[{"_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",6643148,"mediaKeyId","2532579-d6508239bea47e63f6482a153ad2efac","parentId",2532579,"title","Hall Fletcher students showcase music, art and robotics; district recognizes staff awards and outreach","audioSeconds",176,"startMs",181000,"endMs",357000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532579-d6508239bea47e63f6482a153ad2efac&start=181&end=357","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532579-d6508239bea47e63f6482a153ad2efac/thumbnail_181000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6643148/North-Carolina/Hall-Fletcher-students-showcase-music-art-and-robotics-district-recognizes-staff-awards-and-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643148-3b6032a9a6680332a2b9a6cfa5c71b4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081029&Signature=f5LYr1fNcurmImyfte7G3ZTpRiB4zaeKYITlyrcWioMGYFYPz0KoC9CwKZcXgh705VEQZgMwC1GAHdOnO7EA68hGLy3oKuPS1ZGmu98cpLqNQ4yG9m7OT48d-weDQJ5SmcW5-hjzZplMdBVQgIxP6iQsTdugZaBw7ekjNAzQc42eZBxG-kJJz96qChoAs0ReAaLM~c9bXjinU3DsA3gYl8URhTIKg-KCsRWWKDBEqDy6dFsoRvYVsNFCJwXPxZRfwAwYWKf752a~dHXwPZ2ln8OEhamfQ2mjvF-4YJ-frCYAyFEqP5dEFDe7d8yXzukvo9S8GviqyPpgHVik4PEJMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Asheville City Schools","date","2025-03-10T23:14:57.607Z","article","The meeting opened with a showcase from Hall Fletcher Elementary School. Interim principal Sean Benfield introduced musical and visual arts presentations and a robotics demonstration.

Mr. Schmidt, Hall Fletcher’s music teacher, led third‑grade students in two rhythms from a curriculum called Drumming Up Character — a social‑emotional learning program that links rhythms to traits such as fairness and caring. Benfield also guided board members on a short field trip to view student art panels and a robotics demonstration; he noted the Hall Fletcher robotics team qualified for state competition on March 16 and could advance to world competition if they qualify at states.

Superintendent Dr. Maggie Fuhrman highlighted additional district news: Hadi Kearns, the district’s chief finance officer, received the Lou Thompson Distinguished Service Award from the North Carolina Association of School Business Officials; the Asheville High event with poet Ross Gay drew more than 600 attendees; district Career and Technical Education hosted career fairs; and district staff participated in a curriculum and instruction professional development day with over 40 session choices.

The board recognized individual staff development and academic growth award winners from multiple schools. The superintendent tied these items to ongoing strategic planning and urged the community to participate in upcoming strategic‑planning engagement opportunities.

These items were presented as part of the meeting’s “good news” segment and required no board action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Asheville City Board of Education Regular Session 3/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board heard a Hall Fletcher showcase — third‑grade musical drumming, student art and a robotics demonstration — and the superintendent highlighted staff awards, robotics team accomplishments, and career/CTE events across the district.","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},6643152,"Superintendent outlines grading and promotion policy reforms and launches student advisory council",455,6728000,7183000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532579-d6508239bea47e63f6482a153ad2efac&start=6728&end=7183","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532579-d6508239bea47e63f6482a153ad2efac/thumbnail_6728000.jpg","/articles/6643152/North-Carolina/Superintendent-outlines-grading-and-promotion-policy-reforms-and-launches-student-advisory-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643152-2a339b89714854f649f0a12fc2907087/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081029&Signature=iRIEQtxgBFgKWS7ujUBWOP6bhVX~KsuBPLQ2ocZ2AAr6-i8mLrw~P664VEw0~DvdBf4VEmJ4hxSEsLgD8vOeo8ZoQbuoFVXWmvzMCdN15OTgGChy8oaFPt3Jmr~gK-~8PIoOYmF~bo4tY4VGi5ohpT9VYEstrwp2JFuWtD9qFbQBr~e8uWjql0sFzkTF-eyilf7T7xS3kLFez6nJIFwH1fPzWXNTBg7sMS1p~tFAIcqU1jh6B-bFTogFVudlv-xYi9CA8Tqp7XAVczSCmLnJuRj-3s~43Byh122zvc19hpkGRCK8OFODvNM~a~rFelJfs6TrhuR5iEd7JCleEgz10A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Maggie Fuhrman updated the board on two proposed policy reforms — grading practices and student promotion criteria — and described plans to bring first‑read drafts to the April work session.

