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School Capital Fund Commission approves first capital list and repurposes $1.65M for Asheville High security design
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Summary
The commission voted to forward a prioritized list of school capital projects (including W.D. Williams Elementary at $28 million) to the Board of Commissioners and approved a friendly amendment to repurpose approximately $1.65 million for Asheville High School security design if a November GO bond does not pass.
The School Capital Fund Commission voted to forward a prioritized package of school capital projects to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and approved repurposing $1.65 million toward Asheville High School security design if a November general obligation referendum does not pass.
The motion, made by the Chair (speaker 1) and seconded by another commissioner (speaker 5), designated the primary projects for the June project ordinance: W.D. Williams Elementary ($28,000,000); Asheville City Schools high-priority items including design work for security projects, Asheville Middle concession/restroom construction, and Asheville High School media-center and gym design and related front-steps repairs. Matt (speaker 4) had advised that the full package as amended would total roughly $30,146,500. During discussion commissioners and school staff stressed the desire to keep the security design work moving so projects can be shovel-ready whether or not the referendum passes.
Commissioners debated two financing scenarios: (1) proceed with pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) design funding and rely on a possible GO bond in November to fund construction, or (2) use limited-obligation bonds and the capital fund to carry project debt if the referendum does not pass. A friendly amendment to the pending motion — to repurpose $1,600,000+ toward the Asheville High School security project if there is no referendum — was offered and seconded from the floor and approved by voice vote. Chair closed the motion by voice vote and announced: "The ayes have it." No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.
Why it matters: The vote commits the commission to a near-term prioritized set of projects and clarifies how repurposed funds would be used if a November GO bond referendum is not approved. Commission and school officials said design funding now would allow projects (particularly perimeter/security work at Asheville High) to be shovel-ready if construction funds are later available through a referendum.
Commissioners said staff will prepare the June project ordinance for the Board of Commissioners and will return to the commission with any additional technical details. The commission also asked for an updated, itemized list of security projects that could be included in a GO bond package; that list was discussed in executive planning but will be shared in limited form with commissioners.
