[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6653624,"mediaKeyId","2478050-f656c738f8ec01b936985f2c12372250","parentId",2478050,"title","Asheville City Schools projects about $7 million shortfall; board weighs cuts, enrollment strategies and grant options","audioSeconds",3697,"startMs",2339000,"endMs",6036000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2478050-f656c738f8ec01b936985f2c12372250&start=2339&end=6036","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2478050-f656c738f8ec01b936985f2c12372250/thumbnail_2339000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653624/North-Carolina/Asheville-City-Schools-projects-about-7-million-shortfall-board-weighs-cuts-enrollment-strategies-and-grant-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653624-df662c7348a529a8bbe36d7b31166595/orig.mp4?Expires=1775402646&Signature=UVpbSNn690Mlgh-O-VlkT9qYJvy9bWPw~nRLsrh6Okc~5Zu0heSbBP6hR8ycyAo0nhPenVbRMHJ~KfXfOCA7dDsSPlwFUBCleiZ3bLNxQ95EwQWIbUgmARFTmlH7jw9x0Z9FRl0668vgpKnYP9AKsZNgPQwSRdF9SN1GhhscuB7wUIVZ34KO5r2U7wQq~yWXVEPkxBt1Wy3b5hEOKIRJX0KkKVoCGOLWhAtS94C4T7g3PmGtHxt45gLtis4kvHF~QcSjnh5udu373RDjv-hkgp-iMvSyjiNCdrq20sWQ5sJAKb9TcBytls9xjlnQ61K-tMr6n1VQm8Mt0qN4gKiXXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Asheville City Schools","date","2025-03-04T01:15:23.657Z","article","District finance staff updated the board on an emerging budget shortfall of roughly $6.95 million for the coming fiscal year and presented options staff will model to narrow the gap.

Heidi (district finance staff) summarized pressures that drive the projected deficit, including lower student enrollment (ADM) that reduces state position allotments, continuing deficits in preschool (about $800,000 this year), an approximately $2 million shortfall connected with exceptional-children funding caps, uncertainties in state-level funding and possible large teacher-pay proposals, and recent operational and capital demands after the hurricane.

Heidi advised the board that the projection had been refined downward from an earlier $7.7 million figure to $6.95 million but cautioned that late-developing state or county budget actions and potential pay increases could change the number. She identified three categories staff will analyze for savings:

- Adjusting class-size allotments (for selected grades or schools) to capture staffing efficiencies,
- Reviewing central-office positions for eliminations or consolidation, and
- Modifying employee calendars (e.g., reducing 11-month assignments to 10 months where appropriate).

Board members and staff also discussed strategies to increase revenue or blunt enrollment loss: waiving out-of-district fees as an enrollment strategy (historical revenue from those fees was cited around $160,000, to be confirmed), a local supplemental property-tax increase (the board has discussed asking the county for the full 12 cents instead of the current 10.62 cents), and applying for federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) funds for capital and mitigation projects tied to hurricane damage. Board members discussed Article 39 county funding mechanics and an introduced Senate Bill 131 as factors that could affect capital funding.

Several board members urged caution over school closures and recommended a fuller, districtwide capacity analysis before any facility consolidation, arguing closures can accelerate enrollment loss and carry long-term fiscal consequences.

The board directed staff to return financial scenarios that quantify potential savings tied to class-size adjustments, central office changes and calendar modifications, and to provide a breakdown of out-of-district fees by level and updated projections for Article 39 and possible CDBG-DR grant requests. Staff said they will present options and modeled savings at an upcoming work session (target: April). Board members also asked staff for more detail on the county's projected $70 million shortfall and how that could affect school allocations.

