BCS Board Briefing: Feb. 9, 2026

· The Board of Education will hold a Policy Committee meeting on February 17, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the Executive Conference Room at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

· The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is March 5, 2026. 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,

This evening, there will be a big celebration in the twin cities of Enka and Candler as 39 graduates cross the stage, having earned their high school diplomas! I know that we each wish that we could be there to celebrate with them, had not winter weather postponed our Mid-Year graduation four times and caused a change in this meeting’s date. Mid-Year Graduations started last week at Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy and will continue over the course of the next two weeks in our other high schools. In total, we will celebrate our reason for being as 276 graduates have earned their high school diplomas! For the third consecutive year, I am reporting to you that this is the largest cohort of mid-year graduates in school system history. I am so proud and grateful for 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 our graduates are on, we are cheering for them as they go out to make a tremendous difference in this world!

My friends, this has already been a winter unlike any we have experienced in the recent past. As the Board considers our Academic Calendar this evening, I recognize what we have learned from the pandemic and the hurricane, there is no substitute for face-to-face instruction with our amazing teachers. I do want to pause and acknowledge our teammates who have been out on the roads at 3:30am driving throughout one of the largest counties geographically in the state. Our county is diverse in landform, replete with high and low elevations. We have curvy, narrow mountain roads and three large interstates. We will never fail to make the decision that prioritizes the safety of our students and staff, and when safe to do so, allows our students to be with their teachers who love them so much.

Last week, even amid winter weather, we paused to recognize and celebrate National School Counseling Week and the extraordinary School Counselors who serve across our school system. Our School Counselors play a vital role in helping students discover their strengths, interests, and talents, while guiding them as they navigate academic, career, and social-emotional growth. They are often on the front lines of supporting student well-being and mental health, ensuring our students feel seen, heard, and supported during both moments of challenge and growth. They partner closely with families as they face the challenges of raising children in today’s world and collaborate with teachers and school staff to ensure every student is supported and has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Our School Counselors are an essential part of the total Buncombe County Schools educational program, and we are deeply grateful for their compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our students each and every day.

Next week we will honor our bus drivers. Each day in our school system, 208 buses safely transport over 10,000 students 15,800 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. Thank you Bus Drivers! We are always recruiting bus drivers and great teammates. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a difference, please reach out to our Human Resources Department.

The Buncombe County Schools Foundation is excited to announce that it is Scholarship Season! Applications close on March 18th. In 2025, the Foundation provided 145 scholarships totaling over $500,000. 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.

I am excited to share that later this month 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 24th, 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.

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BCS Board Briefing: Feb. 9, 2026