TL; DR
The board
recognized outgoing Superintendent Dr. Nyah Hamlett for her 4+ years of leadership
announced and introduced Dr. Rodney Trice as CHCCS’ new leader
received an update presentation from the Exceptional Children’s Team
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The first order of business was a “Gratitude and Farewell” ceremony to recognize outgoing superintendent, Dr. Nyah Hamlett, for her four-and-one-half years of leadership. Presentations were made by the School Board, the District Leadership Team, and the Chapel Hill – Carrboro Association of Educators.
Next up was a public announcement of Dr. Rodney Trice as our next superintendent. Welcome Dr. Trice!!
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The major business item was an Exceptional Children’s Board Update presentation.
BACKGROUND: On May 15, 2025, the Exceptional Children's Department provided updates regarding the comprehensive review of the Exceptional Children's Child Count and demographics, as well as general updates and staffing. The board asked that the EC leadership return to address specific questions posed after the presentation.
On June 5, 2025, the EC team was joined by the Assistant Director of Finance, as well as the Executive Director of Research and Accountability. The team discussed the following topics:
EC Child Count/ Profile
Compliance Focus
EC Parent Survey
Our Fiscal Landscape
Specially Designed Instruction
Building Professional Capacity
Student Success- discipline and attendance
The following information (data) was pulled from the PowerPoint presentation.
April 2025 EC Child count
Total 1,353 students identified as Exceptional Children in grades K-12.
More males than females were identified, with White Males, Black Males, and Latinx with the highest numbers.
A total of 105 students are identified as Exceptional Children in PreK.
Largest groups were 506 students identified as Learning Disabled (LD), 286 for Autism, and 229 for Other Health Impaired (OH).
Three categories had less than 10 students: Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Impairment, and Intellectual Disability - Severe.
Pre-K categories with more than 10 students were Developmental Delay with 41, Autism with 35, and 20 with Speech or Language Impairment.
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Funding Source Budgeted Expenditures
State Public School Fund (Fund 1) $10,377,956
Local Operating Budget (Fund 2) $12,284,726
Federal Grants (Fund 3) $ 2,186,367
Other Local Grants (Fund 8) $ 1,604,245
Total EC Budget $ 26,453,294
Note: Over 80% of the students with disabilities in our district are served in the general education setting.
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Innovations - No or limited cost to CHCCS
Pre-Employment Transition Services Program
One of only two districts in the state running this type of program
Brings in $798,000
Funds TEACCH contract
Supports Transition Specialist, Transition Facilitator, & 2 Job Coaches
-80 Students (OCS, ECAC & FRC)
-76 Externships during the school year
-26 Summer Externships
Voices Together
Summer Opportunity
UNC TEACCH – 2025
Teacher Support: Science of Reading/Math
The North Carolina State Improvement Project (NCSIP)
2-year Instructor Training Process
Reading Research to Classroom Practice
Current Instructors in CHCCS: 3
Foundations of Math
Current Instructors in CHCCS: 1
Dyscalculia Delegate
Current Delegate in CHCCS: 1
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What’s Working… What’s Yet to Be Actualized
Working
Teams are becoming familiar with the processes and reaching out for support
Building a culture based on evidence-based practices and support
Increased Teacher buy-in
In Process
Consistent data collection processes
Structured PLC processes
Ongoing requests for evidence-based programs (Reading & Math)
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Aspirations
“We have the power to completely transform the narrative within the state and federal reports concerning our compliance data and CHCCS SWD achievement.
Our efforts and dedication can shine a bright light on their true potential, ensuring their struggles are recognized and their successes celebrated. Together, we can make a profound, lasting impact that changes perceptions and opens doors for a brighter future.”
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