October 20, 2025

Asheville City Schools Approves Employee Retention Bonus

Asheville, NC, October 20, 2025

News Summary

The Asheville City Board of Education has approved a one-time retention bonus of $1,000 for employees in its fiscal budget. This decision, aimed at supporting staff amid budget constraints, follows a better-than-projected fiscal year. In addition, health insurance premiums will see their first increase in seven years. Despite not qualifying for state-funded teacher raises, Asheville City Schools is investing over $840,000 in retention bonuses. The meeting also highlighted updates on alternative educational programs for students, showcasing ongoing efforts to enhance student success.

Asheville, NC – The Asheville City Board of Education approved a one-time employee retention bonus of $1,000 for the fiscal year 2025-26 budget during their meeting on Oct. 13. This decision comes as part of efforts to support staff amid ongoing budget constraints.

The recommendation for the bonus was made by Asheville City Schools (ACS) Superintendent Maggie Fehrman and Chief Financial Officer Heidi Kerns. The bonus is feasible due to a better-than-projected fiscal-year ending for the last fiscal year and a lower-than-anticipated impact on the fund balance for 2025-26.

Amid these budget considerations, it is essential to note that Asheville City Schools (ACS) did not qualify for state-funded teacher raises because of Buncombe County’s tax rate. Consequently, teacher compensation is expected to decrease by at least $826 for the fiscal budget of 2025-26. More than $840,000 will be allocated to fund the retention bonuses for all ACS staff.

In addition to the retention bonuses, health insurance premiums for most ACS employees will increase for the first time in seven years, beginning in January. The premium increases will vary based on plan and salary tiers, with coverage increases ranging from $10 to $140 per month.

During the meeting, Carrie Buchanan, executive director of Learning Pathways at William Randolph, and Sybil Jefferson, assistant principal, provided updates on alternative programming for middle and high school students. The Education and Career Academy (ECA) serves as a high school alternative program with 49 students currently enrolled, designed for flexible education experiences preparing students for life after graduation. The attendance in the ECA program is reportedly higher than last year, with around 90% of students attending regularly.

The Cougar Academy program aims to assist middle school students and is currently enrolling six students. This program focuses on hands-on learning experiences to facilitate reentry into Asheville Middle School. Given the positive advancements in attendance and support, there are requests to consider expanding the career and technical education program at ACS.

Additional requests made during the meeting include the need for an on-site nurse to accommodate the medical needs of students. As these programs continue to evolve, the ACS leadership remains committed to addressing both the immediate challenges and long-term strategies to enhance student success and staff satisfaction.

FAQ Section

What bonus has the Asheville City Board of Education approved?

The Asheville City Board of Education approved a one-time employee retention bonus of $1,000 for the fiscal year 2025-26 budget during their meeting on Oct. 13.

Why did Asheville City Schools not qualify for state-funded teacher raises?

Asheville City Schools (ACS) did not qualify for state-funded teacher raises because of Buncombe County’s tax rate.

How much will health insurance premiums increase for ACS employees?

Health insurance premiums for most ACS employees will increase for the first time in seven years, with coverage increases ranging from $10 to $140 per month.

What alternative programs are available for ACS students?

The Education and Career Academy (ECA) serves as a high school alternative program with 49 students currently enrolled, and the Cougar Academy is aimed at middle school students currently enrolling six students.

Key Features of the Article

Feature	Details
Employee Retention Bonus	$1,000 approved for fiscal year 2025-26
Total Funding for Bonuses	More than $840,000
Decrease in Teacher Compensation	Expected decrease by at least $826
Health Insurance Premium Increases	Ranging from $10 to $140 per month
Enrollment in Education and Career Academy	49 students
Enrollment in Cougar Academy	6 students
ECA Attendance Rate	Approximately 90%