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September 18, 2026
Recap: Glenwood programs, elementary student redistricting

On Thursday night, the CHCCS Board of Education voted on the future placement of Glenwood Elementary School’s Mandarin World Language program.
 

What Was Decided?

  • Glenwood 4th grade students who are in Mandarin World Language today will be welcomed at Rashkis Elementary School for their 5th grade year (2027-28), where they will be included in the general student body and have a Mandarin World Language special (all other Rashkis students would continue to have a Spanish World Language special.) 

  • Furthermore, siblings of Glenwood’s currently enrolled Dual Language students will also be permitted to transfer to Rashkis where they will be included in the general student body. These siblings will instead have Spanish as their World Language special. (During a previous meeting, the Dual Language magnet program was assigned to Rashkis starting in 2027-28.)


This Means:

  • Next year (2027-28), all of Glenwood’s Mandarin Dual Language students who remain in the program will attend Rashkis.

  • Next year, the rising 5th grade class of Glenwood’s Mandarin World Language students who remain in the program will also attend Rashkis.

  • Next year, siblings of the Dual Language students will also be permitted to attend Rashkis as part of the general student body.

  • A CHCCS policy that allows siblings of students in specialty programs to apply for transfers to attend school with their sibling remains in effect.

  • Scroggs Elementary School is no longer being held as a placeholder for Glenwood’s World Language program.

  • CHCCS administration will continue to work closely with the Glenwood and Rashkis school communities on the forthcoming transition and communicate the details as they become available.
     

Meeting Video: Click here to watch the video of the September 17 Public Comments, Administration’s presentation, Board discussion and votes (approximately 2.5 hours).


Soon: Fall 2026 Redistricting Process

As you may know, these decisions are not happening because of Glenwood Elementary School specifically. They are happening because of the larger, broader issue of our district’s enrollment trends and state funding. Closing Glenwood Elementary School and addressing what happens to its existing programs are one part of this work. The next part will be about balancing student enrollment at our remaining 10 elementary schools. The term for this is “redistricting”. The last time CHCCS did a redistricting process was in 2013. 
 

Look for more detailed communication on the redistricting topic starting next Tuesday.


Stay Informed

For progress updates throughout the fall, please continue to visit this webpage.

September 17, 2026
Board of Education Meeting: Glenwood Program Vote

Thursday, September 17: The Board of Education is expected to discuss and make a decision regarding the future of Glenwood Elementary School’s STEAM² World Language program.

This is the next step following the Board’s difficult decision to close Glenwood Elementary School after the 2026-27 school year and moving its STEAM² Dual Language magnet program to Rashkis Elementary School beginning in 2027-28 (for previous details, we encourage you to visit this webpage.)

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How the Board meeting will work: 

  • The meeting will take place on Thursday, September 17, at the usual location: Lincoln Center, 750 S. Merritt Mill Rd., Chapel Hill. Board meetings are also livestreamed (the viewing link and agenda materials will appear on this page.) 

  • 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.)

  • Public comment will get started closer to 7:30 p.m. Individuals who wish to speak will be allowed up to two (2) minutes.

  • Written public comments are also accepted at https://www.chccstogether.org/contact. Written public comments will be available for viewing but will not be read during the meeting.
     

Looking Ahead: Redistricting

Also on Thursday, CHCCS will introduce the next part of our response to current student enrollment numbers. It is the process known as “redistricting”. 
 

Supported by expert demographer data and community feedback, we will spend the fall of 2026 developing proposed attendance boundary changes to balance student enrollment across our remaining 10 elementary schools.
 

The process will include community meetings, draft boundary scenarios, opportunities for feedback and revisions based on community input before any final decisions are made. The process is expected to conclude in January 2027 (not in December, as previously communicated), so that any attendance boundary changes that take effect for the 2027-28 school year are known well in advance.
 

How to Participate

We encourage everyone to stay informed and engaged by attending meetings or visiting this webpage for updates. 
 

As always, we remain committed to a transparent, thoughtful and respectful conversation as we move forward in maintaining the best educational environment for our students.

August 20, 2026
Board Meeting Recap: Glenwood Programs, Redistricting Next Steps

On Aug. 20, the CHCCS Board of Education addressed the future placement of Glenwood Elementary School’s Mandarin language magnet programs.
 

What Was Decided?

The Board voted to place the Dual Language program at Rashkis Elementary School, starting with the 2027-28 school year. The Board asked for more time to consider the World Language program.

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This Means:
 

  • Starting in 2027-28, Rashkis Elementary School will house the Mandarin Dual Language Program.