What’s next: staff will model specific budget options and provide revenue and timing details (out-of-district fees, Article 39, CDBG-DR opportunities) for the April work session so the board can make decisions needed for the county budget cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Asheville City Board of Education Work and Closed Session 3/3/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Finance staff told the Asheville City Schools board the district faces an updated projected shortfall of about $6.95 million and outlined staffing and program changes staff will model to reduce the gap.","taxTitle","Asheville City Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",57001,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6653628,"Board advances several policies to second read, debates tobacco/vape language and community-use rules; adopts draft board norms with one dissent",2228,2612000,4840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2478050-f656c738f8ec01b936985f2c12372250&start=2612&end=4840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2478050-f656c738f8ec01b936985f2c12372250/thumbnail_2612000.jpg","/articles/6653628/North-Carolina/Board-advances-several-policies-to-second-read-debates-tobaccovape-language-and-community-use-rules-adopts-draft-board-norms-with-one-dissent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653628-345efeb7cc01432c314f8c989d5208df/orig.mp4?Expires=1775402647&Signature=bjHXIzz7abfRwmbDeIIe8Lf3dJxg94GQ3TSmnmEQyi-i75MDJDcPb6Ahwc54c7IhT5NLLgkBkbZSy1mnOKsiw7ZXCi98kS384nCUzICykrHu86B7knIc3id9oVvYEYChAPvDysG8a8a0A56WJcIgYcifjBkhSk5JBjC1j7jIHL9XCXb2KaWBzCWmvTMJCn11gavahImMPQ-twc8BuyzpNk~lBkaBHlcK64rspvcK0NfVqyPl~hNJkkH5NNZ72BH5HrNw891W2v9NGIwS47sbtayXTcQdcYqd3fnS86GWvc1zp~5pBrhIQlKV-17oWeKEeXKC~6JENcVhjFcslzOm0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members reviewed a slate of policy and procedure updates and directed staff to move several items to second read while postponing further work on a facilities-use memorandum of understanding because of potential conflicts.

Kim Deckett and other staff summarized the policy package. Deckett said four policies had cleared first read and were ready to proceed to second read. Board counsel Anna responded to questions about compliance and open meetings law, telling the board she saw no violation so long as external platforms and policy links remain accessible from the district site.

Several discrete issues drew discussion:

- Web page development: Board members noted a blank URL field in the draft language and asked staff to fill it before adoption.

- Oath of office (policy 21-10): Board member Pepe asked that paragraph C match the actual wording used during oath administration; staff said they would harmonize the policy language and the oath wording and return with a revision.

- Remote participation (policy 2302): The district will advance a remote-participation policy to second read; board members raised questions about emergency exceptions but acknowledged current law and precedents.

- Tobacco and vaping (policy 4320 and related student/staff policies): Board members discussed whether the policy title and definitions should explicitly include vaping; staff noted the State School Board Association language already expands the definition to include electronic cigarettes and vaping. Counsel noted that substances other than nicotine (e.g., CBD) generally fall under separate drugs and paraphernalia policies. The board agreed to move the tobacco-related policy to second read as drafted.

- Community use of facilities (policy 5030): The policy currently allows for-profit groups to use district facilities and was updated with a revised fee schedule. Board members raised concerns about insurance requirements and potential conflicts when a board member has an affiliation with a user group. Counsel advised that policy discussions belong in open session but that conflicts over specific MOUs and recusal questions could require attorney-client privilege and discussion in closed session. The board deferred further action on the facilities policy until staff clarifies whether conflicts require recusal or a closed-session legal review.

Board norms: The board reviewed draft governance, communications and meeting norms and moved them forward by consensus after minor wording changes to emphasize that the board will be \"intentional about ensuring every student gets what they need.\" One board member said they could not fully support the governance norms as drafted and asked for future reconsideration; the remainder of the board approved the norms for immediate use pending any future edits.

What’s next: staff will return revised policy language on oath wording and web link details, place approved policies on the board's second-read calendar as requested, and bring additional analysis on facilities-use insurance and potential conflicts. The board will reconvene discussions on any withheld items after legal review.","Board members moved several policies toward second reading and debated wording for the tobacco/vaping and community-use policies while adopting draft board norms after a brief revision.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6653633,"Board told of unscheduled Claxton chiller replacement; contract will go on consent agenda",117,2615000,2732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2478050-f656c738f8ec01b936985f2c12372250&start=2615&end=2732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2478050-f656c738f8ec01b936985f2c12372250/thumbnail_2615000.jpg","/articles/6653633/North-Carolina/Board-told-of-unscheduled-Claxton-chiller-replacement-contract-will-go-on-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653633-88125b81268af7ecb6ed76c3624a4d1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775402647&Signature=Gqtp3sosZsV4AnqWCZ2xCFa203e20pPGWDt9~OdMCy6sEn36ZpcGOnR~k9Z~cQeJcIrMgRMTVj9-fiA~tek7EVSykszRACRdFFm-Vee-KMun6cImknhXwtC3piO3xrl0wXbeyVjCl4yvt0lY8f11ipJsyKS8QnDWO5pUJ5xrn1V8yJQy1NffY0jZALzQkVUbYxVOhfGM4CsJQ0yYidO4LAwonqyVrT63zgWwU4pKpaiKQ2jaa4NvA7v248sosLsixw8IqRPWRYcAKbn7Rbu8w4UEUWUJz1EWiUE2foAV8clJaF6PZr~2eOEcLxrp-ldAAchpUWlDKRFGS1f9n4wAEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District operations staff told the board that a chiller at Claxton malfunctioned before the school year and emergency equipment was installed, and the full replacement now requires board approval because it exceeds the dollar threshold for staff-level contracts.

