Buncombe County Schools Face Significant Budget Cuts

Classroom scene reflecting concerns over education budget cuts

News Summary

Buncombe County Schools may face budget cuts of $4.8 million in the proposed fiscal plan, raising concerns among educators and community members regarding its impact on education resources. The proposed allocations for Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools fall short of requested amounts, indicating potential job losses and larger class sizes. The funding crisis is partly attributed to chronic underfunding and inadequate local support. A public hearing is set for community input, while officials seek solutions like a property tax increase to address funding shortages.

Asheville – Buncombe County Schools (BCS) are facing potential budget cuts totaling $4.8 million in the proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, as presented by County Manager Avril Pinder. This proposal has raised significant concerns among educators, parents, and community members, as it threatens vital educational resources across local schools.

According to the financial proposal, Asheville City Schools (ACS) requested a budget of $36.4 million, while BCS sought over $105 million for the upcoming fiscal year. Pinder’s proposed budget allocates only $17.3 million for ACS and $95.8 million for BCS, resulting in an increase of merely $100,000 for ACS and $500,000 for BCS in comparison to the previous year’s funding. While these numbers may indicate an increase, they do not account for inflation and escalating operational costs that schools face each year.

The backdrop to these proposed budget cuts includes a major reduction of nearly $6 million taken from both ACS and BCS in January, a move attributed to the financial strains caused by Hurricane Helene. Although the proposed budget will not result in a loss of funding relative to last year, the lack of adjustment for rising costs poses a profound challenge for both districts.

The financial shortfall sets forth notable consequences. For ACS, there is a possibility of eliminating 2 to 5 teachers from each elementary, middle, and high school, alongside introducing unpaid days for instructional assistants and bus drivers. BCS faces potentially losing between 100 to 150 staff members across its 40 schools, which could lead to considerable reductions in programs and larger class sizes for students.

Both districts have attributed part of this funding crisis to chronic underfunding by the state and insufficient support from local sources. This struggle has prompted officials to campaign for a two-cent increase in property taxes, hoping to bridge the gap and address the substantial funding deficit. The call for additional support is urgent and officials plan to meet with the county commission to emphasize the necessity for sustained financial aid.

A public hearing is slated for May 20, providing an opportunity for community members to voice their concerns regarding the proposed budget. Previous meetings of the Asheville City Board of Education have already seen educators and students expressing worries about the adverse impact of cuts on the quality of education.

In response to the budget crisis, a petition has been circulated to advocate for full funding of the schools, demonstrating community solidarity. Public demonstrations have also taken place prior to county commission meetings, charting a path for educators urging greater involvement in budget decision-making processes.

Dr. Rob Jackson from BCS has indicated that these cuts could lead to the depletion of the district’s rainy-day fund, adding to the urgency of seeking financial support. Buncombe County commissioners, however, cited economic challenges, including the repercussions of Hurricane Helene, as contributing factors to the budget reductions affecting all departments, including education.

There remains a glimmer of hope as officials noted that if federal or state funding becomes available later in the fiscal year, there may be an opportunity to restore some of the lost funds to the school systems. Nonetheless, unless alternative funding emerges, immediate cuts are set to take effect.

To this point, over 700 members of the community have voiced their concerns by contacting county commission members, advocating actively against the proposed budget cuts. The unfolding fiscal situation raises critical questions about the future of education in Buncombe County and the impact on its students, educators, and broader community.