  • The Board directed the CHCCS administration to get more staff and family feedback on the World Language program before making a decision at a September Board meeting. If the Board decides to move World Language to a different school, that school would be Scroggs Elementary. The Board raised questions that included whether the World Language program should remain a “magnet” program, and how the administration and school communities can work together to envision the future of the program.

  • More details about additional community engagement opportunities will be shared as soon as possible.
     

Meeting Materials:

What's Next: Fall 2026 Redistricting Process

As you may know, these decisions are not happening because of Glenwood Elementary School specifically. They are happening because of the larger, broader issue of our district’s enrollment trends and state funding (see Past News & Information). Closing an elementary school and moving its programs are one part. The next part will be about balancing student enrollment at our remaining 10 elementary schools. The term for this is “redistricting”, and you’ll be hearing a lot about it this fall. The last time CHCCS did a redistricting process was in 2013. 
 

  • Goal: Update school attendance zones within the District to rebalance enrollment numbers across the remaining 10 elementary schools. This helps make sure public resources are used equitably across the district. 

  • Method: CHCCS will partner with expert demographers and initiate a public, transparent process featuring community meetings, draft boundary scenarios and ample opportunities for revisions based on community input and feedback.

  • Timeline: The new boundaries are expected to be known by December, so that any future school changes are shared with families well in advance, before taking effect for the 2027-28 school year.

  • More information: Expect more details in September. 
     

Stay Informed

We remain deeply committed to moving forward thoughtfully, transparently and collaboratively throughout these important changes.

August 14, 2026
Upcoming Board of Education Meeting, Glenwood Programs Vote

On Thursday, August 20, the Board of Education is expected to discuss the future locations of Glenwood’s magnet programs: STEAM² Dual Language and STEAM² World Language (also referred to as the Mandarin programs.) 

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This is the next step following the Board’s difficult decision to close Glenwood elementary school after the 2026-27 school year (if you’re new to CHCCS and would like to get caught up, we encourage you to visit the prior communications included on this page.)

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What to expect:

The Board will consider two options that would take effect in 2027-28. These include keeping all Glenwood students together at another elementary school or placing the two programs at separate schools.

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We know this is an important decision for Glenwood families as well as the potential receiving schools, and our goal is to find the best long-term solution for all students, families and programs.


How the Board meeting will work: ​

  • The meeting will take place on Thursday, August 20, 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.) 

  • 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.)

  • Public comment will take place shortly after 7 p.m. Individuals who wish to speak will be allowed up to two (2) minutes.

  • Written public comments 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.
     

Scheduling Note: 

We know that elementary schools are also hosting "Meet the Teacher" events on Thursday, August 20. The school events are scheduled to conclude between 6:30-7 p.m. The Board will hear public comment and then discuss Glenwood Elementary School shortly after 7 p.m. 
 

Looking Ahead: Post-Decision Redistricting

Determining the locations of the Glenwood programs is the first step before CHCCS can begin the broader student redistricting process involving all elementary schools.
 

Beginning in September, CHCCS will launch a comprehensive public process. Supported by expert demographer data and community feedback, we will propose attendance boundary changes to balance student enrollment across our remaining 10 elementary schools. The process is expected to conclude in December, so that any attendance boundary changes that take effect for the 2027-28 school year are known well in advance.
 

How to Participate

We encourage everyone to stay informed and engaged by attending future meetings or checking this page, CHCCSTogether.org, for updates. 
 

As always, we remain committed to a transparent, thoughtful and respectful conversation as we move forward in maintaining the best educational environment for our students.

July 16, 2026
Recap: Glenwood ES programs, elementary student redistricting

On Thursday, July 16, the CHCCS Board of Education held its first regularly scheduled meeting since the vote to close Glenwood Elementary School after the 2026-27 school year.

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What was discussed?

The Board began discussing where Glenwood Elementary School's STEAM² Dual Language and STEAM² World Language programs could be located in 2027-28, after the school closes. These programs serve approximately 400 students in grades K-5.

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The discussion focused on two general options the Board will consider:

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  1. Keeping all Glenwood students together by moving both programs (approximately 400 students) to Rashkis Elementary School, effective in 2027-28.

  2. Splitting the programs between Rashkis and Mary Scroggs elementary schools. For example, placing the Dual Language program (approximately 200 students) at one of those schools and the World Language program (another 200 students) at the other, effective in 2027-28.
     

No votes took place at the July 16 meeting. Instead, the Board reviewed information and initiated the discussion regarding these options.