\"This was the chiller that broke right before school started this year, and we had to put in an emergency chiller. It was a malfunction, but it had passed its warranty... it is time to completely replace it. But no, it was not scheduled. Just an unscheduled expense,\" said Dr. Deckens, who briefed the board on the contract list.

Board members asked whether the Claxton replacement is comparable to other chiller work in the district and staff said they would research and return with a comparison. The board did not vote on the contract at the meeting; staff said the item will be placed on the consent agenda for approval at a subsequent meeting.

What’s next: the Claxton chiller replacement contract will be brought to the board on the consent agenda for formal approval; staff will provide a comparison to other recent chiller work when requested by board members.","Officials said a chiller at Claxton failed before school started and an emergency chiller was installed. Because the full replacement exceeds the board's approval threshold, staff will bring the replacement contract to the consent agenda for board approval.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6653638,"Board reviews DPI-required summer testing plan; retests may affect school proficiency ratings",304,2335000,2639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2478050-f656c738f8ec01b936985f2c12372250&start=2335&end=2639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2478050-f656c738f8ec01b936985f2c12372250/thumbnail_2335000.jpg","/articles/6653638/North-Carolina/Board-reviews-DPI-required-summer-testing-plan-retests-may-affect-school-proficiency-ratings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653638-293f565aa64c775b397076fae5472eb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775402647&Signature=EIRKuCsQwSwsu9B2JknjDJysZtDlXvU9h5XfXBnbK7g7Yw~TVaT2zYW~GqaZL5KPn5t8MrlE~BSv1OGKbQjoKcDDo09J-7hViOptNDQfIeWEIm2Hm2YELiPf2t5ZGUGO75oxSBETn6H-s4FoH2j5WmDPseItYeTAGtWeXezKRpYzHmblEdp6lMLCC~9lwNXNKElAbdycrDYsFtfjd6YABO0RUReFm7xkWLCYmGhNCwQY0C5s9MDaUp-mWJBAruybFpoYW7MAR2OcP2OSJ3yQ~Lab-AfjgEo6QfDiSHEf0suWTULcihQIGRSYRCkvx19Epl11eQABzUCPIVbuJcNy1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ian Nelson, a district accountability and assessment staff member, told the board the district must approve and submit a summer testing plan that combines instruction with retesting opportunities required by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Nelson said the district will offer summer testing opportunities at all levels this year — middle school testing in June during workdays, elementary testing at the end of that week and high school testing after summer school. He said the plan differs from previous years because the district will provide summer testing at elementary, middle and high school levels.

Nelson explained the consequences: \"For high school students, for example, it will not replace their grade that they received on the original test, but it will potentially contribute to the overall proficiency rate for the school,\" he said. The district said retests can affect school accountability measures (proficiency and growth) even when they do not replace an individual student's course grade.

Nelson said students with the most significant disabilities who participate in the extended-content NC Extend 1 assessment will not be asked to take that assessment again in summer. Board members asked for participation-rate context; Nelson said participation historically is under 50 percent of invited families and varies by grade and subject.

Board members asked whether the board should place the plan on a consent agenda for a future meeting. Nelson said the district must file a signed copy of the plan with the state by April 4 and suggested adding the item to the board's March 10 consent agenda for formal board approval.

