[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6052620,"mediaKeyId","3394740-ac7c1a4d4415353fc5890795b4587e62","parentId",3394740,"title","East Chapel Hill Latin teacher warns course cuts are shrinking elective offerings","audioSeconds",440,"startMs",7560000,"endMs",8000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3394740-ac7c1a4d4415353fc5890795b4587e62&start=7560&end=8000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3394740-ac7c1a4d4415353fc5890795b4587e62/thumbnail_7560000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6052620/North-Carolina/East-Chapel-Hill-Latin-teacher-warns-course-cuts-are-shrinking-elective-offerings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052620-662243c7de2ec80f58698bb466bcad1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771117053&Signature=ckfUDY8Fn8jUAvfvL13h2AZU~dXBVZClh7eFhfSW9~gQ6WP~Kc2tNfMnEokGLT~d1-84y1iWjm~f1Xqi12kFb7UUZ6BObGCARbv5kBCyu6mefB-ZTzz9rmely5VKg-ksTTRZdWirSURN3dLnI9xRbDLYPk~Ue1jrqtQywG8BYd3vXbK7XftmsRoh7BHrlTgV7mYJ~inVyEFAYjmPvJ0OoLpFTVAJLrHoBm1O8zDnDLuZfrXfxI7lsIUd~RanC1clc4xa~Cws0NAKDI3f8nZzp0I83i01zvsMpqqUQTTT1wH9rIjaxLrrQVDvsfNbNWdwTW9TfdsVe4q0laxZWBJEVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chapel Hill-Carrboro ","date","2025-04-17T00:00:00Z","article","Jenny Hoffman, a Latin teacher at East Chapel Hill High School, told the school board she is unsure whether she will have a job next year and urged the district to explain why Latin and other elective courses are being reduced.

\"Why are Latin classes being systematically cut across the district despite assurances that this is in fact not the case?\" Hoffman asked. She said Latin I will be offered next year only at Smith Middle School’s LEAP program unless the district acts, and she called on the district to use initial student enrollment requests as the baseline for determining offerings and to involve classroom teachers in allotment and staffing decisions.

Hoffman said enrollment numbers support offering Latin I at more schools and asked the district to recruit teachers to fill vacant positions so courses can run in person rather than relying on NCVPS (North Carolina Virtual Public School) offerings. She also listed other electives — art, chorus, band, orchestra and French — as facing cuts, reduced grade-level offerings or understaffing.

Board members acknowledged her concerns and asked the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Association of Educators (CHCAE) president, Brian Lank, to take the specific questions back to his organization for formal comment. Lank earlier praised the board's budget request and said educators stand ready to help with outreach to county commissioners.

Hoffman asked for transparency about how allotments are determined, suggesting the curriculum management team and the board should be part of conversations about staffing and course offerings. The board did not take an immediate formal vote on staffing or curriculum changes during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education Work Session April 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Teacher Jenny Hoffman told the board that Latin and other elective courses are being cut or understaffed and asked the district for enrollment transparency and teacher recruitment to preserve award-winning electives.","taxTitle","Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14084,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6052625,"Board proclaims April 2025 School Library Month and honors district librarians",3399,7033000,10432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3394740-ac7c1a4d4415353fc5890795b4587e62&start=7033&end=10432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3394740-ac7c1a4d4415353fc5890795b4587e62/thumbnail_7033000.jpg","/articles/6052625/North-Carolina/Board-proclaims-April-2025-School-Library-Month-and-honors-district-librarians","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052625-7f005516632b9f4648230ee91e3f2543/orig.mp4?Expires=1771117053&Signature=Jk6ud78ChLozVpiX1z-elfmmtPj8faKaxGaO5El-3Jc9lS6zKqeMMAiRorYtg~2yoG4TIfhs8b99hN7t9rkhLP-W~UII~MvWwCfa-bqwGf1~3GYF3-Kwh0D-EYToAwA9l2Pfy0cGyT4UxHaBDSco-Zc4JiN88bDVUtswI3z9eZsTBS9tsNajSQjOVGvQ1kkmsR~l5EnyscD1QtNb5XNnn27li8DFMHi3lr9797N9MTYRsHyIYL2WaTs76dXp6PFOxy3fMZIexXShcnIfhitX-vSiFxDLM6TdWAOvbz9cwfT1~qEbzgicWL-byaNl~KXDQHKGwxPwOf~GFAbNJUPs5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools proclaimed April 2025 as School Library Month and publicly recognized district librarians on Wednesday.

