We are going through trying times.
Over the past several years, the state and federal governments have thrown up a continuous barrage of challenges that, frankly, make it harder for public schools to deliver what students need. These decisions have also made life more stressful and difficult for students, educators, and families. Some examples of these activities include: federal funding cuts (which we expect may deepen in the coming years); inadequate state funding for public education while redirecting hundreds of millions of dollars each year to private school vouchers; the failure to pass a state budget; immigration raids; targeted attacks on LGBTQ+ people; cuts to SNAP and Medicaid; this list could go on.
In stressful, uncertain times like these, it’s important for our schools here in Orange County to be steady and supportive, and to adapt nimbly. We cannot let these challenges get in the way of our most important responsibility: educating and supporting every single student in our district. We must be true to our values as a district, including our commitments to being a welcoming, inclusive community and addressing persistent inequities. We must understand how these events are impacting students, and respond to that. We must minimize the harm of possible budget cuts by making sure every dollar is well-spent. And we must communicate clearly and proactively about what’s going on and how we’re moving forward, with our students at the center of every decision.
Great things are happening.
Despite these headwinds, there are wonderful things happening all over Orange County Schools, and we are poised to gain even more momentum.
Last year, 100% of schools Met or Exceeded Growth, and the district has seen four straight years of academic improvements. Many individual schools had impressive things to celebrate -- several were in the top 5% of academic growth in the state; several others had the most students proficient since the state started measuring it.
Principal Jason Johnson of Orange High School was named the 2024-25 North Carolina Principal of the Year. Among other things, he was recognized for the work he's done to empower OHS teachers and students and involve them in the school improvement process.
Rebeckah Goras of A.L. Stanback Middle School is a finalist for North Carolina Beginning Teacher of the Year this year. (Wish her luck!)
Selena Masse of Orange Middle School was named the inaugural North Carolina Holocaust Educator of the Year.
OCS students taking International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams are more likely to earn scores that will give them college credits, compared to all IB and AP test-takers. And nearly 300 OCS students took college coursework at Durham Tech and Alamance Community College.
OCS students have won state and national awards this year for their accomplishments in a wide range of extracurricular activities and athletics:
Battle of the Books! DECA/Marketing! Cabinet Making! Future Farmers of America (FFA)! Visual Arts! Swimming! Cross Country! And more...
These things don't happen on their own. OCS has incredible teachers and leaders and staff. With a great team, a clear vision of where we're going, and a shared commitment to "getting better at getting better," Orange County Schools is ready to build on this success in the years ahead. As a board member, I aim to keep our focus on staying true to our values in the years ahead, continuously improving things for students and staff, and deepening how we collaborate and work together to solve our biggest challenges.