Asheville City Schools board approves APD SRO contract, extends superintendent’s term and accepts draft audit
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Summary
The Asheville City Schools Board voted to approve a school resource officer contract with the Asheville Police Department, approved an amendment extending Superintendent Maggie Furman’s contract (no change to pay), and received the district’s draft audit, which carried an unmodified opinion.
The Asheville City Schools Board of Education on Wednesday approved multiple district actions, including a new contract with the Asheville Police Department for school resource officers, an amendment extending Superintendent Maggie Furman’s employment contract with no change in overall compensation, and receipt of the district’s draft 2024–25 audit.
Board Chair (unnamed) opened the business portion of the meeting and asked for motions on the agenda and consent items before the board moved to action items. The board voted unanimously to approve the APD contract for school resource officers after a motion and second. "The contract passes unanimously and we appreciate the Asheville Police Department," the chair said.
On the superintendent’s contract amendment, the board disclosed that the matter was discussed in closed session as a confidential personnel item. The amendment extends Dr. Furman’s contract and does not change her compensation package, the chair said; the motion carried after a single board member recorded opposition.
The board also voted to approve the district’s comprehensive safety plan, a matter that had been reviewed in closed session for safety reasons. The motion passed unanimously.
An outside auditor presented the draft 2024–25 audit to the board and reported an unmodified opinion, the auditor said, noting that federal signoffs remain outstanding and that the audit is currently in draft form. Key figures cited by the auditor include a general fund balance of about $12.9 million and a capital outlay fund balance near $5.4 million. The auditor also cautioned that the Child Nutrition cash balance has declined, falling from roughly $274,000 to about $61,000 and that, if the fund were depleted, the general fund would need to cover required child nutrition expenses.
Board members moved, seconded and voted unanimously to receive the draft audit as information, with the superintendent and finance staff receiving praise for their work on the audit materials.
Next steps identified at the meeting included continuing intergovernmental discussions with Buncombe County about a possible interlocal funding agreement; the board said it would review any county proposal in an open meeting with public comment opportunities.
Votes at a glance • Approve agenda — approved (procedural motion). • Approve consent agenda (field trip to China, draft minutes, policies on second read, personnel report) — approved unanimously. • Approve APD school resource officer contract — approved unanimously. • Approve superintendent contract amendment (extends term, no compensation change) — approved (one opposed). • Approve comprehensive district safety plan — approved unanimously. • Receive draft 2024–25 audit — approved unanimously.
The board adjourned after housekeeping announcements and reminders about Veterans Day and upcoming meetings.