Next steps: staff will prepare the signed plan for board approval and file it with DPI by April 4; staff will provide participation-rate context and details about testing windows and incentives for students as requested by board members.","Ian Nelson presented a summer testing and instructional plan required by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. District officials said summer retests will not change individual course grades but may affect school proficiency rates; the board will sign and submit the plan to the state by April 4.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6653642,"Asheville City Schools starts strategic-planning sessions to craft local \"portrait of a graduate\"",3459,393000,3852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2478050-f656c738f8ec01b936985f2c12372250&start=393&end=3852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2478050-f656c738f8ec01b936985f2c12372250/thumbnail_393000.jpg","/articles/6653642/North-Carolina/Asheville-City-Schools-starts-strategic-planning-sessions-to-craft-local-portrait-of-a-graduate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653642-938215674f7cc9ef7f91477aa7485a89/orig.mp4?Expires=1775402647&Signature=hIYgczfSLVEApgl8Wid5om76opXXPet9GKoyYirStplBpb~SMAXPCXJ2KHhZ7GrlfskKB9GYv~l2ok6ti4OtCMBBwC-X2d7VLlNCHLngf-KFhOEiHzl84n34cT4sBsFWp7V5WPcYnDhHrY7NgoZYEv0w5BLjMfq8CYijaI1WbWAnmPxSN2LCHLkgTUR6VpGv1hWgthKGyWJOr0~s9fdcqxlYLxH1vugIu3iPw51TEpyRlm-~3XdD3NLXMlflamOoqsaydppqAvrbfAdfR1lhrrszDta532PWWrMT8Qk9EojoGvUB4J08wdU1Ns3Y6VT2ToHAwgN-EYWFVOB5NVd4sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants working with Asheville City Schools presented the start of a districtwide strategic-planning process on Wednesday, asking the school board to help shape a local “portrait of a graduate” that will guide curriculum and district priorities.

The presentation, led by Julie Kankey of ConnectED, the National Center for College and Career, and facilitated by Dr. Mary Salander, framed the work as a move from measuring content knowledge toward defining the skills students must use with what they know. \"The world simply no longer cares how much our kids know. What the world cares about is what they can do with what they know,\" Kankey told the board.

The board and consultants said the portrait of a graduate will complement state standards and testing by naming durable skills — such as communication, critical thinking and collaboration — that local employers and community leaders say matter. Kankey cited a Rand Corporation review noting that only a small share of state math test items measure higher-order thinking, and said many districts are adopting graduate profiles to emphasize skills that tests may not capture.

Consultants described Phase 0 as a historical inventory of district programs and community priorities and said the next steps are to gather wider input through modules for staff, students and families and to synthesize those responses into recommendations for the board. The consultants asked the board to consider what students should know and be able to do when they receive a diploma and to prioritize the district’s distinctive needs — for example, skills that would encourage graduates to stay and work in the Asheville area.

During a facilitated exercise, board members and attendees suggested competencies and learning experiences they want the portrait to include. Examples collected during the meeting included leadership and teamwork; communication across differences; financial literacy; adaptability and perseverance; civic knowledge; creativity and problem solving; and bilingual or multilingual skills. Consultants said the ideas will be compiled with district data and community feedback.

Consultants outlined a timeline: staff and community engagement in the coming weeks; compiled recommendations and a draft report returned to the board around April–May; and a May–July phase to map existing programs to the adopted vision ahead of a strategic plan and implementation plan developed over the summer.

Board members and staff said they value a local profile that aligns with community workforce needs and asked the consultants to ensure the final recommendations include measurable ways to show progress. The board did not take a final vote on policy at the session; consultants will return with a consolidated report and proposed language for the district’s strategic plan.

What’s next: district staff and consultants will gather broader input from teachers, families and students and deliver draft recommendations to the board around April–May; the board will consider adoption as part of its strategic planning timeline.","Consultants and board members began a multi-month strategic-planning process to define what every Asheville City Schools graduate should know and be able to do, with public input and a timeline for draft recommendations in April–May.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Asheville City Schools projects about $7 million shortfall; board weighs cuts, enrollment strategies and grant options

Board advances several policies to second read, debates tobacco/vape language and community-use rules; adopts draft board norms with one dissent

Board told of unscheduled Claxton chiller replacement; contract will go on consent agenda

Board reviews DPI-required summer testing plan; retests may affect school proficiency ratings

Asheville City Schools starts strategic-planning sessions to craft local "portrait of a graduate"