Fuhrman said the grading policy draft will emphasize five core practices recommended as best practices in equitable grading: grades should reflect student proficiency on standards; support a culture of revision; provide timely, actionable feedback; and separate habits of scholarship from academic mastery. She said the district is collecting stakeholder input through principals and the Educator Advisory Council and plans to bring a first reading of the grading policy to the April work session with a second read in May.

On promotion and accountability, Fuhrman said staff are drafting benchmarks and procedures that promote high academic standards, early identification of students who need intervention, and fair, nondiscriminatory approaches to promotion decisions. The district will present promotion benchmark drafts to the Educator Advisory Council and collect school‑level feedback before a first read.

Fuhrman also announced the formation of an inaugural student advisory council. The pilot cohort will include students in grades 7 through 11; students will serve two‑year terms and the first meeting is scheduled for April. The council will provide student perspectives on topics including grading and promotion.

The board did not vote on policy text at the meeting; Fuhrman said the next formal steps are a first read at the April work session, stakeholder feedback and a second read in May.","Superintendent Dr. Maggie Fuhrman presented draft policy changes on grading and promotion designed to center equity and mastery, and announced an inaugural student advisory council to begin meeting in April.",{"_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},6643157,"District staff outlines state bills that could affect Asheville City Schools: pay, testing, calendars and more",834,1979000,2813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532579-d6508239bea47e63f6482a153ad2efac&start=1979&end=2813","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532579-d6508239bea47e63f6482a153ad2efac/thumbnail_1979000.jpg","/articles/6643157/North-Carolina/District-staff-outlines-state-bills-that-could-affect-Asheville-City-Schools-pay-testing-calendars-and-more","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643157-5d5a7b6e95085d151438f74b88f647d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081029&Signature=NJDgqC~WkRHg7Bor7uP2oW69p1T2RvG6Auxu1Hq5UYMVpYZORbQsg3TzyVEnb~gnlojLPcKOVzoF0ufuEprXGKEHM70sQs7ymyy2mw8T1KpXj-2CkpBYmqZbllJJiVF4EAqbSf4OUlQlisRJturLnCtGE7xuh38EfqlNuSiVmzk21RoXYOGkVDomjCY~W3XcLTnI9bdd7i9snpPNbN55wJSyqhH0fA9nxtrNkitw8Cy5TMJHXlxaiJiXIwf9sgk0zKsLG5ctluqDujhBoOnDA729XzvJ4V8CSQsm-8KSjpQVC9ewGKT6038pPlbIg8M8qf6su6o9LuxDEoIcyG-upw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented a wide‑ranging legislative update to the Asheville City Schools Board covering proposed bills in the North Carolina General Assembly that could affect the district.

The presenter summarized non‑budget and budget issues under discussion at the state level and highlighted items district leadership is tracking. Topics on the list included proposals on teacher pay and licensure, calendar flexibility, school accreditation, Opportunity Scholarships (vouchers), and changes to testing and principal pay structures. The presenter also noted specific bills by number and subject matter, including bills described in the meeting as House Bill 82 (study commission for very large LEAs), House Bill 150 (expedite surplus property to educational organizations), House Bill 186 (\"Stars and Stripes Commitment Act\" regarding flag display and pledge recitation), House Bill 192 (teacher pay raise proposals), and Senate Bill 227 (requirements on DEI and public institutions), among others.

The update also covered measures about cell‑phone policies in schools (House Bill 87 and separate Senate proposals), possible changes to school district accreditation, and provisions to hold districts harmless for average daily membership (ADM) counts in hurricane‑impacted areas. The presenter said the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) legislative priorities include higher teacher pay, additional aid for schools affected by the hurricane, and a temporary moratorium on Opportunity Scholarship expansion.

Staff urged the board and community to engage in advocacy, noting that State Superintendent Mike (Moe) Greene will hold listening sessions in the western region; staff encouraged attendance to raise district priorities.

