Hello, BCS Staff and Families.
Here’s a look at the BCS Board Briefing for January 9, 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:
· EC Educator Awards – Beth Eckstein, Black Mountain Primary & Elementary; Kathleen Kitt, North Windy Ridge Intermediate; Jennifer Vann, Barnardsville Elementary
· Excellence in Student Journalism Awards – North Buncombe High School
· Principal of the Year – Nathan Allison, T.C. Roberson High School
Strategic Plan Highlights
· School Improvement Planning in BCS – Dr. Jennifer Reed, Associate Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction
Action Agenda
· Approval of BCS Academic Calendar for 2025-2026
· Approval of Early College/Buncombe Center for Career Innovation Academic Calendar for 2025-2026
· Approval of School Improvement Plans for Schools Designated as Low Performing 2024-2025
· AB Technical Community College Lease Agreement Addendum
· Facilities and Maintenance Department Hurricane Helene Response Noncompetitive Procurement Requests: First Onsite – all locations, J. Bartholomew - roofing at Aquatic Center, TC Roberson High School, and North Buncombe High School
Consent Agenda
· Minutes: December 5, 2024 – Open Session Regular Meeting
· Personnel Report – January 9, 2025
· 2024-2025 Budget Amendment #2
· Facsimile Signature Stamp for Board Chair
· School Nutrition Procurement Plan Approval
· Sole Source Procurement Request – Character Strong
· North Buncombe High School – Athletic Capital Outlay Request
Information Agenda
· Finance Reports
Announcements/Future Meetings
· The Buncombe County Board of Education will meet in a joint special called meeting with the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and the Asheville City School Board on January 16, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 200 College Street, First Floor Conference Room, Asheville, NC 28801.
· The Board of Education will participate in NCSBA Core Training on January 29 & 30 at WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct #206, Asheville, NC 28806
· The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is February 13, 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 Parents, Members of the Community, Board Members, and Teammates,
Welcome to 2025! With the arrival of a new calendar year and the anticipation of the start of a new semester, I continue to feel great pride and marvel at the incredible dedication, kindness, and resiliency that we are seeing and feeling across our school system and across Buncombe County.
I would like to personally thank all of the organizations and individuals from across the country who were so generous to our students and families during the holidays. Though they are too numerous to name here, many hearts and lives were touched and enriched by the love and care we have witnessed. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of support we have seen. In this moment, for all of those near and far, who have done so much for our students, neighbors, and community, thank you.
Certainly there remain numerous challenges and tasks to be accomplished, but the absolute focus on supporting our students and staff that I witness daily in our classrooms, in this building, and on this Board make me confident that we will continue to rise together to meet those challenges..
Speaking of challenges, I am pleased to share that 42 of our 45 schools now have potable water. We anticipate that we will be at 100% by the end of this month. Prior to restoring potable water use in a school, water is tested in the building. Those test results are posted on the school system website.
Today is National Law Enforcement Day. I would like to share my appreciation for our School Resource Officers, for Sheriff Miller and the Sheriffs Department, and for all of our law enforcement partners. Their presence on our school campuses and in our community is reassuring and I am so grateful for each of them.
This evening, I would like to take just a moment to acknowledge the passing of a Buncombe County Schools legend, Mr. Tommy Koontz. Mr. Koontz served as the Principal of TC Roberson High School. Well past his retirement though, into his nineties, it was clear that he absolutely loved TC Roberson High School, Buncombe County Schools, and all of this community. Current TC Roberson High School Principal Mr. Allison shared that everything Mr. Koontz did and said was in support of the school. He poured his heart into our schools. Up until recently, he would be seen supporting the Rams at athletic events, the musicals and plays, and art performances. He would come by and visit the staff and students at the schools in our district, not just the high school. He would often bring in treats for the staff, such as boxes of apples. Mr. Koontz’ legacy lives on in the hearts and memories of the students, staff, and community he loved and in the school that bears his name, Charles T. Koontz Intermediate School. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family and friends and with all those who may have lost someone dear to them
This is School Board Appreciation month. I want to personally thank each of our Board Members for their service and dedication. Thank you for your leadership and for modeling what it is to put students first in all we do.
We remain committed to loving and supporting each and every single student in our school system. We face the challenges before us. We know that students, families, and the community have never needed a strong, loving, and caring school system as much as they do now. We accept this challenge. We commit to each and every one of our students. We will rise together to new and majestic heights and we will give our all because our students are worthy of our very best efforts.
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.