WNC colleges return $2 billion to economy, most staying in region

Local area colleges are touting just how much they pump back into the economy: $2 billion in the 2012-2013 fiscal year through the combined impact of payroll, operational, construction and research expenditures by the universities and community colleges, and the spending habits of their students, visitors, and alumni. The data comes from a new comprehensive […]

What’s our grade? School leaders anticipate release of state grades

The 1.5 million children enrolled in North Carolina’s public schools this year will not be the only ones receiving grades soon. State officials plan to release a performance-based, letter-graded report card for each school, starting Feb. 5, and for some education leaders in the Asheville area, anticipation is high. Chip Craig, vice chairman of the […]

Commission­er candidates split over teacher pay

“It is the responsibility of the Legislature to fund teacher pay,” District 2 incumbent Democrat Ellen Frost declared at the July 30 Council of Independent Business Owners candidate forum. But though most school funding comes from the state, the county does provide a supplement each year, usually about 20 percent of total school funding. In […]