Buncombe board hears plan for three‑year local funding formula as residents push for more money
Loading...
Summary
Board presentation detailed a proposed three‑year local current expense funding formula that would use actual collected property and sales tax (not projections) and set a baseline allocation of 37.76% for schools; public commenters urged the board to seek higher funding and more stakeholder input.
Buncombe County Schools officials on Jan. 15 presented a proposed three‑year “local current expense” funding formula designed to give the district earlier and more predictable local revenue estimates, while members of the public urged the board to push for higher funding.
CFO Tina Thorpe, who led the presentation, said the model uses actual unrestricted property and sales tax collections over a defined period rather than projected revenue and would run initially for three fiscal years beginning with the 2026–27 school year. “This model also builds in actual growth of revenues collected by Buncombe County for the ad valorem taxes,” Thorpe said, adding the agreement would notify school systems of the estimated amount by March 15 each year and includes emergency provisions to request additional funds if needed.
The presentation included an example using the county’s $316,000,000 in unrestricted revenue for the period cited; at a 37.76% baseline that would equal roughly $119,000,005 in total local funds to be split between Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools. Thorpe said Buncombe County Schools’ share under current enrollment proportions would have been about $101.6 million under the formula, “which is more than we have received” this year.
Public comment focused on whether the proposed percentage would be sufficient. “Our public schools are underfunded,” said Alex Jose Ramirez, a community member and former teacher, who asked why the plan uses received revenue rather than projected revenue and whether 37.76% “actually meet[s] the needs of Buncombe County Schools.” Sharon Broussard of the Buncombe County Association of Educators urged the board to “say no” to the negotiators and county commissioners and press for a higher allocation, calling the proposal “not enough.”
Board members pressed staff on mechanics and timing. Thorpe confirmed that the formula’s average daily membership (ADM) calculation includes Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County Schools and charter schools and that the model contains an adjustment of ±0.5 percentage points if total ADM changes by 2% or more. County attorney Chris Campbell and Thorpe explained the agreement is intended to last three fiscal years but would require ratification by successive boards after elections and therefore does not unilaterally bind future boards.
Thorpe and board members also discussed budget timing and teacher raises amid ongoing state budget uncertainty; Thorpe said local budgets often assume a 5% certified salary projection for planning, while the local formula yields steadier local revenue growth and earlier estimates. Several speakers noted the county is scheduled for a revaluation this year, which could increase collected property tax revenues captured by the formula.
The board had previously amended the agenda at the start of the meeting to treat the funding formula item as discussion only, giving the community more time to review and to allow additional stakeholder input. The presentation concluded with board members thanking county and city staff for collaborative work on the proposal.
Next steps: the formula remains a discussion item pending further review, and any formal approval would require action by all three bodies and future ratification as described in the agreement’s terms.
