Buncombe County Schools -

Hello, BCS Staff and Families.

Here’s a look at the BCS Board Briefing for June 6, 2024. The full broadcast is on YouTube, and photos are posted in this Google Drive folder.

In our Good News segment, we recognized:

· State Track & Field Champions: State 2A Champion/Men’s 300 Meter Hurdles – Trevae Woodyard, Owen High School; State 3A Champion/Shot Put – Graham Cannon, Enka High School; State 3A Champions/Women’s 4 x 400, 4 x 800 – Bailey Barrett, Eden Barnwell, Sophia Banks, Maya Flynn, and Katie Johnson, North Buncombe High School
· NC Bandmasters Association Western Region Award of Excellence – Jenny Lanier, Roberson High School
· NC Chapter of the American School Band Directors, 2023 Ed Rooker Encore Award – Christopher Lavignette, Erwin Middle School
· WCU Courageous Leadership Award – Lakeisha Lee, Oakley Elementary Administrative Intern
· State Math Competition Finalist – Tenzin Hartshorn, Owen Middle School
· BCS Media Coordinator of the Year – Leigh Armistead, Reynolds High School

Curriculum Feature

· BCS Teacher of the Year Announcement

· Approval of Summer School Contracts

· W.W. Estes PEP Additions & Renovations – Accept Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and Authorize Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) to Proceed

· T.C. Roberson High School Re-Roofing Project – Approval of Change Order

· Article 39 Project Funding Request: Erwin Middle School ADA Project

· Multi-District Level Lawsuit Against Social Media Companies

· Consideration of Letters of Interest to Fill the At-Large District Representative Seat: The Buncombe County Schools Board of Education appointed Dr. Glenda Weinert to fill the vacancy for At-Large Representative.

· Multi-District Level Lawsuit Against Social Media Companies

· Policy 2115 – Unexpired Term Fulfillment

Consent Agenda

· Minutes: April 26, 2024 Special Called Work Session

· Minutes: May 2, 2024 Regular Meeting Open Session

· Minutes: May 15, 2024 Special Called Meeting

· Minutes: May 28, 2024 Special Called Meeting

· Personnel Report

· 2023-2024 Budget Amendment #6

· 2024-2025 CTE Local Plan Approval

· Buncombe County Schools District Mental Health Plan for 2024-2025

· Student Parking Fees

· Mandatory Catastrophic Athletic Insurance for 2024-2025

· Mandatory Student Athletic Insurance for 2024-2025

· Renewal Driver Education Contract with Mountain Professionals, Inc. for 2024-2025 School Year

· Erwin High School: Athletic Capital Outlay Request

· Roberson High School: Athletic Capital Outlay Request

· Federal Programs Sole Source Procurement Requests: Curriculum Associates, DreamBox Learning, Flyleaf Publishing, Great Minds, IXL Learning, Just Right Reader, and Wilson Language Training

· Black Mountain Primary – Approve Stormwater Management O & M 

Policies for First Reading

· Policy 1760/7280 Prohibition Against Retaliation

· Policy 3620 Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations

· Policy 4023 Education for Pregnant and Parent Students

· Policy 4040/7310 Staff-Student Relations

· Policy 4140 Foreign Exchange Students

· Policy 7130 Licensure

· Policy 8340 Insurance

· Policy 8510 School Finance Officer 

Information Agenda

· Finance Reports

Announcements/Future Meetings

· There will be a Special Called Board of Education Meeting on June 27, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. in the Minitorium at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC 28806.
· The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is August 1, 2024. Work session updates and Closed Session beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Executive Conference Room, and the Open Session beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Minitorium at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC  28806.

Superintendent's Comments

Good evening Parents, Members of the Community, Board Members, and Teammates,

It is hard to believe that another school year is rapidly drawing to a close. As we approach the last day and a half with students, we do so feeling grateful for having had the opportunity to serve families and our community.

We have just learned that Buncombe County Schools has been identified by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as an Academically - Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Promising District! This award will be presented to the school system during the September Board of Education Meeting. This is another indicator of the incredibly positive momentum in all areas of our work! I am very proud of our efforts across our 45 schools to support and challenge our AIG students. I am also very proud of AIG Specialist Stephanie Knox for her leadership.

The award letter states, “Your district exemplifies an unwavering commitment to students and staff as well as innovation. The letter goes on to state, “Buncombe County Schools is leading the way in our state and showcasing the profound impact that dedication to academic excellence can have on student success.”

Let me read that again:

“Buncombe County Schools is leading the way in our state and showcasing the profound impact that dedication to academic excellence can have on student success.”

I know that the success our students are experiencing academically, artistically, and athletically is due to the strong support we enjoy from parents and families and to the amazing and dedicated educators throughout our school system.

Last Friday night, we had the opportunity to attend and celebrate Graduation Ceremonies for our Progressive Education Program, the Buncombe County Schools Early College, and the Buncombe County Middle College. Next week we will attend Graduation Ceremonies at our nine other high schools. As we do, we gather together with parents, family members, loved ones, teachers, administrators and staff members to celebrate the preeminent accomplishment of our students' academic careers. Each of our eleven high schools gather as learning communities to commemorate an incredible milestone in a young person’s life, graduation. We celebrate our students on this incredible achievement. Through their hard work and through the support of their families, they have earned their high school diploma.

I also want to acknowledge and recognize each of the educators who have supported and encouraged, who have challenged and pushed, who have loved and cared for our graduates for the last thirteen years of their lives. From the Instructional Assistants, to the bus drivers, to the child nutritionists, to the custodians, to the office support personnel, to the teachers, to the school counselors, to the school social workers, to the student support teams, to the instructional support teams, to the administrators, and to all who are such important members of the Buncombe County Schools team, thank you. With each name that is called, with each handshake, I celebrate you. Thank you for choosing to give so deeply of yourselves to our children who are so worthy of our very best efforts.

To our graduates, as you prepare for the grand adventure that waits for you on the other side of that handshake, step forward knowing that you are well-prepared for the challenges that will pop up. You go with an incredible network of supporters. Your teachers will always be your teachers. Decades from now, when you see the wonderful person who served you lunch in elementary school, their face will light up with a huge smile and you will hear them say, “I am so proud of you.” We are proud of the Class of 2024. With you go our hopes and dreams and the life’s work of countless educators. 

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 and thank you for making this our finest school year ever.

Madam Chair, this concludes my comments.