.
Yes, but: Nearly all CHCCS schools are under capacity, Jenks said. But a few on the chopping block include ones that aren't — specifically Glenwood and FPG, two schools that house dual language programs.
- Glenwood parent Rachel Rossi said the school's Mandarin program "allows my children to learn Mandarin, not in isolation, but with real cultural context," the N&O reported.
- The district has said those programs would be housed in other facilities if the board votes to close the schools.
What's next: A decision about closures could come as soon as the board's first meeting in June.