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Avery County commissioners, school board tour county schools to review maintenance concerns
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Summary
Avery County commissioners and the county Board of Education met Oct. 29, 2025, for a joint tour of seven schools to inspect maintenance and building issues; the meeting began at 8:05 a.m. and was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. following a unanimous motion to close.
The Avery County Board of Commissioners and the Avery County Board of Education convened Oct. 29, 2025, at the Avery County Board of Education central offices in Newland for a joint tour of county school facilities focused on maintenance concerns and other building issues. Chair Tim Phillips called the commissioners to order at 8:05 a.m.; Pat Edwards called the Board of Education to order at the same time.
Members of both boards toured seven schools: Avery County High School (401 Avery County High School Rd., Newland), Avery County Middle School (102 Old Montezuma Rd., Newland), Newland Elementary School (750 Linville St., Newland), Banner Elk Elementary School (155 Orchard Lane, Banner Elk), Riverside Elementary School (8020 S. US 19E Hwy, Newland), Cranberry Middle/Freedom Trail Elementary School (6230 N. US 19E Hwy, Newland) and Crossnore Elementary School (1290 Walt Clark Rd., Newland). The stated purpose of the itinerary was to review maintenance concerns and other facility issues at each site.
Present from the Board of Commissioners were Chair Tim Phillips, Vice-Chair Dennis Aldridge and Wood Hall Young, Jr.; commissioners Robert Burleson and Junior Benfield were listed as absent. Present from the Board of Education were Pat Edwards (chair), Michelle Burnop, Randy Singleton, Linda Webb and David Wright. The meeting record is attested by Cindy Turbyfill, clerk.
At the close of the day’s tour, Vice-Chair Dennis Aldridge moved to adjourn; Wood Hall Young, Jr. seconded. The motion to adjourn at 4:00 p.m. passed unanimously among those present (3-0). No votes on ordinances, budgets or other formal actions were recorded in the meeting minutes beyond the adjournment motion.
The joint site visits were recorded in the meeting minutes as a special meeting for the purpose of touring school facilities; minutes indicate the boards reviewed maintenance concerns but do not specify follow-up actions, estimated repair costs, or timelines.