Candidates for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education gathered for a forum on Monday, addressing questions submitted by the community regarding the school system's future.
The CHCCS PTA Council, Chapel-Hill Carrboro National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Special Needs Advisory Council hosted the forum, opting to ask 15 questions.
The forum focused on diversity and equal education for all students, but the questions for the candidates ranged from budget cuts to school closures caused by natural disasters.
The candidates answered questions regarding the separation of honors and advanced placement core courses from standard courses.
“Regardless of a student’s level, regardless of what course a student is in, we should have a high expectation and ask them to perform to that expectation level,” candidate Pat Heinrich said.
Academic standards and coursework are based on student achievement and ability, varying greatly among students of different circumstances.
Candidates said the gap between more challenged students and higher achievers is growing, and emphasized the importance of closing that gap for the future independence of challenged students.
“I think the board and the district can partner with community groups who understand where and how these groups can be successful and make sure we are doing everything we can at the school board to support those efforts,” candidate Rani Dasi said.
The candidates said community engagement is a key component in student success, and candidate Joal Hall Broun said the board could reach out to the community organizations in which students are involved to help them in reaching their goals.
