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, […]
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.
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 […]
“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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
Childhood obesity is a perfect storm of many factors, say local health experts, pointing to poor eating habits, lack of exercise, genetics and environmental factors. Asheville-area agencies are working to help overweight kids lose weight and others to stay within healthy limits.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $44 million in funding for Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools. The board also approved a rebate for Waste Pro, the property tax schedule and more…
As more women work toward leadership roles in the local workforce, female business leaders and local organizations are working to provide the encouragement and resources necessary to help them attain equity and advancement in the workplace. Sharing their wealth of experiences, these community leaders are hoping they can lay the groundwork for the next generation of successful women professionals.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners wrapped up the budget season during its Tuesday, June 21, meeting by approving a $413,574,951 spending plan for fiscal year 2017. During a more than five hour meeting Commissioner Tim Moffitt proposed an alternate budget, that would lower the property tax rate, but it was shoot down, via party lines, in favor of the approved budget.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is approaching the homestretch for finalizing a budget for Fiscal Year 2017. During its meeting on Tuesday, May 31, the board heard concerns about attracting and retaining teachers amid budget requests from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools.
Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene is recommending a total budget of just over $407 million that would hold the property tax rate at 60.4 cents per $100 of valued property. However, property revaluations will take place this year with new values expected to sent out mid-January 2017.
Elementary school kids in Asheville and Buncombe County will have the opportunity to get their hands dirty and learn some basic gardening skills during the fifth annual Container Garden contest, sponsored by the Men’s Garden Club of Asheville. More than 30 classes participated last year, according to contest organizer Ed Heidel, and the group is […]
At the Tuesday, Feb. 2 Buncombe County Commissioners meeting — a meeting that lasted just under an hour, the Board heard from both Buncombe County and Asheville City schools on the needs of their facilities.
At the Tuesday, Feb. 2 Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting, the Board will consider an economic development incentive for Hi-Wire Brewing — an item that was dropped from the January agenda, facility needs surveys for both Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools, and a zoning request east of Black Mountain.
Prior to the Tuesday, Jan. 19 Buncombe County Commissioners’ retreat, staff in various departments sat down and took a good look at the county’s priorities, coming up with ideas and alternatives of how to accomplish these goals in 2016 (and beyond).
Transitioning to a new language, country and culture can be extremely disruptive — particularly for children. To address the growing numbers of students from non-English-speaking households, the Asheville and Buncombe County schools are developing a curriculum that gives students from all backgrounds a chance to explore what makes each tradition unique, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and preparing students to be productive members of today’s increasingly global society.
“Our teachers should make enough money to afford a decent place to live on their own and shouldn’t be charity cases reliant upon nonprofits to make ends meet. “
