“Our data tells us that we are doing a disservice to our black students, and you can’t say it any plainer than that,” said Shaunda Sandford, chair of the Asheville City Board of Education.
News in brief: 2019 living wage, Henderson County school history program
Local nonprofit Just Economics increased its living wage rates for 2019. For those employees not offered employer-sponsored health insurance benefits, the new hourly rate is $13.65; for those offered health insurance, the new hourly rate is $12.15.
Submit student art, writing for 2019 Kids Issues
What would you do if you had superpowers for a day? Xpress wants to know! Submit student art, essays and poems by Feb. 8 to be considered for the 2019 Kids Issues.
UPDATED: Xpress seeks art, writing for 2019 Kids Issues
Each year, Xpress publishes the thoughtful, vibrant and engaging creative work of Western North Carolina K-12 students, along with listings of local and regional summer camps. The 2019 theme is “24-hour Superpowers” and the submission deadline is Friday, Feb. 8.
Go Local continues to raise funds for education
For every Go Local Card purchased, half of the $18 price goes directly to Asheville City Schools. In 2018, this amounted to $26,000.
County approves massive investment in early ed despite fiscal concerns
Over the protests of Republicans, who felt the allotment was too large and would put a burden on taxpayers, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a multimillion dollar investment in early childhood education on Oct. 30.
Annual conference will spotlight regional African-American history
The African Americans in Western North Carolina and Southern Appalachia Conference will take place Oct. 18-20 in Asheville. The theme this year is “Making the invisible visible.”
Candidates for Buncombe County Board of Education, 2018 general election voter guide
Editor’s note: All of the candidates for Buncombe County Board of Education are running in different districts and are unopposed. They are not running against one another. For the sake of concise organization Xpress is listing them together. All voters in Buncombe County School Districts will see all the candidates on their ballots. Pat Bryant […]
News in brief: Legislative wrap-up, teachers honored
In this week’s news in brief, read about the Sunday, Sept. 30, event that promises to help you get more engaged in shaping city government. Learn which Buncombe County teachers won top honors, and check out the initial results of Warren Wilson College’s initiative to offer all eligible incoming North Carolina students four years of tuition-free education.
Historian Christopher Arris Oakley discusses his latest book on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
On Tuesday, Sept. 25, historian and author Christopher Arris Oakley will discuss his latest book, New South Indians: Tribal Economics and the Eastern Band of Cherokee in the Twentieth Century at UNCA.
ReCONNECT to Community brings Institute for Emerging Issues forum to Asheville; event postponed
The Asheville forum kicks off the IEI’s broader ReCONNECT NC initiative. Over the next three years, a series of six forums in four different cities will focus on the overarching theme of reconnection. Maggie Woods, policy and program manager at IEI, says people across the state are feeling out-of-touch and that this sense of detachment needs to be addressed at length.
Local schools prepare for a future built on code
Thanks to a second round of state grant funding announced in early August, area students will have access to an expanded series of coding programs and courses at the high school and middle school levels. Local employers and economic development boosters say tech skills are vital to securing good jobs now and in the future.
Local teachers keep tabs on November elections
Shortly before greeting students for the start of the 2018-19 school year, a small group of local educators rallied at the Buncombe County Courthouse on Aug. 24, pressing for more investment in public education. The Asheville demonstration was one of six held across the state.
County to set groundwork for $30 million in bonds at Aug. 7 meeting
The resolution sets the stage for the county to reimburse itself through bonds should it initially finance planned construction projects with operating funds. According to Internal Revenue Service regulations, wrote Interim County Manager George Wood, a bond resolution must precede spending money on projects that might later be refinanced using bonds.
Candidates file for judicial and nonpartisan seats
Buncombe County’s judiciary is set to remain unchanged with none of the incumbent judges facing opposition in the polls. So far the board of education races are shaping up similarly but there is still time for others to file and the Soil and Water board could see changes with five candidates vying for two seats.
Conscious Party: Resist!
The benefit concert for the Puerto Rico Teachers Federation takes place July 7 at Salvage Station.
Conscious Party: Under the Stars
Asheville Museum of Science’s annual flagship fundraiser takes place June 14 at Highland Brewing Co.
UNC Asheville students and faculty seek out Cherokee history
In late February Trey Adcock was one of seven national recipients of the White Public Engagement Fellowship. The UNCA assistant-professor will use the $50,000 grant to uncover the story of the Snowbird Day School.
Conscious Party: Power of the Purse
The luncheon and talk by journalist Maria Hinojosa takes place May 22 at Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville and benefits the CFWNC’s Women’s Fund.
Conscious Party: Muddy Sneakers’ 10th anniversary
The education nonprofit’s anniversary party takes place May 11 at the Brevard Lumber Yard.
In Photos: Claxton Elementary celebrates 3rd annual Bee Day
On April 24, the media center at Claxton Elementary School on Merrimon Avenue swarmed with students celebrating the school’s third annual Bee Day.