Shaping the Future Together
New: Message from the Superintendent, Decision on Glenwood Elementary
Last night, as you now know, the Board of Education voted to close Glenwood Elementary School beginning with the 2027-28 school year.
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Today, I am writing to you not just as superintendent, but as a parent and community member who has heard your stories and understands the weight of this change. For more than 75 years, Glenwood has been more than a building, it has been a community where generations have grown, and the sadness many feel with the closure of this school is justified.
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At the same time, I want to assure you that this decision, however hard, was necessary for the long-term wellbeing of our District and its students. In listening to your comments and messages over the past few months, your voices were a constant reminder that central to this process was people, and we will continue to act with you in mind.
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Our priority now is to move forward with care and a steadfast commitment to every affected student, family and staff member. As we begin this transition, I make these commitments to you:
Students will remain our first priority. Every decision will be guided by our students' well-being, learning and sense of belonging.
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We will honor Glenwood's legacy. While the building may close, the programs that define the community will continue. We remain fully committed to the STEAM² (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math and Mandarin) Dual Language and World Language programs. By August, my administration will develop scenarios for where we can house those two programs.
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We will engage the community. Starting this fall, we will also begin a student redistricting process involving all elementary schools in order to balance enrollment numbers. The redistricting process will be transparent, offering meaningful opportunities for families and staff to provide feedback.
We will communicate clearly. We will provide regular updates as timelines and decisions become clearer, so that you know what to expect.
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In the coming months, we will work together on implementation details while also finding time to celebrate Glenwood's impact. We will continue to listen and be good partners throughout this transition.
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While these challenges are significant, I am confident that our community's strength will help us navigate this change in a way that honors our past and supports our future.
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Thank you for your engagement, your care for one another and for continuing to walk alongside us as we navigate this transition together.
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Sincerely,
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Dr. Rodney N. Trice
Superintendent​​
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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.
On June 4, 2026, the CHCCS Board of Education voted 7-0 to close Glenwood Elementary School based on several factors, including:
Impact on Students & Instructional Programs
Demographic & Enrollment Trends
Operational & Maintenance Cost Data
Community Feedback
Timeline
Latest News & Information
June 4, 2026
Board of Education Meeting
This evening, the CHCCS Board of Education voted 7-0 to close Glenwood Elementary School effective for the 2027-28 school year.
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Glenwood will still be open normally for all of this upcoming school year (2026-27), and all programs housed at the school will remain during the school year.
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Programs such as STEAM² (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math and Mandarin) Dual Language and STEAM² World Language will also continue after Glenwood’s closure, but the logistics of the programs may look different after the redistricting process (more on that below).
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By August of this year, District leadership will develop scenarios for where Glenwood’s STEAM² Dual Language and STEAM² World Language programs may be housed in the 2027-28 school year
Why This Decision Was Made
We recognize this decision carries deep emotions and significant impact for students, families, staff, and the broader community. This is not a decision anyone wanted to make, and we know many in our community will be grieving the loss of a beloved school and community. At the same time, we believe this moment also creates new opportunities to strengthen our District for the future.
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Throughout this process, our focus has remained on sustaining strong academic programs, supporting students and staff, and ensuring CHCCS can continue delivering the high-quality educational experience our community expects and deserves.
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We want to be clear: this decision is about buildings and district sustainability. Our commitment to every Glenwood staff member, student, and family remains as strong as it has ever been, even as some aspects of our work will look different moving forward.
How to Talk to Your Kids About It
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Validate their feelings. Students, families, and staff may feel a range of emotions from sadness to anger. This is normal, and many others will feel this way, too.
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Listen to their worries. Let your child tell you what they are worried about. At this time, you may not know the answers, and that’s OK. Answer what you do know, and tell them you will be on the lookout for more answers from the district.
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Assure your child that the adults will work hard to make for a smooth transition. While Glenwood is special, all schools have things that make them special too. Once you find out which new school they will attend in the 2027-28 school year, the adults will help them learn what’s special about it. The teachers, principals, counselors, and other staff will work hard to ensure that they enjoy their new school, too.
Next Steps: Redistricting Process
As we begin this transition, we are committed to minimizing disruption for students and families as much as possible. Glenwood will be open as usual for the entire upcoming school year (2026-27). Initial redistricting planning involving all elementary schools will begin in the late summer/early fall, and the District will launch a comprehensive public process that includes community meetings, draft options, opportunities for feedback, and revisions before any final decisions are made.
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We encourage our community to stay engaged throughout this process. More information about next steps, timelines, and opportunities for participation will be shared as soon as possible.
Staying Informed
We have remained committed to moving forward with transparency, care, and respect throughout this process and will continue to do so as we work to implement this decision with the minimum disruption possible for staff, students, and families.
English Language Update- June 4th
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Spanish Language Update- June 4th
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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
TBD
This section will be updated as new meetings are scheduled.