Press release from Asheville City Schools
As Asheville City Schools continue to prioritize effective resource management and operational efficiency, we are relocating our Transportation Department to 441 Haywood Road. This decision aligns with our ongoing commitment to decrease operational costs while maintaining the high level of service our community expects and deserves.
The move to 441 Haywood Road was accompanied by a thoughtful process of repurposing the facility, which previously served as storage space following the closure of Asheville Primary. Part of this process involved meticulous organization and clean-up effort to meet the requirements for obtaining the transportation office’s Certificate of Occupancy issued by Buncombe County Permits and Inspections. Led by our Director of Maintenance, Tim Shelton, and our Preschool Director, Susanna Smith, and in collaboration with our pre-K teachers, we ensured a responsible transition that prioritizes safety and utility.
During this process, we acknowledged the presence of recyclable paper and other unusable products that, for reasons unclear, were not disposed of immediately after the school’s closure. This oversight has prompted us to reevaluate our procedures to ensure that all materials are managed efficiently and responsibly moving forward.
Our team diligently worked to assess the materials and resources within the building. Items that no longer met our safety standards or were beyond repair, such as damaged toys, chairs with mold, and unusable classroom supplies like dried-up glue, paint, and Play-Doh, were responsibly discarded. This careful selection process guarantees that only safe, functional, and necessary items remain within our educational spaces.
To comply with the requirements for the Certificate of Occupancy for the new Transportation Department office, all items designated for storage were relocated to the first floor of the building. This move not only ensures that all items in good condition are safely stored for future use but also facilitates an organized and efficient use of space.
Furthermore, valuable resources such as furniture in good condition and materials deemed useful for future use have been carefully organized on the first floor. Additionally, all books from the media center and Montessori materials are securely stored and are undergoing a review process with our Director of Social Emotional Learning and the Preschool Director to maximize their use and benefit to our students.
As we move forward, we are committed to working with our team to enhance our efficiency and ensure that Asheville City Schools continues to uphold its commitment to excellence in education and fiscal responsibility.
We appreciate the understanding and support of our Asheville City Schools community during this transition.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.