[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6182111,"mediaKeyId","5109641-b9dc36c79d63a84ca096085b1edff765","parentId",5109641,"title","School board waives first reading and adopts updated personal communication device policy to restrict phones during instruction","audioSeconds",1800,"startMs",2623000,"endMs",4423000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5109641-b9dc36c79d63a84ca096085b1edff765&start=2623&end=4423","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5109641-b9dc36c79d63a84ca096085b1edff765/thumbnail_2623000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6182111/North-Carolina/School-board-waives-first-reading-and-adopts-updated-personal-communication-device-policy-to-restrict-phones-during-instruction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182111-9b178cef375c03ce2fbad1c41bf7251d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773600851&Signature=hzB31n5bL1U~DEtiCIEdWOq3pyDWFmkBkoARBXGBn8kSwtWnIJ9dl7OdGSemlwbLrs2hQb3x8A0nw1O9yCMqthw3KIOg9xrfNnIFmKJ2Syu~CHyVVGss5DJ3AQ~22Ms8ij1xVI0Phu-U7oEapK8EwfVz4bFzXEPZTqegy-1NNbKFGSVE2IRNMkzYLhiQLCLqyFKFrygBJIMqRBRavTUqx1yYfSkgxgQec1qCYzyPgiqfKa7L85IOVAMmGu1K38XLnJWpgLJMnMhFB-TLzaM8sg-RiNf6tEVbztcg0j0J9OD1eiH-B1e3MvQwTTEXYhqYXkAEDVQSOFgxlFJgYuvRLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-01T06:29:15Z","article","The Buncombe County Board of Education on June 30 waived first reading and adopted revised Policy 43‑18, updating rules on student use of personal communication devices during the school day.

Doctor Jamie Johnson summarized stakeholder work over the past year and presented recommendations to rename and modernize the policy to reference cellular phones and other modern devices, clarify expectations by age and school level, and strengthen consistent enforcement. \"Our policy really as it stands is very thorough,\" Johnson said, but added that implementation had been inconsistent and that language needed updating to include smartwatches, earbuds, gaming devices and similar electronics.

Johnson noted recent and proposed state legislation that influenced the review: earlier draft proposals (mentioned in the meeting as House Bill 87 and Senate Bill 55) had pushed for stricter statewide limits; more recently the board's staff referenced House Bill 959, described in the meeting as ratified by the General Assembly and awaiting the governor's signature. The district said the adopted policy aligns with that legislation and added explicit exceptions for medically necessary devices and accommodations tied to a student's IEP or 504 plan.

Policy committee chair Mr. Cheatham said the committee recommended waiving first reading so principals can address implementation at the district administrative retreat and distribute expectations to families before school starts. The board and district leaders emphasized communications plans — updates to student handbooks, district app, website and short video explanations — so families receive clear advance notice of the new expectations.

Reverend Martin and other board members stressed that quick, unified communication from principals is important during emergencies and that enforcing consistent expectations supports classroom learning. District counsel Dean Shatley said the policy language was aligned with the newly ratified bill and that only minor future edits would likely be required if the governor signs the legislation.

The board voted to waive first reading and to adopt the updated Policy 43‑18 by voice vote; no members opposed the motion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Buncombe County Schools Board of Education Meeting - 6/30/25","oneSentenceSummary","After a yearlong stakeholder review, the board adopted revised Policy 43‑18 to modernize device language, align with pending state law and clarify classroom expectations; the board waived first reading and adopted the policy immediately.","taxTitle","Buncombe County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",13012,"location","North Carolina","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":44,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6182116,"Board approves Learning Labs tuition increase to $600 to sustain childcare services and add days",568,2055000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5109641-b9dc36c79d63a84ca096085b1edff765&start=2055&end=2623","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5109641-b9dc36c79d63a84ca096085b1edff765/thumbnail_2055000.jpg","/articles/6182116/North-Carolina/Board-approves-Learning-Labs-tuition-increase-to-600-to-sustain-childcare-services-and-add-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182116-f3222ffefd8450527f830923c3d7d06e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773600851&Signature=MAFuPJ4Yvsqe64CY-KXqC-IWjcv4eL1zz4NFzClfGtxzvVs~ZojMsUaplA9OvHZ3k4VoOI8J6C4t9qVpQE4V6PpXLem80mx2EnyUxl3uoZzQQvHS5~e7r4Y0r41luTLp4kTPG-FKawh329cnxiSixT8iZJGpXuJLeiHmpfMTdel5dU2wmL9L0T0QkwWFtiMeGNaoXHPYzJjtjEtNCUhRdUsEQgJe78nwByFxUzyoJTUlv7Q4VjptgA63h0mjQqsYd0RE7WPHiu5X-LDH96yzZ3Emq9W503aF54qQo8VJoQfvX2KMTMykuO~E8K0m5aYpWE5x5ZbcsFlhd-88P3HSVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Buncombe County Board of Education voted June 30 to raise Learning Labs tuition from $525 to $600 per month and to expand program days to help cover staffing and operational costs.

