March Update
Mr. Jason Johnson, Orange High Principal,
Ms. Jacqueline Whitted, Instructional Assistant at Central Elementary
Celebrating Local Leaders
I want to congratulate Orange High Principal, Mr. Jason Johnson on being named a Finalist for the 2026 National Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
This recognition is especially meaningful to me because Mr. Johnson was my son’s principal. I saw firsthand the leadership and commitment he continues to bring to students, teachers, and families.
I also want to congratulate Ms. Jacqueline Whitted, Instructional Assistant at Central Elementary, for being named the OCS Classified Employee of the Month for March 2026. Again, my own kids were privy to her care and expertise. Colleagues describe her as the heart of the school: warm, patient, dedicated, and always going above and beyond to make students and staff feel supported and valued, and that is exactly how our family would describe her.
Orange County Schools are making sure children have what they need for a better tomorrow.
National Conversations About Growth
I recently traveled to Washington DC to attend the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference. While in DC, I had the honor of meeting with Senator Ted Budd and representatives for Senator Thom Tillis and Representative Valerie Foushee. Along with Commissioner Marilyn Carter, we talked about current events that affect NC and Orange County.
In Washington, D.C. with Orange County Commissioner Marilyn Carter and Person County Commissioner Antionetta Cash-Royster.
At the conference, one issue receiving significant attention was the rapid growth of large-scale data centers. There was an entire session focused specifically on their impact. Counties that host these facilities shared that as data centers continue to grow in size—especially with the expansion of artificial intelligence—the demand for electricity and water is an increasing concern for local communities.
These facilities, which house everything from cloud storage to artificial intelligence, require enormous infrastructure. Some large data centers can consume as much electricity as a medium-sized city and may require millions of gallons of water each day for cooling. One example often mentioned is Loudoun County, Virginia, which now hosts more than 200 data centers and has become known as “Data Center Alley.”
As soon as we returned, Commissioner Marilyn Carter put forward a motion that was unanimously approved, directing staff to investigate and report options for how data centers could be addressed in Orange County’s Land Use Plans. We’ll hear that presentation from staff on March 17, which will help us better understand the potential impacts these facilities could have on our community.
At the same time, Orange County is already in the process of updating our Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) — the rulebook that guides what can be built, where it can be built, and the standards developers must follow.
And while most of us don’t think about data centers in our daily lives, the reality is we depend on them every day. Every call we make, every app we open, and every moment we spend online relies on these facilities. But as their demand for power and water continues to grow, communities across the country are asking an important question:
Should local residents pay for the infrastructure needed to support them, or should the companies driving that demand cover those costs?
As we receive more information from staff and continue our UDO update, the Board will have the opportunity to carefully evaluate these issues and determine which approach makes the most sense for Orange County.
Seeing Our Water System Up Close
Touring the Hillsborough Water Treatment Plant with Superintendent Nathan Cates and Commissioner Marilyn Carter.
I recently joined several community members for a tour of the Hillsborough Water Treatment Plant, led by Superintendent Nathan Cates. Nathan walked us through how the facility treats and monitors our drinking water. He shared that the team is proud to report no evidence of “forever chemicals” in the water system, which is reassuring news for our community.
The plant is currently operating at about 60% of its treatment capacity, meaning there is still room within the system to support future growth while maintaining strong water quality standards.
Seeing the treatment up close reinforces how important it is to think carefully about how growth, infrastructure, and environmental protection all fit together.
Looking at the Regional Economy
I also attended the Economic Forecast Forum hosted by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, where economists, business leaders, and local officials discussed the economic outlook for our region. One of the presentations was given by Dr. Sarah Dickerson from the Kenan-Flagler Business School, a nonpartisan business think tank that studies economic trends across the country.
Dr. Dickerson highlighted that what continues to set the Triangle apart is our productivity and talent. The strength of our universities, workforce, and innovation economy continues to attract businesses and investment to the region.
At the same time, one of our biggest challenges is housing affordability. In Orange County, we rank among the least affordable. A major factor is the limited supply of starter homes, which is why communities across the region are discussing ways to expand what planners call “missing middle” housing”—options like townhomes, duplexes, and smaller homes that give working families more attainable ways to become home owners and enjoy living in the communities where they work.
These are exactly the kinds of issues we are taking into consideration as Orange County continues the work of updating our Land Use Plan and looking at how we guide growth moving forward.
Election Integrity in Orange County
The recent primary election was another reminder of how lucky we are in Orange County. Our Board of Elections handled the primary with care, efficiency and professionalism. Poll observers and election workers from both sides of the aisle worked in harmony to assure that voters felt safe and confident that their votes were counted. To that end, the BOCC recently passed a policy that guaranteed that no weapons, including firearms, were allowed inside polling places. As county officials, we will continue to respond to community concerns and do our part to protect voting rights.
As your commissioner, I want to hear from you if you have concerns about any issues in Orange County, and especially about concerns for our sacred right to vote. It is my honor and duty to represent you and do what I can to serve your interests.
On a personal note, last week, both of my children were on spring break. Both graduates of Orange County Schools, they are busy building their future lives. My daughter came home for break to spend time with us and catch up with friends, while my son took a few days to explore a future in finance in Los Angeles. He aspires to live and work in New York City.
My children built a strong foundation for success in our community while attending our public schools. Because of the opportunities and support they experienced here, they will continue to grow and learn as they move out into the world. That is why I stay focused and committed to making sure all children in Orange County continue to have similar or even better opportunities. The world is changing fast, so I hope you all will continue to inform me about what matters to you.
Yours in service,
