News Summary
Asheville City Schools is facing significant budget cuts as Buncombe County’s proposed funding falls short. The board has approved a no-cuts budget of $21.8 million, but the county can only offer $17 million. This financial shortfall may result in staff reductions and cuts to essential programs. ACS is pushing for a supplemental tax rate to address the deficit, amidst community concerns about the impact on educational quality. A public hearing is scheduled, and further budgetary decisions are expected soon.
Asheville Faces Potential Cuts in Schools Funding
Asheville City Schools (ACS) is bracing for potential budget cuts as the final count of the Buncombe County budget looms near. With the county’s proposed funding falling short, the school district may face significant financial challenges, impacting personnel and essential programs.
The ACS Board of Education recently approved a “no-cuts” budget of $21.8 million, crafted in April and subsequently presented to the Buncombe County Commission by Superintendent Dr. Maggie Fehrman in May. The Superintendent emphasized the Board’s commitment to avoiding cuts to personnel, especially in light of uncertain local and federal funding. However, the Buncombe County Budget Department proposed only $17 million in funding for ACS, which raises serious concerns about meeting the district’s financial needs.
The constraints on Buncombe County’s budget stem from existing revenue limitations, meaning that the county cannot adequately fill the gaps left by state or federal funding shortfalls. ACS plans to tap into $3 million from its fund balance to manage rising costs, yet this approach still anticipates a troubling shortfall of nearly $4 million for the approved budget.
Community Efforts to Address Budget Shortfall
To combat this financial deficit, ACS has initiated the “Need Our Two Cents” campaign, aimed at reinstating the supplemental tax rate to 12 cents per $100 of property value. This adjustment could potentially generate an additional $1.5-1.7 million in revenue, providing vital support for the school district.
In light of previous budget constraints that resulted in the loss of 11 positions and a 10-15% reduction in non-personnel budgets, significant cuts could once again be on the table if funding does not improve. Potential actions include reductions in central office staffing, and the elimination of key programs in music, arts, and AVID designed to enhance student education.
Impending Decisions and Public Engagement
The Buncombe County budget is set to be finalized on June 3, with crucial budgetary decisions expected to unfold by the end of June. A public hearing discussing the budget proposal is scheduled for May 20, offering community members a chance to voice their concerns.
In the lead-up to the budget decision, there have been criticisms regarding the county manager’s presentation of the budget. It has been asserted that the figures misrepresented educational funding levels and disproportionately targeted ACS for budget cuts. The proposed budget provides ACS with merely $100,000 more than the previous year, while Buncombe County Schools received $500,000 more, raising questions about adequacy in relation to rising costs and inflation.
Impacts on Students and Educational Quality
The financial situation has sparked considerable anxiety among educators and students. During a recent board meeting, individuals expressed concerns about the negative implications cuts could have on educational quality and available programs. To demonstrate their commitment to fully funding the school budget and protecting staff and services, a petition is circulating among community members pushing for immediate action.
Ongoing advocacy efforts are also in play, with calls to increase the special ACS supplemental tax rate to help mitigate the budget deficit. However, the county manager did not recommend any increase in property tax rates for the supplemental taxing district as requested by the school district.
Staff and family members in the community are worried that without sufficient funding, cuts could ripple through the district, leading to staff reductions and the loss of cherished educational programs. Board members have expressed frustrations regarding a perceived lack of collaboration with county commissioners throughout the budgeting process.
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Additional Resources
- WLOS: Asheville City Schools Budget Cuts
- Mountain X: Asheville School Board Frustrated
- Fox Carolina: Educators Concerned with Budget Cuts
- WLOS: County Budget Proposal Jeopardizes Schools
- Google Search: Asheville City Schools budget cuts