Dr. Reed told the board that stabilization and COVID relief funds that had supported Learning Labs have run out and staffing ratios and costs increased during the pandemic. \"We received a lot of stabilization and COVID relief funds... those funds carried us through a time that we would otherwise have had to raise tuition much earlier,\" Reed said. The proposed increase is intended primarily to cover staffing costs; the district also will reclassify and adjust the pay level for a vacant director role to a coordinator position.

In exchange for the increase, the district will add two full days of care that coincide with teacher workdays before the school year and convert three early‑dismissal days to full‑day care on Oct. 31, March 27 and June 9. Board members and Reed noted the tuition remains competitive with market rates: Reed said comparable full‑day childcare in the area can approach $1,000 per month.

Board members thanked county commissioners for a recently awarded community impact grant that allowed the district to adopt the lowest of three considered increase levels; Reed said the district received notification a few weeks earlier. Board members noted the last tuition increase was in 2021.

The board approved the tuition increase by voice vote with no opposition.","The board approved raising Learning Labs tuition from $525 to $600 per month and agreed to add two teacher workdays and extend three early‑dismissal days into full‑day care; district cited expiration of stabilization funds and higher staffing costs.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6182118,"District approves school nutrition budget amendment after Hurricane Helene cost $1.6M in October revenue",209,1836000,2045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5109641-b9dc36c79d63a84ca096085b1edff765&start=1836&end=2045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5109641-b9dc36c79d63a84ca096085b1edff765/thumbnail_1836000.jpg","/articles/6182118/North-Carolina/District-approves-school-nutrition-budget-amendment-after-Hurricane-Helene-cost-16M-in-October-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182118-0bac535523bcf08b3a0fe31068f1536a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773600851&Signature=gQbOXKAzs-qjIi9ujJZhIHsZQYP7qG2mcLYd1Y2FpacmjL6UkaiWxDuTmYv~HU~u99dGKfJMqcaHabmcyTCDoPUbQwioBY30x4ITi3GI4W7mxndRvi01zNlujs7M176Yx5QbgcV7UCMzu0taOU1qkDGmtbX47cVjjr4U2xxaP5a1B-afnxEDEyi1uImc9-FLz3i2z953kDmix4tiH6LOafcifbgwCsGbX~-fnIOdNUO1I5Pj3z71mMwMqSL6I~PMw8dmMvxSAUrg3k6VrtKVIm5wr4sDkYg28PrUAZto7s1QMHO-D0qIrYiLMB~VWHOMIGI4xJCEOxVqpb0hlPwZrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Buncombe County Board of Education approved a school‑nutrition budget amendment June 30 after officials described revenue and equipment losses caused by Hurricane Helene.

\"For October, we lost $1,600,000 in revenue just by not serving meals,\" said the school nutrition director, who reported the program served modified (ready‑to‑eat) meals afterward, faced higher food costs and decreased participation through February. The director said the state reimbursed food loss and equipment loss but did not reimburse lost revenue; insurance and FEMA reimbursements are still pending.

The director said the program is distributing state funds it received and is \"fingers crossed\" for additional reimbursements from insurance and FEMA. Board members praised staff for maintaining summer meal programs and other nutrition services while the program recovers.

Chairman Elliott asked for questions and the board approved the school nutrition budget amendment by voice vote with no opposition.