No formal board action was recorded on the legislative update; it served as an informational briefing to help board members and the community identify priorities for advocacy and to prepare for the state budget process, which the presenter said typically targets a June goal for adoption.","District staff reviewed several North Carolina bills and policy proposals under consideration — from teacher pay and calendar flexibility to vouchers, cell‑phone rules and Article 39 capital funding — and urged community advocacy during the long session.",{"_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},6643162,"Board adopts conduct norms, authorizes chair to press legislators on Article 39 funding and pauses on CDBG‑DR amendment",998,4820000,5818000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532579-d6508239bea47e63f6482a153ad2efac&start=4820&end=5818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532579-d6508239bea47e63f6482a153ad2efac/thumbnail_4820000.jpg","/articles/6643162/North-Carolina/Board-adopts-conduct-norms-authorizes-chair-to-press-legislators-on-Article-39-funding-and-pauses-on-CDBGDR-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643162-198bd43877834ada158ec9bb8b4443d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081029&Signature=iAwBj3y~Js4kqAeQ8qsbsjmvlM5Aftt-yVfTcTUoMjDCR6UIqRgdcF~9AiTGVlDCOROXv54E8A-b6GAjRItDbFDv9QRfltdMu6YSPOJA-K7miwdB~cZlLGRbMo3EDvo9YfSN7ukKKJAJvpKz1qdjzdOwPqcFb4CgGV8c-0sqSh5xehINQUkrd3-z9ghWYIoT8g8GJaK~Z7duP3RJ68-N21Qhj3SZh8CvHwN4z3qEBPoychm7s1ydbqmbqHljG9njeHj5ZKjWxVYQyriAJXN0QwjRGmu0EhlqlAfrOnxEXamDd5FC3apQu9Zr6KGKuFWo29JyV-3dObebtH14eMRkrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Asheville City Schools Board voted to approve a set of board norms and gave the board chair discretion to finalize and send a joint letter asking state legislators to preserve Article 39 capital funding for schools. Board members debated the norms before the vote, and one member registered formal opposition.

A board member who stated objections at a prior work session repeated concerns at the meeting about any norms that might limit members’ accessibility to staff and the public. “I am concerned about the board norms being edited, and certain things being omitted,” said the speaker identified in the transcript as a board member. That board member specifically urged the board to maintain an open‑door policy for staff and families and to ensure the board retains statutory oversight duties.

Other members responded that the norms were intended to clarify role boundaries and to ask members to route operational concerns through the superintendent or designee. After brief discussion the board voted to approve the norms; the meeting record shows the measure passed by a majority with one member opposed.

On a separate staffing and funding matter, the board considered a proposed letter asking state lawmakers not to amend Article 39 — a source of school capital funding. The chair noted the draft letter would be shared with Buncombe County Schools and other organizations and that the board would add Asheville City Schools‑specific examples of capital projects before sending it. A motion to vest board chair Sarah Thornburg with authority to tweak and submit the proposed Article 39 letter passed on a subsequent voice vote.

The board also considered a request to ask the City of Asheville to amend its draft Community Development Block Grant — disaster relief (CDBG‑DR) plan to explicitly include childcare, preschool and local educational agencies as eligible infrastructure. Several board members said they wanted more information before sending a formal letter because CDBG‑DR rules and eligible project definitions can be specific. Superintendent Dr. Fuhrman said staff were preparing an FAQ and that the grant’s public comment window was time‑sensitive; board members agreed to gather more information and to consider a special meeting if needed.

The board also approved the consent agenda (which included draft minutes, student releases, school nutrition items, contracts and a superintendent contract amendment) by unanimous voice vote earlier in the meeting.