Board members read a multi-paragraph proclamation noting that school libraries \"ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information\" and that school librarians provide \"leadership and expertise\" integral to instruction. The proclamation concluded: \"the Board of Education of Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools does hereby proclaim April 2025 as school library month in all of the public schools of Chapel Hill Carrboro City System.\" Board members then invited district librarians to introduce themselves and speak briefly.

District staff and librarians described libraries as \"dynamic learning hubs\" that promote reading, research skills and community. The district's director of digital learning and libraries (identified in the meeting only by title) said school libraries \"support student learning, foster a love of reading, and cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.\" Librarians from several schools introduced themselves to the board: Bailey Norman (librarian, Ephesus Elementary School); Catherine Cole (librarian, Northside); Janine Pharr (serving Carrboro High School); Tyson Hallett (librarian, Carrboro Elementary); and others who identified their schools.

Public commenters also highlighted libraries. Catherine Cole, the Northside school librarian, said libraries are \"sanctuaries\" that \"allow us to be seekers of wisdom and searchers of truth,\" and read a short poem during her remarks. Bailey Norman of Ephesus Elementary told the board that fully funded libraries with certified librarians, assistants and instructional-technology facilitators ensure equitable access to books and meaningful digital learning; she asked the board to protect library budgets and staff positions.

Tyson Hallett, Carrboro Elementary librarian, presented survey findings from his fifth-grade class showing that the school library is the top overall book source for students; he noted that students who do not use public libraries rely on school libraries and cited the PTA Book Bucks program as filling gaps. Several board members thanked librarians for their work and recognized the importance of libraries amid statewide debates about book access and legislation.

The proclamation and public remarks were ceremonial but substantively underscored district library staffing needs and community reliance on school libraries as sources of books, access and literacy support.","The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education declared April 2025 School Library Month and recognized school librarians at several schools; librarians and board members stressed libraries' role in literacy, equity and community.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6052630,"Board approves budget request and capital investment plan; both votes unanimous",268,11337000,11605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3394740-ac7c1a4d4415353fc5890795b4587e62&start=11337&end=11605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3394740-ac7c1a4d4415353fc5890795b4587e62/thumbnail_11337000.jpg","/articles/6052630/North-Carolina/Board-approves-budget-request-and-capital-investment-plan-both-votes-unanimous","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052630-8ccb32afaf330866a3468c9199b9b09c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771117053&Signature=j0xLWLQudd7I5oyqXoV3vNRGcglEaFowOnQvP0-MXXPWkZu1IBEWgb68LMCC0I37rWHJEJFvvfzbXT97hImTRsW1e9oKEkr5Oq1ihHOnCFraOgrLoTWIaKRH65fRiNNzaeeabL3-YuZDjWUXThvX7oOpVFAytSAApLfPQiV7veoPMO8fv3zm~vsmwibbPvjWev6QyCG1OjvTsBorHaAGP0-ah8Fwwva5-ONpU4oT7xYwEfKyoab8cBUw5TA64O93pkJWsiI266ZZqiTGOG6N7-H-50Dnwz3DpDfEJcdQThfzwFvIGogJdSDOpmmP0KM0bpEaie1U-LeyURty7XN7EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education unanimously approved on Wednesday two formal actions: the fiscal-year budget request to the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the district's fiscal-year 2025–2030 capital investment plan.

Board members voted to direct the superintendent to submit the Board’s proposed budget request and accompanying documentation to the county and authorized the Orange County manager and commissioners to increase the special-district tax up to the amount necessary to fully fund the approved request. The motion passed with unanimous voice approval.

Separately, the board approved the district’s capital investment plan for fiscal years 2025–2030. Board members were told the plan had been presented on multiple occasions, included public input, and — if adopted by the county — will proceed through the county’s budget process; the board's approval sends the plan to county officials for consideration. That motion also passed unanimously.

Neither vote recorded named individual roll-call tallies in the meeting transcript; both were adopted by voice vote with no opposition.

Board discussion before the votes focused on process and next steps. Chief financial staff described that the budget request reflected two months of work beginning with the superintendent’s proposed request and incorporating public input and iterative work sessions. For the capital plan, staff noted the item had been presented three times and that approval would allow the county to consider the plan as part of its June 5 budget process.

