School health, physical education and wellness position reports progress; district and public‑health partnerships emphasized

Rob Schooley, the Chatham County Schools’ School Health, Physical Education and Wellness instructional program facilitator, briefed the Board of Commissioners June 16 on the 2024–25 year’s activities supported by a county–public health collaborative position.

Schooley described the position’s strategic approach — teacher resources, targeted professional development, and community partnerships — and noted the district serves just over 9,000 students in 20 schools. Staff used a program logic model to guide activities and measurement. Key accomplishments in the 2024–25 school year included: participation in the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey; rollout of a new substance‑use prevention curriculum aligned with state health standards; 40+ referrals addressed through the district mental‑health team; six Piedmont Health Service mobile dental unit site visits that provided care after more than 50 referrals; and collaboration with Duke on a health‑literacy study.

Schooley said teacher professional development focused on updated Healthy Living standards, substance‑use prevention and interpersonal communications. He noted partnerships with Duke Health, Research Triangle Institute (RTI), Piedmont Health Service and others to support students. Commissioners asked about data and outcome measurement; Schooley said RTI’s What Works in Schools program is conducting longer‑term evaluation with a focus on rural populations and that district staff will return with data in future updates. Schooley said he presents fuller results to the county Board of Health and can provide the commissioners with a more detailed update later in the year.