News Summary
Asheville City Schools is facing a significant budget shortfall of $2.82 million for the upcoming school year. Despite ambitious funding requests exceeding $21 million, the district received only slightly more than $17 million, prompting plans to use reserves and avoid job losses. With over 80% of its budget allocated to personnel costs, the district aims to retain staff while navigating the ongoing challenges of declining state education funds and local enrollment. Discussions about sustainability and long-term solutions are crucial as the school board works to shape the future of education funding.
Asheville
Asheville City Schools (ACS) is facing a budget shortfall of $2.82 million for the 2025-26 school year but has devised a strategy to avoid job losses among its staff. Despite requesting more than $21 million, the school district received only slightly over $17 million for its operational needs in the upcoming year.
The budget situation comes in the wake of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approving a $433.1 million budget, which included a 2.9-cent increase in taxes aimed at generating additional revenue for local services, including education. Within the approved budget, $17.3 million is earmarked for ACS and $95.8 million allocated for Buncombe County Schools (BCS).
To manage the deficit, ACS plans to utilize $3.5 million from its rainy-day fund. Superintendent Maggie Fehrman has announced a “no reduction in force” strategy, ensuring that no current employees will be terminated. However, the district will not rehire positions lost through attrition and will reassess some existing staff roles to better align with the budgetary constraints.
Employee Retention and Budget Allocation
A large portion of the ACS budget, approximately 80%, is dedicated to personnel costs. School board members have reassured that any employee wishing to stay with the district will not lose their position for the next academic year, highlighting a commitment to workforce stability despite financial challenges.
Long-Term Financial Strategies
In addition to the new local supplemental tax, ACS will receive a $90,000 allocation from Buncombe County. Nevertheless, the anticipated revenue still leaves the district grappling with a $2.82 million deficit. The school board has yet to vote on the proposed spending resolution designed to preserve positions directly impacting students, underlining the urgency of the financial situation.
The uncertainty surrounding the state education budget, which is not expected to be finalized until later in the fall, will delay any final decisions regarding the ACS budget. This delay means that the district will have to maintain its reactive approach to budgeting for the immediate future.
The Need for Sustainable Solutions
Fehrman has pointed out that relying on the fund balance to bridge budget gaps creates an unsustainable model that could lead to further deficits if not addressed. The ACS administration is advocating for a long-term budgeting framework that could better position the district to cope with ongoing financial uncertainties in the education sector.
The implications of budget decisions made now could ripple through the district for years to come, making the current conversations not only about immediate fiscal responsibility but also about the future viability of educational programs and staffing. As Asheville City Schools navigates this challenging financial landscape, the focus remains on balancing the needs of the students with the economic realities of the district.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Asheville City Council Approves New Budget
Asheville Tourists Celebrate Local Educators
Educators Voice Concerns Over Budget Shortfalls in Asheville
Buncombe County Board of Education Plans for Expansion
UNC Asheville Receives Historic $5 Million Donation
Asheville Community Unites Against Immigration Policies
Asheville Teachers Celebrated by Local Baseball Team
Asheville on the Road to Recovery After Hurricane Helene
Asheville Schools Prepare for Budget Cuts
Asheville’s River Arts District Revitalization Boosted by Goat Yoga
Additional Resources
- WLOS: Asheville City Schools Budget 2026
- Mountain X: Asheville School Board Frustration
- MSN: Asheville City Schools Taps Reserve
- Mountain X: ACS Preserves Student-Position
- Fox Carolina: Educators Concerned About Budget Cuts
- Wikipedia: Education in North Carolina
- Google Search: Asheville City Schools budget 2025
- Google Scholar: Asheville City Schools
- Google News: Asheville City Schools budget 2025
