Board to survey families, staff after parent asks to align spring break with Buncombe County

A parent'initiated question about aligning Asheville City Schools'spring break with Buncombe County prompted a substantive discussion and a plan to survey stakeholders.

Chair Sarah told the board a parent had emailed to ask why the district's approved 2026'7 calendar does not align with Buncombe County. Board members reviewed the calendar committee's prior process and polling results, which showed staff and stakeholders favored the current dates. "The alignment with Buncombe County was the lowest vote-getter in the options provided," one board member said, noting specific percentages from the committee's survey.

Several board members, including Jesse and Pepe, recommended sending a quick follow-up survey to teachers and families to collect near-term input. Pepe also asked that the chair reach out to Buncombe County's board chair to inform them the district is out of alignment and to inquire whether Buncombe might consider adjusting its schedule.

Board leaders did not change the approved calendar at the Feb. 6 meeting. They agreed instead to circulate a short survey to staff and families and to take additional input, with a future decision to be made if the survey indicates a compelling case to revisit the calendar. The board noted the district has pursued two-year calendar planning to provide families with stability and cautioned against frequently reversing that approach.

The chair said staff can distribute the survey quickly and return results to the board for consideration; no formal vote was taken.