Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is considering closing one or more of its elementary schools as it faces budget issues and declining enrollment rates.

The school board has identified five schools that are more than 55 years old, saying it's a financial decision between closing one or more schools or cutting dozens of staff positions. During their meeting Thursday night, school leaders finalized the criteria that will be used to consider which and how many schools will close by the 2027-2028 school year.

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The schools being considered under the new criteria include Ephesus Elementary School, Glenwood Elementary School and Seawell Elementary School. Initially, Estes Hills Elementary School and Frank Porter Graham Elementary School were also being considered.

Families and staff from Estes Hills, Frank Porter Graham Bilingüe, Ephesus, Seawell and Glenwood schools all spoke out at the meeting. 

"I really don't want that because then I might have to go to another school and ride the bus, and I love to walk with my friends every day and bike," said Max Costanza a student in the district.

The superintendent for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools has expressed a need to find between $3 to $7 million by the spring to be able to present a balanced budget to the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

Many parents told WRAL News that they understand the bind that the district is in, but they want the board members to consider all the facts before they make any decisions.

Board chair Riza Jenkins said it may be the only option.

"It's not a fight of don't close my school, we have to close two schools full stop," she said. "We need the community to understand. It's really hard, and it's really sad." 

Seawell parent, Scott Babwah Brennen, is not convinced that closing any school would solve the long-term issue.

"Closing schools just is really mostly staff reductions, actually; it's probably not quite to address the actual budget deficit," Brennen said.

The decision won’t take effect immediately, as the board will listen to public feedback over the next few months and make a decision in June.