Both actions were procedural approvals required to move the district’s proposals to the county level for final funding decisions.","The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education unanimously approved the fiscal-year funding request to Orange County commissioners and a multi-year capital investment plan, and authorized the county to raise the special-district tax if needed to fully fund the request.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6052635,"Parents, teachers and students urge district to curb screen time and tighten student-data controls",2361,7569000,9930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3394740-ac7c1a4d4415353fc5890795b4587e62&start=7569&end=9930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3394740-ac7c1a4d4415353fc5890795b4587e62/thumbnail_7569000.jpg","/articles/6052635/North-Carolina/Parents-teachers-and-students-urge-district-to-curb-screen-time-and-tighten-student-data-controls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052635-72dd50b7782677e564c47d1de20fce20/orig.mp4?Expires=1771117053&Signature=FiSJ3GREBlBpDrChNdQetLAyOsOIrDfJStNXauXwCe-nzvdj6r1Vxake7MPbja058H5VZBl07EYTc0XiF0kFoztM1kHzMjMs-CprN7QfNcNzb4c9H5jIzuOKr80lfgm7L67aK9Vu2b4Z~U222akgZeZZtvB4Km3SPxT-QcPE-Po4NxGAewBgQYTYzGfRwu5jchXg7OA1YgRnpoQFEKuAi2Tm9WlGREe23gjX5NRa~SH3f2752z8zhGqNkeZeIGF6aO5FOrkbuIGdes9GI24dW0PJnAei4FHRGQ5xsrtjSjuSW4qWLKmVLdJKyeRsxRExp-fHye8IweIg8v7inJ6amw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A slate of parents, teachers, health professionals and students urged the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education on Wednesday to limit in-class screen time, reconsider some educational technology platforms and tighten student-data protections.

Speakers said long stretches of device use are harming student sleep, attention and social development, and they called for clearer district policies and better vetting of vendors. \"Let's do what's best for our kids' learning and well-being,\" said Mary Beth Roche, an Estes Hills parent and digital-wellness educator. \"When we know better we do better.\"

The concerns ranged from classroom pedagogy to privacy. Rebecca Chasnovitz, a primary-care pediatrician and associate professor at the UNC School of Medicine, told the board youth now \"spend an average of 7 and a half hours every day on screens,\" and that excessive screen use exacerbates sleep problems, headaches and mental-health symptoms. Jessica Zaghemzy, a UNC School of Nursing professor, said studies show multitasking on devices lowers comprehension and urged limiting personal devices in classrooms.

Student-data privacy featured prominently. Derek Sadie, a parent with a 25-year career in educational technology, cited the recent PowerSchool breach and national analyses showing widespread data sharing by educational apps. \"The business model for EdTech is simple. They extract user data for profit,\" Sadie said, and urged the district to demand vendor transparency, reduce the number of platforms in use, and require vendors to commit to not sharing student data and to delete data at the end of the school year.

Voices from inside classrooms included a middle-school student, Ben Pavlis, whose remarks were read by his mother, Lauren Pavlis. Ben criticized classroom device use and said many students \"play video games on websites such as pizza edition\" and bypass school filters, adding that EdTech programs like IXL and Edpuzzles provide little educational value and are often frustrating.

Several speakers described classroom experiences in which devices distracted rather than aided learning. Johnny Stabroek, a parent and former English professor, described a school math night where his kindergarten son was engaged at tables using hands-on activities but became isolated and disengaged at a tablet-based activity. \"He put on his headphones, he logged into the tablet, and he stopped speaking to me,\" Stabroek said.

Speakers proposed concrete steps: audit average daily screen time by school, prioritize age-appropriate uses of devices, limit personal device use, centralize and reduce the number of ed-tech platforms to allow meaningful oversight, and require stronger vendor data protections and auditability. Derek Sadie suggested vendors should disclose what they collect and commit to deletion of student records at year end.

Board members acknowledged the concerns and urged continued conversation with classroom teachers, students and the community. Board member comments noted some issues (for example, state funding and policy limits) lie beyond the local board's authority.

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting included references to a recent PowerSchool data breach, national reports on app data-sharing rates cited by speakers, and multiple specific classroom examples of device overuse and student disengagement. Speakers requested an audit of device time and tighter vetting of ed-tech platforms.

The board did not take a formal action on these requests during the meeting; speakers were invited to continue the conversation with staff and board committees and to provide more input for policy development.","At a Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board meeting, more than a dozen speakers — including educators, health professionals, parents and a student — urged the district to reduce classroom screen time, scrutinize educational technology and strengthen student data protections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

East Chapel Hill Latin teacher warns course cuts are shrinking elective offerings

Board proclaims April 2025 School Library Month and honors district librarians

Board approves budget request and capital investment plan; both votes unanimous

Parents, teachers and students urge district to curb screen time and tighten student-data controls