Enka High student on tractor

Enka barn raises questions about Buncombe special interest funding

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Oct. 6 to award $15,000 toward the construction of an agricultural education facility at Enka High School. But as Chair Brownie Newman noted, recommendations to support such projects are normally made by Buncombe’s School Capital Fund Commission or Board of Education and funded through the regular budget cycle.

Schools may be key to property tax relief

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a nearly five-hour budget workshop May 16, a forum dedicated to presentations and requests from county departments. However, talks also showed a possible path toward nudging closer to a revenue-neutral property tax rate. A taxing issue County Manager Wanda Greene’s proposed budget for next fiscal year is $419,289,728, […]

Amy Churchill

Amy Churchill (I),  personally registered as a Republican. Endorsements: Buncombe County Association of Educators; Asheville Citizen-Times; Blue Ridge Republican Women’s Club. Why I’m running: It has been a privilege to serve on the Board of Education as both an advocate for our schools and an agent for change. I have worked to improve the learning […]

Laura Bowen

Laura Bowen, personally registered as a Republican. Endorsements: Buncombe County Republican Women’s Club; my six adult children; Blue Ridge Republican Women’s Club. Why I’m running: My mom, who was a teacher, died the weekend of July 1 and when I was substitute teaching I used to call her and tell her about the students I […]

Margaret (Peggy) Buchanan

Margaret (Peggy) Buchanan, personally registered as a Democrat. Endorsements: Buncombe County Association of Educators; Asheville Citizen-Times; Chip Craig, currently on school board from Owen District; Buncombe County Democratic Party. Why I’m running: I am running for school board because we have great teachers and school administration who are doing phenomenal things with dwindling resources. Recognizing […]

North Buncombe District, Buncombe County Board of Education

Ann Franklin, the current chairwoman of the Buncombe County Board of Education, is running unopposed. She did not respond to Xpress’ invitation to participate in this voter guide. The Buncombe County Board of Education is a seven member body that meets monthly to support and provide oversight to Buncombe County Schools. There are six districts […]