The director said final budget numbers remain uncertain until 13th‑month accounting entries are completed and reimbursements are resolved. The board heard that federal carryovers will affect timing, because many federal nutrition funds run on a federal fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.

The board also praised the school nutrition team for running expanded summer feeding programs and for rapidly restoring services after the storm.","School nutrition staff told the board Hurricane Helene forced service reductions that cost the program about $1.6 million in October and led to a budget amendment; the board approved the amendment and staff await insurance/FEMA reimbursement.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6182123,"Buncombe County board approves six‑month interim budget as state funding remains uncertain",1019,583000,1602000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5109641-b9dc36c79d63a84ca096085b1edff765&start=583&end=1602","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5109641-b9dc36c79d63a84ca096085b1edff765/thumbnail_583000.jpg","/articles/6182123/North-Carolina/Buncombe-County-board-approves-sixmonth-interim-budget-as-state-funding-remains-uncertain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182123-e20cd1e5679e93d5d1e35b4b88fc1915/orig.mp4?Expires=1773600851&Signature=Ati6fQB~NCj-2-gCPD18e3D7244XGLh-M6faLHs1j1M23TE98MR0Zjg8MThiQIjUEKsoNidmq0hBUhQP1rUKVEmAN4PaZ6SSknX9PIMf64D-hLzabrwBCZrZx-04AIMHAWsPgHhcbEgJ~3V24rjOJ00fiOynFNhrhIGNJ6vsihCK-FcK6QHcJdATUpPmiSCfgDUQ231YU6bzyLZyem0p5YJ7J~T8pJAaq4YfUIgi95640anRmvWH29DUPutIqXLo3DeH8k7XY-yorqT9gOx5sH~24wHxkonKYItL6aXB5DA-XPklkL6DywyXi-8CzVQXHqxhU4X5vs3uNnAzr20M5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Buncombe County Board of Education on June 30 approved a six‑month interim budget resolution to keep schools operating through November while the state budget remains unsettled.

The interim resolution, presented by Tina Thorpe, will fund operations for the first half of the 2025–26 fiscal year and is based on the district's June 1 full‑year projection split in half, including projected salary and benefit increases and higher property and utility costs. \"This will allow us to move forward and stay in operation through November,\" Thorpe said.

Board members pressed district staff for details about vacancies and fund balance as uncertainty persists at the state level. Thorpe said the interim plan budgets based on actuals and that positions that become vacant are budgeted and refilled only after they open. She also said the district had used fund balance to get through June 30 but that a final fund‑balance number is \"not specified\" because 13th‑month entries—insurance, utility timing and other adjustments—are recorded later.

The board discussed potential additional local revenue from Article 39. Thorpe said House Bill 309, described in the meeting as a local bill passed June 26, allows county commissioners to use some Article 39 funds for operational or capital needs for Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools, and that the district will coordinate with Asheville City Schools and county commissioners on proposals for how those funds might be used. \"We will be pulling together both us and Asheville City Schools will be pulling together our needs and presenting what we need of that to cover operations,\" Thorpe said.

Superintendent Dr. Jackson told the board the district will prioritize student‑facing positions. \"We will continue to prioritize our classroom and student facing positions going forward,\" he said, adding that a recent third‑party consolidation study found Buncombe County Schools to be \"a very lean organization.\"

Board members asked about cash‑flow risk from federal funding timing; Thorpe said district staff are coordinating with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and that federal fiscal‑year timing (Oct. 1–Sept. 30) could create temporary cash‑flow management issues.

The board voted by voice to approve the interim budget resolution. No board member voiced opposition during the vote.

Less urgent budget items approved in the same meeting included Budget Amendment No. 8; the board briefly discussed that amendment and approved it by voice vote.","The Buncombe County Board of Education approved an interim budget to fund operations through November while awaiting final state and federal budget actions, and discussed Article 39 funds, fund‑balance use and staffing priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School board waives first reading and adopts updated personal communication device policy to restrict phones during instruction

Board approves Learning Labs tuition increase to $600 to sustain childcare services and add days

District approves school nutrition budget amendment after Hurricane Helene cost $1.6M in October revenue

Buncombe County board approves six‑month interim budget as state funding remains uncertain