Dr. Woody, superintendent of Asheboro/Asheford City Schools, presented the district’s FY26 budget request to the Randolph County Board of Commissioners and asked the county to maintain the local supplemental tax rate at 11.53¢ per $100 of assessed value.

The district’s total local current‑expense request is $8,177,158, Dr. Woody said, including an estimated $515,000 for continuation costs driven by state salary and benefit increases and $320,000 for a local 1% supplement increase intended to help recruit and retain staff. "We want to be a district that continues to find the value in saying yes," Dr. Woody said, framing the request as an effort to expand opportunities while recognizing fiscal constraints.

Why it matters: The county’s decision on local supplements and capital transfers affects classroom staffing, pay competitiveness, and several large construction projects now underway.

Dr. Woody outlined the district’s capital needs and a recently awarded state grant: Asheford City Schools received a needs‑based public school capital fund grant from state lottery funds totaling $29,728,490 for a renovation at South Ashford Middle School. The grant requires a 15% local match, the superintendent said. The project budget, after bids and design work, is $35,720,423 and includes $750,000 for furniture; the district said the total dropped by about $1.1 million after redesigns eliminated a planned lease for mobile units.

The district’s capital outlay request for FY26 is $1,182,175, an increase of about $100,000 over the prior year’s allocation, Dr. Woody said. He noted the district’s continuing challenges with staffing, retention and rising operating costs, and asked commissioners to consider the district’s requests in light of projected state action on salary increases for educators.

Dr. Woody recognized district finance and HR leaders in the meeting and thanked county staff for their coordination. He also asked for volunteer proctors to assist with upcoming testing dates and described construction sequencing for the South Ashford Middle School renovation including an elevator installation planned during the summer.

Next steps: Commissioners will consider the district’s request during upcoming budget work sessions and the public hearing; final appropriation will depend on the county’s adopted budget and any ADM adjustments from the state Department of Public Instruction.