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Votes at a glance: Board approves EL contract 4–3; HVAC replacement and fee schedules also pass
Summary
At its June meeting the Asheville City Schools Board approved a one-year EL coaching contract 4–3, an HVAC replacement contract, fee schedules and a personnel report; the EL vote followed extended debate about trade-offs with staffing and professional development funding.
At its June meeting the Asheville City Schools Board took action on several items the district presented for approval. Below are the board's formal actions and outcomes.
EL Education contract (professional development / coaching)
- Action: Approve a one‑year contract with EL (instructional coaching and implementation support) at an annual amount reported in the meeting materials of $319,400 after a negotiated reduction of roughly $45,000 prior to the vote. - Motion: Motion to approve (mover: Rebecca, second: Amy Ray). The board debated costs, timing and trade-offs with staffing. Superintendent Maggie Fuhrman described the work as a multi-year, coach‑led reform model rather than a one-off initiative. - Vote: Approved 4–3. Tally reported by roll call at the meeting: 4 yes, 3 no. (Board members recorded as voting yes and no during the public roll call; the clerk recorded a 4–3 outcome.) - Notes: Supporters argued the contract builds internal capacity and accelerates instructional improvement; opponents said the expense is difficult to reconcile with near-term staffing pressures.
Dakin rooftop-unit replacement contract (HVAC)
- Action: Approve contract to replace five rooftop units (heat-exchanger/RTU work) with Dakin, contract value reported in meeting materials approximately $165,000–$170,000. - Motion: Motion to approve (mover not recorded in minutes). The facilities director reported multiple failing heat exchangers, one unit already shut down for safety reasons and long lead times for parts and replacement. - Vote: Unanimous approval. - Notes: Facilities staff recommended replacement rather than continued repairs because of repeated board replacements and the risk of unit failures in heating season.
Student fees and facility use fee schedule
- Action: Board approved the district's annual student fees schedule and the facility use fee schedule (separate listings for nonprofit and for-profit uses), as presented in the agenda materials. - Motion: Motion to approve (movers recorded in the meeting). Vote: Approved by board voice vote; remote member recorded an aye. - Notes: Board members discussed booster and PTO classifications and agreed to revisit some fee-procedure clarifications in October.
Personnel report
- Action: Approve the personnel report as presented. The superintendent reminded members this is confidential personnel information. - Motion: Motion to approve. Vote: Approved by roll call (majority ayes; remote member participated). - Notes: One name was removed from the personnel report distributed earlier; the board reviewed the revised document and approved it. The superintendent said the personnel approvals will not result in staff reductions beyond the reassign/reopen approach discussed elsewhere.
Consent agenda
- The board also approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting, which included draft minutes, a set of policies, the AIG plan, a budget amendment and expenditure report and other routine items.
Ending: The board completed action on these items and scheduled a June 24 special meeting for interim budget/spending authorization; final budget votes are expected after state allocations arrive later this year.
