Asheville City Schools Propose No-Cut Budget for 2025-26

News Summary

Asheville City Schools’ Board of Education proposes a $36.4 million budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, aiming to maintain current funding levels without staffing cuts. Despite challenges such as diminishing enrollment and rising costs, the board requests an additional $2.45 million from county commissioners, paired with a modest tax increase. Community support is strong, with petitions urging the preservation of educational services and staffing. The outcome of upcoming budget meetings will significantly impact the school district’s future.

Asheville City Schools Propose No-Cut Budget Amid Potential Tax Increases for Fiscal Year 2025-26

Asheville, a vibrant city nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is buzzing with the latest news from Asheville City Schools (ACS). The Board of Education has come together in a united front, unanimously backing a proposed budget that aims to keep all current funding levels in place while avoiding any staffing cuts. This sounds like good news for students and educators alike!

Proposed Budget Overview

The ambitious budget totals a hefty $36.4 million for the fiscal year 2025-26. It’s a significant increase from last year’s budget of $33.4 million, though it’s important to note that the previous year faced a budget reduction of over $700,000 due to cuts from county commissioners after the chaos caused by Tropical Storm Helene.

A Request for More Funding

Now, the school board is hoping for a little extra help, requesting an additional $2.45 million in funding from the county commissioners. As part of this request, the board suggests a modest increase in the ACS supplemental tax from 10.62 cents to 12 cents per $100 of property value, which would mean an increased cost of about $55.20 more per year for owners of a $400,000 home. This increase aims to keep the school services flowing and is seen as a crucial step given the district’s declining enrollment.

Balancing the Budget

As the school year progresses, there are challenges on the horizon. The district anticipates $440,000 less in state funding due to diminishing enrollment numbers, which makes for a challenging budgetary landscape. Costs are also projected to rise in various areas, such as charter schools, which will see an increase of $50,000, bringing the total to over $3 million.

On top of that, the school nutrition program, now offering free meals for students, is facing an additional anticipated cost of $500,000 due to low student participation—a situation that needs addressing to ensure all kids have access to healthy meals.

The State of Funding

As if that weren’t enough, unfunded salary increases mandated by the state will add around $1.3 million to the budget. To make matters even more complicated, the costs for utilities and insurance are expected to surpass $400,000. With these factors in play, the proposed budget will drain the fund balance to $6.2 million, getting perilously close to the two-month operating reserve “gold standard.”

Impact on Staffing

There’s always a risk when budgets get tight, and this proposal is no exception. The board plans to make significant cuts that could see nine central office positions and approximately 13.5 school-based positions eliminated if the funding request is not met. Many in the community have voiced concerns over potential staff reductions, knowing that these cuts could hinder the school’s responsiveness and service to students.

Community Involvement

The response from the educators and community has been phenomenal. A petition circulated among teachers has called for maintaining all pre-hurricane staff, services, and programming following the budget cuts that have already impacted the schools. Community members have rallied behind this cause, sending over 5,000 emails urging the Buncombe County Commissioners to reject any additional cuts.

Looking Ahead

As local officials gear up for a work session scheduled for May 2, all eyes are on the Board of Commissioners as they take on the challenging task of deciding budget allocations. The stakes are high, and the need for a solid and supportive funding plan has never been more critical for Asheville City Schools as they navigate through these unpredictable waters.

As the conversation about funding continues, the school board is planning to revisit requests for early childhood education funding after finalizing its strategic plan, ensuring that the priority for tomorrow’s learners remains intact.

With these financial challenges ahead, the community’s support and input will be fundamental to shaping the future of education in Asheville. Everyone is holding their breath, hoping for a positive resolution that benefits all students.

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Governor Josh Stein Commits $1.07 Billion for Hurricane Helene Recovery
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Additional Resources

• WLOS: Educators to present no cuts budget petition
• Fox Carolina: Educators express concerns with school budget cuts
• WLOS: Buncombe County cuts budget, sparking community protest
• Google Search: Asheville Education Budget Cuts
• Wikipedia: Asheville