Hello, BCS Staff and Families.
Here’s a look at the BCS Board Briefing for Nov. 6, 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:
· Lexi McGrath, Valley Springs Middle School- NC Legislature Featured Artist
· Kasey Gruen, Valley Springs Middle School- NCAEA Middle Level Arts Educator of the Year
· West Buncombe Elementary- National ESEA/Title I Distinguished School
· Megan Van Etten, W.D. Williams Elementary School- BCS Beginning Teacher of the Year
· Shannon Gobble and Ryan Luther, Enka High School- Outstanding Military Achievement
· Enka High School JROTC- Distinguished Unit Award
· NCHSAA Cross Country State Championship
- T.C. Roberson High School Men’s Team- 6A 3rd Place, Brooks Roslowski: 5th Place in NC
- A.C. Reynolds High School Women’s Team- 6A 4th Place, June Leis: 8th Place Individual
- A.C. Reynolds High School Men’s Team- 6A 1st Place, Alex Rawlings: 8th Place Individual, Gus Simmons: 4th Place Individual
- North Buncombe High School Men’s Team- 5A 3rd Place, Michael Ferguson: 1st Place Individual
- Craig Webb, Owen High School- 3A 1st Place Individual
Strategic Plan Highlights
· Getting Better at Getting Better: BCS School Improvement Teams Leading the Climb
Action Agenda
Consent Agenda
· Minutes: October 2, 2025 – Open Session Regular
· Personnel Report – November 6, 2025
· Advisory Council Members for Approval
· Advisory Council Members to Add
· Naming of Softball Field- North Buncombe High School
· Athletic Capital Outlay Request- Owen High School
· Athletic Capital Outlay Request- Enka Middle School
· W.D. Williams Additions & Renovations: Approve Change Order
· Community High School: Approve Duke Energy Utility Easement
· Policies for First Reading:
- 2302 Remote Participation on Board Meetings
- 2342 Voting Methods
- 3210 Parental Inspection of and Objection to Instructional Materials
- 3510 Religious-Based Exemptions from School Programs
- 3620 Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations
- 4023/7233 Pregnant and Parenting Students and Employees
- 4120 Domicile or Residence Requirements
- 4240/7312 Child Abuse and Related Threats to Child Safety
- 4400 Attendance
- 4400R Attendance
- 5024/6127/7266 Emergency Epinephrine Delivery Systems
- 6125 Administering Medicines to Students
- 6340 Transportation Service/Vehicle Contracts
- 7100 Recruitment and Selection of Personnel
- 7310/4040 Staff-Student Relations
- 7350/5070 Public Records-Retention, Release, and Disposition
- 7820 Personnel Files
Announcements/Future Meetings
· The next regular Board of Education Meeting is December 11, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the Minitorium. Work session updates and Closed Session begin at 4:00 p.m. in The Executive Conference Room at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC.
Superintendent's Comments
Good evening Parents, Members of the Community, Board Members, and Teammates,
Traditionally, November is the time in our calendar when we pause to acknowledge our blessings and express our gratitude. This year, that pause feels especially important. As we continue to recover and move forward, I remain deeply moved by the extraordinary support our community has shown and by the steadfast dedication of our Buncombe County Schools family.
Our teammates have embodied what it means to #LeadTheClimb—continuing the work with courage and grace, no matter how steep the path. To every teacher, bus driver, custodian, assistant, child nutrition worker, counselor, administrator, and support staff member: thank you. Thank you for showing up each day with heart and purpose, for loving our students, and for ensuring that learning continues even in the face of challenge.
Tonight, we have much to celebrate. Out of 115 school districts and more than 1,700 Title I schools across North Carolina, the Department of Public Instruction has again named a Buncombe County school among the Top 10 Distinguished Schools for closing the achievement gap between student groups.
In 2021–22, William W. Estes Elementary in the Roberson District earned this recognition. In 2022–23, it was Black Mountain Primary in the Owen District. And this year, West Buncombe Elementary from our Erwin District has been named the top school in the state in their category and will represent North Carolina at the national level. This incredible honor speaks to the unwavering commitment of our educators and the power of believing in every single child. I am incredibly excited that we are seeing state-leading success in closing the achievement gap across our school system from school to school and district to district in this extremely important work.
Also tonight, the Board will consider the budget for the current school year. The word that best describes this process is “unprecedented.” While that word has been overused since 2020, it remains accurate today. We find ourselves in the midst of a school year with no adopted state budget and no mini-budget to address staff pay. Costs continue to rise, yet our staff face a decrease in take-home pay with an upcoming health insurance increase.
Add to that the uncertainty of the federal government shutdown and the slow pace of FEMA reimbursements for storm-related damages, and it’s clear that these are challenging times. And yet, we continue forward—sustained by the strong fiscal stewardship of this Board and the wise decisions made in previous years.
We are deeply grateful to our Buncombe County Commissioners, who continue to prioritize our schools despite their own storm-related challenges. Their partnership allows us to maintain important commitments—like providing free breakfast and lunch to every student—and to keep our schools places of safety, nourishment, and belonging for all children.
This month also marks my anniversary as your superintendent. As I continue forward in my fourth school year serving alongside this Board, I remain profoundly grateful for the trust you have placed in me and for the privilege of serving this extraordinary community.
Together, we remain committed to supporting each and every student in our care. We will continue to teach, lead, and serve—knowing that no matter how steep the climb, we will rise together and #LeadTheClimb.
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. Chairman, this concludes my comments.