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Asheville and county schools update capital projects; staff identify $66K–$76K reverting to fund
Summary
Project managers reported bids, construction timing, and security and mechanical upgrades across Asheville City and Buncombe County schools, including a Feb. 19 bid schedule for Asheville High culinary kitchen, a $900,000 elevator alternate at Paul Fletcher, and staff-identified project closures expected to return roughly $66,000–$76,000 to the school capital fund.
Ronnie and district staff briefed the commission on multiple active capital projects across Asheville City Schools. Key items included culinary kitchen renovations at Asheville High (design finalized; bids to be issued Feb. 19 and returned in March), Paul Fletcher renovations with an exterior elevator alternate estimated at about $900,000 (city schools capital funds expected to offset some cost), and a middle-school track and restroom project with schematics approved and bidding planned prior to summer construction.
Ronnie described common work items: replacing outdated kitchen equipment, upgrading fire suppression systems, expanding classroom space for growing programs, and making mechanical upgrades to improve energy efficiency. On secure entrances, staff said only two small secure-entrance projects remain for Asheville City, with one other campus having a separate security issue under review.
County Schools staff presented a district snapshot, reporting 28 remaining lobby-security projects and noting that interior-footprint security projects typically cost around $100,000; Enka (transcript: "Inca") High’s corridor closure improved building security, and the district has updated chillers at Reynolds High and Reynolds Middle. The aquatic center lighting system was replaced after unsafe conditions; the presenter said Buncombe County residents, YMCA groups and student teams use the facility. W. D. Williams phase 1 is expected to be complete in July, and roofing and mechanical upgrades are ongoing at several schools.
Staff reviewed projects recommended for closure and said financial review by Matt Evans and staff will follow; they estimated roughly $66,000–$76,000 will revert to the school capital fund when the closures are complete and final financial reconciliations occur. The commission reminded project teams to submit spreadsheets about a week before the March presentations so the group can align April funding determinations with the county budget cycle.
The meeting closed with routine approvals and adjournment. Several projects noted will return to the commission for additional funding requests at future meetings.
