Timeline of Bond Updates

In Fall 2024, voters in Orange County (including Chapel Hill and Carrboro) approved the school bond referendum and CHCCS will be provided the funding necessary to build a new Carrboro Elementary School (on the current site), a new Estes Hills Elementary School (on the current site) and a new FPG Bilingue Elementary School (site to be determined following more community engagement), while also including high priority maintenance projects at all remaining schools.

So what’s next?

Selecting Firms to Move the Replacement of Carrboro Elementary School Forward

In the fall of 2025, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education will begin selecting firms to help manage, design, and build a new Carrboro Elementary School that realizes the community's vision for safe, welcoming learning environments.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools staff will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in each of the following specializations, leading to interviews with qualified candidates in the winter of 2026:

Project Management
Architectural/Engineering Services
Construction Manager

Community input and Board updates:

August 2024

On August 15, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education approved a capital project plan to support the Orange County 2024 Bond Referendum. The plan sequentially prioritized the replacement of Carrboro Elementary School, Estes Hills Elementary School, and Frank Porter Graham Billinque’ Elementary School.

June 2025

On June 5, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education adopted a resolution to approve the Construction Manager at Risk delivery method for the replacement of Carrboro Elementary School.

The CMAR method is recommended based on its proven advantages in managing cost, schedule, and quality in complex public sector projects. This method allows for early collaboration between the project manager, construction manager and design team, helping to mitigate risk, enhance constructability, and deliver greater value to the district.

October 2025

On October 2, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education approved a project management contract in order to ensure that the replacement of Carrboro Elementary School is delivered on time, on budget, and built to the highest standards of quality and safety. School construction is a complex process requiring specialized expertise in design, compliance, budgeting, and scheduling that extends beyond the district’s internal capacity. An independent project manager will serve as the district’s advocate, ensuring that architects, engineers, and contractors remain accountable while safeguarding taxpayer resources.

To view materials shared with the Board of Education and the public on Oct 2, use this link.

December 2025

On December 4, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education approved the procurement of architectural and engineering services for the replacement of Carrboro Elementary School. These services will provide specialized expertise in design, engineering, compliance, budgeting, and scheduling to ensure the project is completed on time, within budget, and to high standards of quality and safety while supporting effective coordination and responsible use of taxpayer resources.

February 2026

On February 19, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education approved the use of Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) for the replacement of Carrboro Elementary School, with Clancy & Theys selected to serve as the construction manager. This approach supports timely, on-budget delivery with high standards of quality and safety. Under CMAR, Clancy & Theys will provide preconstruction services and assume responsibility for delivering the project within a Guaranteed Maximum Price, improving coordination, cost control, and accountability.

On February 19, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education accepted the initial site plan layout for the Carrboro Elementary School Replacement Project, as recommended by the Design Committee. This approval reflects early planning decisions regarding building placement, site circulation, access, and overall campus organization, allowing the project to move forward into more detailed design development while staying aligned with project goals and site requirements.

FAQs

What were the School Bond Referendum Election Results?

Orange County voters, supported the Orange County School Bond referendum In the 2024 general election to fund school replacements, renovations, and repairs with general obligation (GO) bonds totaling $300 million ($175M for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools & $125M for Orange County Schools. Over two-thirds voted in favor of the bond to fund priority capital projects identified by Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro County Schools, scheduled over the next ten years starting in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

What is a School Bond?

All facilities deteriorate with time and use. Older schools need repair, modernization, and, in some cases, replacement to create learning environments that meet current standards and support modern educational programs and services. State law requires County governments to fund public school facilities. In a bond referendum, voters have the power to decide if a government should be authorized to raise funds through the issuance of general obligation (GO) bonds. Funds from this school bond are restricted to be used exclusively for school facilities, and cannot be used to pay off existing debt.

Why is this happening?

A Capital Working Group was formed back in 2021, representing a collaboration between Orange County Government and the two school districts for which it is responsible: CHCCS and Orange County Schools. Orange County Government is directing its two school districts to modernize facilities by developing plans that look years into the future needs of our community. The county and its two school districts are working together to achieve these goals.

For more details about the Orange County School Bond visit www.orangecountyschoolbond.com

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