No changes to Article 39 or to the CDBG‑DR plan were finalized at the meeting; the board authorized the chair to pursue the Article 39 letter and asked staff to return with more detailed guidance on CDBG‑DR eligibility and timing.","The Asheville City Schools Board approved new board norms, with one member opposed, and authorized the board chair to finalize and send a letter asking legislators not to alter Article 39 school capital funding. The board discussed but delayed a separate request about Asheville's CDBG‑DR plan pending more staff analysis.",{"_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},6643166,"Teachers, parents and students urge Asheville board to seek 'no‑cuts' budget after $4.7 million clawback",1670,2957000,4627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532579-d6508239bea47e63f6482a153ad2efac&start=2957&end=4627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532579-d6508239bea47e63f6482a153ad2efac/thumbnail_2957000.jpg","/articles/6643166/North-Carolina/Teachers-parents-and-students-urge-Asheville-board-to-seek-nocuts-budget-after-47-million-clawback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643166-5236c157ef6ff2e76d60398d086d5c73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081029&Signature=VFwt19XBFljwgIXIobRF6vfHsblrsOC7IhDKFb~z3b1vleqvU0HGnZpN8mBRspqgkQg-YXqlsFtcUT3l3bVV7xzhRvTpjzgKnUCFxs5Urqz-wkZQVYpN8n8SV3w3ogIjJbrFv7wUTRzJtpst60yt48KUvMFVEKUiL0M0EG91I4mxC9kHzRpi-atcbBzygTYF23rmoXJcG4yHjrt0ulsthj9Ausd9D8ptcujY1T100weRxMahzm1RNenFKYyOSLvLswpLqCZC1YiDsgraZqKKG~T~Xm1Z4JB-XBkzM7G-bSALW~~CJnyTbMfGcKkAVry3CwFnIY0Jd4Tit~mWNG8T0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers at the Asheville City Schools board meeting delivered urgent public comments asking the board to request a fully funded 2025–26 budget from Buncombe County that would preserve pre‑hurricane staffing and services.

“Please commit unanimously as a board to asking the county commission for a fully funded budget for the 25–26 school year,” said Samantha Aycock, a kindergarten teacher at Lucy S. Herring Elementary, during public comment. She described the January decision by the county commission to reclaim $4,700,000 from local public schools and warned of “devastation” if staff and services are cut.

Carson Bridges, a first‑grade teacher at Claxton Elementary and membership coordinator for the Asheville City Association of Educators (ACAE), told the board district staff are asking for a “no cuts” budget request that would maintain all pre‑hurricane positions, compensation, programming and services. Bridges said union leaders have circulated a petition and are asking the board to sign on and lead a unified request to county commissioners and state officials.

Speakers also presented a letter from parent organizations that called for a budget request that keeps programming and staffing at pre‑hurricane levels and asked the board to seek reimbursement of a $700,000 clawback that occurred in January. The letter, read aloud by Carolyn Small, co‑president of the Claxton Family and Teacher Organization, said parent groups would support district advocacy and noted Buncombe County’s projected $70 million deficit tied to Hurricane Helene.

Teacher and staff petition organizers told the board the petition has broad staff support: they said they collected signatures from hundreds of Asheville City Schools employees and that PTOs across the district had endorsed a no‑cuts request. “The petition now has signatures from a super majority of ACS staff members, a unanimous sort from every PTO in our district,” said Abby Hubbs, a bus driver and instructional assistant at Isaac Dixon Elementary.

Several student speakers also addressed the board. “If we don’t get more money soon, we may lose a few of our teachers,” said a Claxton first‑grade student, describing classroom impacts if staffing is reduced.

Board members did not take a formal vote on a budget request during the meeting. Multiple speakers urged the board to use its platform to ask Buncombe County commissioners to restore funding, to consider restoring city school tax rates to pre‑COVID levels and to pursue other revenue options. Presenters emphasized that operational funds — classroom staff, teacher aides and student services — are the district’s immediate priority.

Clarifying details provided during public comment included the $4,700,000 mid‑year clawback, a separate $700,000 reimbursement request the parent letter asked the board to pursue, and organizers’ statement that they had collected roughly 467 staff signatures on the petition. Speakers distinguished operational needs (staffing, interventions and day‑to‑day supports) from capital funding and said they would press both county and state officials for relief.

The board acknowledged the comments and accepted the petition materials; it did not adopt a formal budget position on the record at this meeting. Several board members said they were listening and would continue discussions with the superintendent and staff about what to request from county commissioners and the legislature.","Teachers, parents, students and parent‑teacher organizations urged the Asheville City Schools Board to request a fully funded 2025–26 budget from Buncombe County, citing a $4.7 million midyear clawback and ongoing recovery needs after Hurricane Helene.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hall Fletcher students showcase music, art and robotics; district recognizes staff awards and outreach

Superintendent outlines grading and promotion policy reforms and launches student advisory council

District staff outlines state bills that could affect Asheville City Schools: pay, testing, calendars and more

Board adopts conduct norms, authorizes chair to press legislators on Article 39 funding and pauses on CDBG‑DR amendment

Teachers, parents and students urge Asheville board to seek 'no‑cuts' budget after $4.7 million clawback