Here’s a look at the BCS Board Briefing for the October 5, 2023, Regular Board of Education Meeting.
Photos from the Meeting are linked HERE.
The Full Video from the meeting is linked HERE with individual recognitions linked below.
For our Good News segment, we recognized recent Career and Technical Education (CTE) Accomplishments, including participation at state, national, and international competitions:
FCCLA – Reynolds High School, Owen High School, Erwin High School, North Buncombe Middle & Roberson High School
DECA – North Buncombe High School & Reynolds High School
FFA – Owen High School, Enka High School, North Buncombe High School & Reynolds High School
National FFA - American FFA Degree Recipients – North Buncombe High School Graduates
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching (PAEMST) Finalist – Leigha Jordan, Valley Springs Middle School
2024 BCS Principal of the Year – Chip Cody, C.A. Erwin High School (Facebook Announcement)
CURRICULUM FEATURE
2022-2023 School Performance Data and Accountability Measures – Steve Earwood, Director of Testing and Accountability
PRESENTATION
Suicide Prevention Efforts in Buncombe County Schools
PUBLIC COMMENT
ACTION AGENDA
Approval of Administrators at Schools Designated as Low Performing
Request for Buncombe County to Facilitate the Consolidation Study Required by the State
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes: September 7, 2023 – Regular Meeting Open Session
Advisory Council Members for Approval
Advisory Council Members: Request to Add
POLICIES FOR SECOND READING
Policy 3225/4312/7320 Technology Responsible Use
Policy 3228/7323 Use of Personal Technology to Conduct School Business
Policy 4130 Discretionary Admission Release Policy
Policy 4155 Assignment to Classes
Policy 6330 Insurance for Student Transportation Services
Policy 6402 Participation by Historically Underutilized Businesses
INFORMATION AGENDA
POLICIES FOR FIRST READING
Policy 3210 Parental Inspection of and Objection to Instructional Materials
Policy 4335 Criminal Behavior
Policy 4720 Surveys of Students
Policy 6120 Student Health Services
Policy 6220 Operation of Student Nutrition Services
Policy 7300 Staff Responsibilities
Policy 7650 Employee Travel and Other Expense Reimbursement
Good evening Parents, Members of the Community, Board Members, and Teammates,
Today is Day 26 of the 2023-2024 school year. It is hard to believe that we have completed 15% of our school year. Having spent time in every one of our 45 schools, I can share with you that our 22,101 students from Pisgah to Black Mountain, from Leicester to Fairview, from Barnardsville to Arden, from Avery's Creek to Haw Creek and all points in between are in the midst of an incredible start to the school year. I am so very proud of our teachers, staff, and administrators who give so deeply of themselves for our students. We are blessed that they choose each day to show up for our students and families.
The work of educators is constantly changing as new state statutes are introduced, new requirements are added, and still our teachers and staff are creating amazing learning environments for our students. I would challenge each of us to go out of our way to thank our educators for sustaining in the work and for continuing to choose to be educators even as the complexity of the work increases.
One small way we show our gratitude is through salaries and benefits for our staff. I would like to thank our County Commissioners for continuing to invest in our teachers and staff. Through their decision this week and increased investment in the school system this year, in addition to state salary increases, we are able to increase the local supplement for certified staff by 2% and fully fund the classified salary study this year. While we will continue to advocate for continuing to grow our salary and benefits for our teachers and staff, it is important that we share our appreciation for the work of the commissioners
This month we celebrate National Principals Month, our opportunity to join with district leaders, elected officials, parents, students, teachers, staff, school leaders, and communities to celebrate and honor the principals' visionary leadership and tireless pursuit of success for each student. We have 45 amazing principals who are extremely dedicated to servant-leadership.
We have also just celebrated National Custodian Appreciation Day! We are so thankful for the men and women who work so hard to ensure that our classrooms are clean, warm, and inviting. You can truly see the pride they have in their work in the shine on the school floors across Buncombe County.
I would like to congratulate the BCS Education Foundation for recently receiving a $10,000 grant from the Chamber of Commerce to implement the BCS TEACH: A Recruitment Plan and Retention Plan for Buncombe County Schools program. The Foundation also had an outstanding Golf Tournament this week, again raising funds to support the programs, grants, and scholarships of the foundation. I certainly want to thank all who have so generously supported the Foundation as the Foundation does so much to support our students and teachers.
I would like to give a shout-out to each of our High School bands. Dr. Reed and I had the opportunity to see them perform this past weekend. Their hard work and dedication absolutely shows and resulted in each of them leaving the Land of the Sky Marching Band Festival with some impressive hardware.
It remains an honor to serve our students. Tonight, we are going to hear about their impressive academic performance, and we will hear about our opportunities to continue to improve. We are dedicated to our goal of every single student reaching their potential and being prepared for their pathway beyond high school. Again, I am incredibly proud of the commitment of our teachers and staff to each of our students.
To our team and to our Board Members, Thank you for all that you do for the students, families, teachers, and staff of Buncombe County Schools.
Madam Chair, this concludes my comments.