As of June 11, Buncombe County has $458.5 million in debt. Over half of that debt balance ― $270 million ― has paid for facilities for A-B Tech and the county’s two public school systems, the Asheville City and Buncombe County schools.
Tag: Buncombe County Schools
Showing 127-147 of 175 results
Public invited to comment on county budget, economic incentives for GE
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold two public hearings at its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 5.
Commissioners to consider smaller county budget
Tuesday, May 15 will mark the first opportunity for citizens to hear about Buncombe County’s proposed budget for FY 2019.
Parents criticize Asheville City Schools response to Parkland tragedy
Parents of students in Asheville City Schools pushed back against what they saw as a tepid response from district leaders after the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Fla., saying local administrators were slow to acknowledge families’ fears and provide concrete information. At a March 6 parent forum, some additional details about the district’s safety planning were made available.
School lunch goes local: WNC districts, farmers connect to freshen up cafeteria offerings
Despite tight budgets and bureaucratic hurdles, school nutrition directors are accessing more locally grown foods for area students.
County to consider bonds to pay for school projects
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider issuing bonds to finance $60 million in projects during its meeting on Feb. 20.
Buncombe County schools teach strategies, raise awareness about cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is an issue that comes up all too often. It can include any type of intimidation with electronics or internet use, from texting to posting on social media. Research shows that it has doubled among middle and high schoolers in the U.S. from 2007 to 2016 — from 18 to 34 percent. But research also shows that North Carolina has the second lowest rate of cyberbullying — 30 percent, higher only than Massachusetts at 23 percent. Since October is National Bullying Prevention Month, Asheville City Schools held a rally to create awareness of the issue.
City, county schools make progress on renovations, construction
As students go back to school, construction projects will continue on some campuses of both the city and county school systems. At historic Asheville High School, a $25 million renovation project is expected to continue through May 2020.
No vacation from hunger: Addressing summer food insecurity in WNC’s rural communities
Food access can be a huge challenge for families in WNC’s hard-to-reach rural areas — especially during summer break when children are not receiving school lunch assistance.
Updated map of Asheville City School district approved
The Asheville City Schools district follows a different boundary line than the city limits — and in some areas, the line is very different indeed. The Buncombe County Board of Education ratified an updated map of the city district on June 30. The map had previously been approved by the city school board on June 5.
Where the public sidewalk ends: reactions to Gideons handing out Bibles outside high school graduations
While many don’t seem to object to the Gideons’ handing out Bibles to graduating high school seniors outside the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville, others say the practice is incompatible with policies that strive to keep education and religion separate.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features a female duo’s traveling tribute to iconic songstresses before them; a parent’s efforts to end lunch debt shaming in local schools; and a team of Erwin High track athletes’ trip to compete at nationals.
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, […]
Burned out: Preserving Asheville’s teacher corps
When seasoned teachers leave the classroom, everybody suffers. Students lose out on the benefits of the educators’ experience, school systems struggle to find and train replacements and the larger community often mourns the departure of a valued contributor with established relationships. While Asheville and Buncombe County public schools have lower teacher turnover than in other parts of the state, retaining and attracting the best teachers is increasingly challenging.
The color of choice: Local charter schools offer options, with trade-offs
Amid the continuing debate over school choice and whether North Carolina should even allow charter schools, people on both sides of the issue seem to agree that Buncombe County’s five charters stand apart from their counterparts across the state. Asheville has about as long a history with charter schools as any Tar Heel city. Francine […]
The power of partnerships: Children First/CIS works with local agencies to find a family a home
“Bobby’s story highlights the spectrum of housing experiences that many families travel — homelessness, doubling up and public housing. This instability impacts families’ health, the ability to secure work and children’s academic success.”
20 recent overdose deaths sparks $750K commitment from Buncombe
No funding has officially been approved, but commissioners presented a united front in committing to a three-pronged approach to curbing opioid use. The effort will include community paramedics, residential treatment for new mothers and a media blitz focused on prevention.
Kids Issue 2017: Making the most of life
“Because the thing about connecting with other people is it inspires you; maybe gives you new views, beliefs, new ideas of what you want to do.”
Commissioners move to create new sustainability office, solar farm; A-B Tech spending freeze remains
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a variety of sustainability measures while continued talks about the current spending freeze on capital projects at A-B Tech was put on hold at the school’s request.
Universal preschool access could help next generation thrive
An diverse and influential group looks to incrementally implement universal preschool in Buncombe County. Xpress takes an in-depth look at the organization, logistics and potential costs behind the effort.
Commissioners ask staff to look at property tax breaks; talk teachers, infrastructure, more at retreat
Goals and priorities emerged when the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held its retreat on Friday, Feb. 17. Among priorities are continuing to increase teacher pay while looking at expanding access to preschool across the county.