What’s Next? Group Meetings

The CHCCS administration would like to bring together community stakeholders -in particular, representative groups from Glenwood, Rashkis and Scroggs- to hear community feedback on these options. 

  • These small-group sessions would be held separately, with representatives from each of the three school communities.

  • Dates and times are not yet scheduled, but they will likely occur in early or mid-August. 

  • School principals and PTA/SIT leadership will be contacted to help schedule these meetings and gather participants.
     

The Board is expected to make a final decision regarding Glenwood Elementary School's programs at its August 20 meeting. Once that decision is reached, CHCCS will then begin a redistricting process this fall to determine how to best balance student enrollment across the remaining 10 elementary schools.
 

Stay Informed

We encourage everyone to stay informed and engaged by attending future meetings or visiting CHCCSTogether.org for updates. 
 

As always, we remain committed to a transparent, thoughtful and respectful conversation as we move forward in maintaining the best educational environment for our students.

July 9, 2026
Glenwood Elementary School programs, student redistricting

On Thursday, July 16, the CHCCS Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting. This will be the Board’s first public meeting since voting to close Glenwood Elementary School after the 2026-27 school year (the agenda will be posted here by 5 p.m. Friday, July 10.) 


What will be discussed?

The Board is expected to begin talking about where Glenwood Elementary School's STEAM² Dual Language and STEAM² World Language programs could be located after the school closes. These programs serve approximately 400 students in grades K-5. 


This discussion will focus on two general options:

  1. Keeping all Glenwood students together by moving both programs to another CHCCS elementary school.

  2. Splitting the programs between two schools. For example, placing the Dual Language program at one school and the World Language program at another.
     

No votes will take place at the July 16 meeting. Instead, the Board will review information and begin discussing the options.
 

The Board is expected to make a decision regarding Glenwood Elementary School's programs at its August 20 meeting. After that, CHCCS can begin a redistricting process to determine how to best balance student enrollment across our remaining 10 elementary schools. 

How to participate: 
 

  • The July 16 meeting takes place at Lincoln Center, 750 S. Merritt Mill Rd., Chapel Hill. Board meetings are also livestreamed (the link will appear on this page.) 

  • 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.)

  • Public comment will take place shortly after 7 p.m. Speakers will have up to two (2) minutes each.

  • If you prefer to write your comments, you may submit written public comments about Glenwood’s programs or student redistricting using https://www.chccstogether.org/contact. Written public comments will be available for viewing but will not be read during the meeting.


We encourage everyone to stay informed and engaged by attending the meeting, watching online or visiting this webpage for updates. 


As always, we remain committed to a transparent, thoughtful and respectful conversation as we move forward in maintaining the best educational environment for our students.

June 30, 2026
Glenwood Elementary School: What’s Next?

Now that the decision has been made to close Glenwood Elementary School after the 2026-27 school year, CHCCS and the Board of Education remain committed to being transparent throughout the next phases of this process.

 

This July and August, the Board will have public discussions regarding the future location(s) of Glenwood’s Mandarin Dual Language and World Language programs. Once those program decisions are made, we will assess the implications for the overall redistricting process involving all CHCCS elementary schools.

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Our goal is to complete the redistricting process by December 2026, providing families with ample time to prepare for any school attendance boundary changes that would take effect in 2027-28. Should adjustments to this timeline become necessary, we will communicate them promptly.

 

As always, we encourage participation and feedback from parents, staff, families and community members. Your input is essential as we work together to achieve the best possible educational outcomes for our students. Use the “Contact” link on this webpage to make public comments. 


Next Board of Education Meetings:

  • Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m.

  • Thursday, Aug. 20, 7 p.m.

  • Location: Lincoln Center, 750 S. Merritt Mill Rd., Chapel Hill

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. 

  • 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).  

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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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Chinese Language Update - June 4th

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)

English / Spanish / Chinese

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Full Study (104 pages)

Full Study (PDF, English)

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:

  • Provide additional data

  • Add factual information, alongside public comments and Board discussions

  • Fullfill a legally required procedural step

 

The study does not:

  • Weigh, prioritize or score any criteria for the closure of a specific school

  • Propose specific recommendations or judgments on any school

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Video recording: May 7 Board of Education Meeting (YouTube)

  • Administration presentation

  • Board of Education discussion

  • 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:

  • 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.

  • 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:

  • 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.) 

  • 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.)

  • The study’s release will involve a presentation by district staff, and discussion/questions by the Board of Education.

  • 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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