CHAPEL HILL – The Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP is holding a press conference June 11, 11 a.m., at Lincoln Center to publicly declare our deep concerns with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District Office’s treatment of Carrboro High School Principal Helena Thomas.

The branch requests that CHCCS keep Dr. Thomas in her current role, in its full capacity, until there is an equitable and fair process to determine the facts and whether any action is, in fact, warranted. That includes restoring her to her full responsibilities immediately, including her participation in graduation. 

“In light of the recent walkout by students and parents May 29, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP insists that the District Office communicates and follows proper protocols and fair due process before taking any corrective actions against Dr. Thomas,” branch president Herman Foushee said. “Our support for Dr. Thomas emphasizes the NAACP’s commitment to the intersectionality of racial justice and employment and economic equity.”

These concerns are why the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP is compelled to mobilize to ensure that the District Office and School Board adhere to fair workplace policies, especially for those from marginalized communities. Since its inception, the NAACP has consistently advocated for just employment rights, viewing labor rights as integral to civil rights. 

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP holds firm that Carrboro High School has continued to excel as a top school in the district under Dr. Thomas’ leadership as shown in the data points below. Because of her stellar performance, the District Office offered her a new four-year contract on April 17.

* In last year’s NCTWCS survey, Carrboro High School received an overall rating of 75%, similar to 72.2% at East Chapel Hill and 87.2% at Chapel Hill High.

* CHS earned the highest scores across all three Panorama Surveys for students (spring 2023-24, fall 2024-25, and spring 2024-25) among traditional high schools in ALL categories: teacher-student relationships, sense of belonging, school safety, and school climate (with a 1-point difference for one item).

* While CHS experienced a modest decline of 8.4 points in academic growth and a 3-point drop in the performance grade score, it still maintained a B overall school performance grade. Another principal in the district saw a first-year 30-point decline in growth and an 8-point drop in the performance grade without public outcry or a crisis response by the District Office.

The branch supports the District Office’s efforts to review all complaints and to investigate legitimate claims raised by parents, students or staff. It only asks that it does so equitably and responsibly.

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