School Board requests $10 million boost to maintain student services amid rising costs

During the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners' budget work session on May 2, 2025, a significant focus was placed on maintaining educational services amid rising operational costs. The discussion highlighted the need for careful financial management to ensure that local taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

The school system's budget request for the upcoming year is aimed at sustaining current services without expanding programs. This year, the request totals approximately $10.3 million, which is broken down into three main areas: an increase in salaries and benefits, costs associated with operations, and maintaining the number of teaching positions.

The first component of the budget request includes a proposed increase in salaries and benefits for teachers, which is essential for retaining experienced staff. The second area addresses the immutable costs of operations, which have surged due to rising utility and insurance costs. The school system is actively seeking better insurance rates, but challenges remain as property insurance costs have increased significantly since 2020.

The final portion of the budget, amounting to $4.1 million, is designated to maintain the current number of positions serving students. This reflects a commitment to ensuring that educational services remain stable, even in the face of financial constraints.

Commissioners were reminded that the initial base allotment for the previous year was $99 million, but due to budget cuts, the starting point for this year has dropped to $95 million. The increase request of $10 million is crucial for covering the rising costs without reducing services that students rely on.

As the county navigates these financial challenges, the emphasis remains on being good stewards of taxpayer resources while prioritizing the educational needs of the community. The discussions from this meeting will play a vital role in shaping the budget and ensuring that Buncombe County's students continue to receive the support they need.