Xpress sits down with both district leaders to break down 2023’s challenges as well as their visions for the year ahead for local public schools.
Warren Wilson College revamps its academic offerings
Warren Wilson Provost Jay Roberts calls the college’s shuffle of academic offerings, announced in October, a “rebalancing.” Alongside layoffs, frozen positions and increased fundraising, the changes will address financial woes wrought by flattening tuition revenue and increased expenses.
Legal case could be costly for PEAK Academy, which was established to close student achievement gap
PEAK officials are adamant that all applicants for student and faculty positions are welcome, regardless of race, and that the school does not discriminate in any way.
Asheville school board delays vote on Parents’ Bill of Rights policies
Board Chair George Sieburg said board members wanted to explore how to show support to teachers and students in the policies beyond what has been provided by the N.C. School Boards Association.
Buncombe schools passes new Parents’ Bill of Rights policies
After collecting a month’s worth of feedback from parents, teachers and community members, Board member Rob Elliot said the board did its best to mirror the community’s wishes in the policies while still following state law.
ACS commissions enrollment and capacity study to address urgent challenges
The Asheville City Board of Education voted 6-1 at its Nov. 20 meeting to commission an enrollment and capacity study from California-based Cooperative Strategies without seeking competing bids, and started a conversation about the need to consider consolidating some of its schools.
Whatever it takes: Expertise in genealogy is not required
“Our research materials are not limited to Buncombe County or Western North Carolina,” says Stella Taylor, the public relations chair at the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society. “Our collection covers the areas from which settlers came to our state and areas to which some families moved.”
Charter school puts a dent in Asheville’s racial achievement gap
This third-year Asheville public charter school, whose student body is majority Black, has begun to successfully close an achievement gap between white and Black students that has consistently been an issue in Asheville City Schools since it earned a worst-in-the-state designation in 2017.
BCS board delays updating policies related to Parents’ Bill of Rights
Representatives from the Asheville-based Campaign for Southern Equality asked board members to slow down approval of policies related to Senate Bill 49 during public comment. They believe the bill contradicts Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination in schools on the basis of gender.
Women in Business: Validation will come
“I work with toddlers, new parents and schools, so people are often too busy to shower you with compliments,” says Šara Stranovsky, director and owner of Bilingual Birdies Asheville. “Focus on the quality and mission of your work and validation will come.”
Women in Business: Challenge yourself
“I feel no matter what kind of person you are, the most important part is to have the desire to approach new opportunities in life and challenge yourself to keep working while constantly improving,” says Salomé Loomis, director of Spanish Academy of Asheville.
Asheville school board considers policy changes to comply with state Parents’ Bill of Rights
Representatives from the Asheville-based Coalition for Southern Equality, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, asked board members at their Oct. 9 meeting to hold off on changing policies related to the recently passed Parents’ Bill of Rights while legal experts analyze how districts should implement the law.
New report shows Buncombe schools outperformed state in most metrics last year
The report shows that Buncombe County Schools cohort graduation rate is nearly five points higher than the state average.
Asheville City Board of Education sets performance metrics for superintendent
The metric, drafted by Superintendent Maggie Fehrman, will focus on her progress in three categories: strategic plan development; strategic facilities planning; and leader accountability, transparency, governance and policy.
Buncombe Schools superintendent touts improving grades
For the first time since 2015, students at 20 Buncombe Schools exceeded growth expectations during the 2022-23 school year, eight more than last year.
Classically trained musicians carve out varied careers
Franklin Keel, Amanda Durst and Tori Parrish discuss their multifaceted professional lives.
Why some WNC home-schoolers participate in public school sports (and some don’t)
Haywood County home-schooler Celeste Riddle has a few reasons to be excited about her decision to take two classes at Pisgah High School this year. For one thing, she’s never attended a public school and is looking forward to experiencing a new learning environment. And she figures she will make some new friends. But mostly, […]
The search for UNCA’s next chancellor has begun
Faculty and students discuss the impact that frequent administrative shifts have on the campus and their expectations for the next chancellor.
New Asheville City Schools superintendent outlines priorities
Amidst meetings with principals, administrative staff, board members and various ACS stakeholders over her first month on the job, Fehrman developed a three-pronged promise to “help focus and bring people together” in the upcoming school year.
N.C. legislature prioritizes private education, Buncombe schools impacted
Private schools likely will become more affordable for families of any income next school year at the expense of public schools. The N.C. General Assembly is set to pass what amounts to a veto-proof bill removing the income cap for the private school voucher program. Buncombe County’s two public school districts could be out a […]
Buncombe Schools can’t redraw electoral lines as mandated
House Bill 66, which was passed into law June 7, requires Buncombe County Schools to redraw its electoral districts based on population rather than traditional attendance zones, as they’ve done since 1975.
“They have given us a task that is fundamentally impossible,” said Board member Amanda Simpkins.