Asheville City Schools begin new year with interim leadership

Interim Asheville City Schools Superintendent Bobbie Short is taking over — for the third time in six years — as the district struggles with extreme disparities in the academic performance of its white and black students, which are the largest of any district in the state. The district is once again searching for a permanent leader. In the best-case scenario, a new superintendent will start work in January.

As focus on e-books and downloadab­le material grows, library asks for input

Books aren’t dead, according to Buncombe County Public Library Director Ed Sheary, but he admits that libraries cannot ignore the growing popularity of e-books and digital audiobooks. As part of a federal grant, the library is seeking public input about the North Carolina Digital Library, the virtual place where patrons can check out downloadable materials. The survey closes July 7. (Photo courtesy of Pack Memorial Library)