Hello, BCS Staff and Families.
Here’s a look at the BCS Board Briefing for Dec. 11, 2025. The full broadcast is on YouTube, and photos are posted in this Google Drive folder.
Thanks to members of the Enka High School strings ensemble for playing holiday music before the meeting. The meeting started with the election of Board Chair Rob Elliot and Board Vice Chair Kim Plemmons. Enka High School's chorus students performed three festive songs for the board and audience.
In our Good News segment, we recognized and celebrated:
· Ross Franklin and Elaina DeWeese- Enka High School: WNCStrong Participants
· Addison Sprinkle, Hunter Crowder, Hayden Jameson, Aidan Flynn, and Jake Hale- North Buncombe High School: WNCStrong Participants
· Emmaline Stach, Mylee Ponder, Quinn Ball, and Addison Sprinkle- North Buncombe High School: National FFA Livestock Evaluation Outstanding Achievement
· Sara Stone- North Buncombe High School: American FFA Degree recipient
· Kathi Gragg- Progressive Education Program: Educator of Excellence Award
· Caleb Harbin- Enka High School: Buncombe County Schools Assistant Principal of the Year
· Buncombe County Schools Facilities and Maintenance Team: Duke Energy Business Efficiency Award
Action Agenda
· 2025-2026 School Improvement Plans for Approval
Discussion
· Local Funding Formula Proposal- Tina Thorpe/Dean Shatley
Consent Agenda
· Minutes: November 6, 2025- Open Session Regular
· Minutes: November 18, 2025- Special Called Work Session
· Personnel Report – December 11, 2025
· 2025-2026 Budget Amendment #1
· Athletic Capital Outlay Request- Erwin High School
· Sole Source Procurement Request- Character Strong
Information Agenda
· Notification of Contracts for Construction and Repair Projects
· POLICIES FOR FIRST READING
1740/4010 Student or Parent Grievance Procedure
2125/7315 Confidential Information
3220 Technology in the Education Program
3225/4312/7320 Technology Responsible Use
3226/4025 Internet Safety
3227/7322 Web Page Development
3400 Evaluation of Student Progress
3460 Graduation Requirements
4130 Discretionary Admission Release Policy
4270/6145 Concussion and Head Injury
5150/7313 Reporting to External Agencies
6310 Organization of Student Transportation Services
6450 Purchase of Services
7220/1570 Grievance Procedure for Employees
7910 Retirement
Announcements/Future Meetings
· The next regular Board of Education Meeting is January 15, 2026 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,
As we approach the holiday season, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible resilience, compassion, work ethic, and teamwork demonstrated by every member of our school community during the first half of this school year.
The Jets of the Enka High School Chorus and Orchestra are absolutely amazing! In sharing their gift of music tonight, they have powerfully demonstrated the greatest highlights of the month of December which are the multiple opportunities available to each of us to experience our students’ musical and dramatic talents through band, orchestra,and chorus winter concerts and through the winter musicals in schools across the school system. I am very grateful for all of our Arts instructors for all that they do to help our students discover and hone their talents. Details for all of the performances are located on the Arts Calendar on the school system website. I would encourage you to invite your friends and neighbors to join you in attending one or more winter concerts in our schools. I promise it will be incredible.
Beyond the Good News we will share and tonight’s Music we heard, I am excited about the items on tonight’s agenda. As I reflect on the school improvement plans and proposed school system calendar, I note how many parents, staff members, and community members have been involved in the creation and planning of these items. I am thankful to this Board’s commitment to hearing from all stakeholders and incorporating the many compliments, comments, concerns, and questions that we receive into our commitment to continuous improvement.
Thank you to all who help guide our schools through participation on School Improvement Teams, Parent Advisory Councils, the Teacher Advisory Council, the Exceptional Children Advisory Council, the Student Advisory Council, the system Calendar Committee, and on and on.
For our parents and community, if you are interested in learning how you can lend your voice, be involved, and support students, I would encourage you to reach out to your school’s principal about the possibility of volunteering in the schools or in this season of giving, to the Buncombe County Schools Foundation to learn more about how your gifts of time, talents, or treasures may help our students.
This holiday season, I wish each of you peace, joy, and time to reflect on the incredible progress we have made together. While the road has not always been easy, your collective efforts have shown the true spirit of this community. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to #LeadTheClimb.
We remain committed to supporting each and every single student in our school system. Again, 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. May your holidays be filled with love, rest, and renewed hope for the year ahead.
Mister Chair and Madam Vice Chair, congratulations on your election to lead the Board of Education. I look forward to working with you in these new roles. This concludes my comments.