Hello, BCS Staff and Families.
Here’s a look at the BCS Board Briefing for February 13, 2025. The full broadcast is on YouTube, and photos are posted in this Google Drive folder.
In our Good News segment, we recognized and celebrated:
· Pro Patria Award – Candler Elementary
· MATHCOUNTS Top Achievers – Reynolds Middle, Erwin Middle, and North Buncombe Middle
· Presidential Award for Excellent in Mathematics and Science Teaching – Leigha Jordan, Valley Springs Middle
· BCS Teacher of the Year District Finalists – Zane Weekman, At-Large District; Darryl Fox, North Buncombe District; Jacob Nester, Owen District; Mary Brantley Wommack, Reynolds District; Calondra McCarter, Roberson District; Carol Petusky, Enka District; Tori King, Erwin District
Strategic Plan Highlights
· Career and Technical Education in BCS
Action Agenda
· Enka High School: Accept Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and Authorize Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) to Proceed
· Johnston Elementary School: Accept Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and Authorize Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) to Proceed
· North Windy Ridge Intermediate School: Accept Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and Authorize Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) to Proceed
· Appointment to the School Capital Fund Committee
· Policies to be Rescinded
- Policy 1725/4035/7236 Interim Title IX Prohibited Conduct and Reporting Process
- Policy 1726/4036/7237 Interim Title IX Grievance Process
· Previous Policies to be Reinstated (waive first reading)
-Policy 1725/4035/7236 Title IX Prohibited Conduct and Reporting Process
-Policy 1726/4036/7237 Title IX Grievance Process
· District Media and Technology Advisory Committee (MTAC) Recommendation: Epic! Creations Inc.
· Discussion of School Consolidation Report
Consent Agenda
· Minutes: January 9, 2025 – Open Session Regular Meeting
· Minutes: January 16, 2025 – Joint Meeting
· Minutes: February 3, 2025 – Special Called Work Session
· Personnel Report – February 13, 2025
· 2024-2025 Budget Amendment #3
· 2024-2025 Summer Program Plan
· Owen High School: Request to Use Capital Athletic Capital Outlay Funds
· North Buncombe High School: Request to Use Capital Athletic Outlay Funds
· Advisory Council Members for Approval
Policy for Ratification
· Policy 4120-R Admission of Foreign Exchange Students
Information Agenda
· Finance Reports
Policies for First Reading
· Policy 3420 Student Promotion and Accountability
· Policy 3460 Graduation Requirements
Announcements/Future Meetings
· The Board of Education will hold a Special Called Budget Work Session on February 25, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in the Yeager Room at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC 28806.
· The Board of Education will hold a Special Called Budget Work Session on March 6, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. in the Yeager Room at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC 28806.
· The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is March 6, 2025. 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 Board Members, Teammates, Parents and Members of the Community,
Tomorrow, across our country, many will pause to celebrate “love.” This year Buncombe County Schools has and continues to receive great love from so many. We celebrate and are so grateful for all of those who have shared their hearts and hands to take care of our students, families, and schools. As we celebrate tomorrow, we thank all of those who continue to realize that there remain great needs in our communities and who continue to help share great love and kindness across Western North Carolina.
Since last we met, we had the opportunity to celebrate our reason for being as 248 graduates from our 11 high schools crossed the stage, having earned their high school diplomas! This was the largest cohort of mid-year graduates in school system history. Included in that number are the very first two graduates from our newest high school, the Buncombe County Center for Career Innovation. I am so proud and appreciative of all of our teachers, administrators, and staff members who poured into the lives of these students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Regardless of the pathway they are on, we are cheering for them as they go out to make a tremendous difference in this world!
As Chairman Elliot noted, last week we celebrated National School Counseling Week by pausing to acknowledge and celebrate the amazing School Counselors across our school system. Our School Counselors actively engage in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; they work in partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; they focus on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and work with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential. Our School Counselors are an integral part of the total BCS educational program.
This week we are honoring our bus drivers. Each day in our school system, 203 buses safely transport over 13,000 students almost 16,000 miles each day to school and back home again. They transport students on Field Trips and to athletic contests. This does not occur without our dedicated bus drivers, mechanics, and transportation staff. Our Bus Drivers are committed to safe, reliable, and efficient transportation for every student, every mile, every day.
The Buncombe County Schools Foundation is excited to announce that it is Scholarship Season! The Foundation provides over $300,000 in scholarships each year. Information on all scholarships can be found on the Buncombe County Schools Foundation Website. If you know a senior in our school system, please encourage them to apply.
Last night some of our finest Middle School and High School student-musicians came together from across the county for the 2025 All-County Orchestra Concert. The music they created was magical. As I shared at the concert, music is a gift. It evokes feelings of peace and beauty. This was the gift our incredible students gave the community last night in a time when it is so sorely needed. We are very grateful for our Strings teachers and all of our Arts teachers across Buncombe County Schools who help our students refine their talents and bring beauty to the world.
I am excited to share that next week we will have the opportunity to enjoy the talents of more of our incredible student-musicians as our Elementary, Intermediate, and Middle School All-County Choruses will perform on February 18th, at 6pm in Brookstone Church in Weaverville. Please make plans to join us as students from across the county come together in song.
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.
Mr. Chair, this concludes my comments.