Community Concerns Grow Over Proposed School Budget Cuts

Residents discussing school funding concerns at a community meeting

News Summary

At a recent Buncombe County Commissioner meeting, community members voiced their concerns regarding proposed budget cuts to Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools. The proposed allocations fall significantly short of requests, with potential cuts leading to staff reductions and diminished educational programs. Superintendent Maggie Fehrman criticized the county’s budget presentation, emphasizing the need for accurate representation of funding challenges. As a public hearing approaches, the stakes remain high for local education funding.

Asheville, North Carolina – Concerns over proposed budget cuts for school funding have emerged following a Buncombe County Commissioner meeting where residents expressed frustration over the allocation of funds for Asheville City Schools (ACS) and Buncombe County Schools (BCS) for the upcoming fiscal year.

The county’s proposed budget allocates $17.3 million to ACS, significantly lower than the $21 million requested by the school district. For BCS, the proposed budget offers $95.8 million, falling short of the $105 million request. The disparities in funding have raised alarms among community members about the potential long-term implications of such cuts.

Concerns shared by residents at the meeting included the anticipated elimination of 100 to 150 staff positions, which could severely impact essential services within the schools. Such cuts could hinder programs that support student learning, including vital reading groups highlighted by concerned parents.

Budget discussions have also sparked a grassroots response from the community, with citizens actively showing support for increased funding needs. This was symbolically demonstrated when residents donated coins during the meeting. Many believe that better financial support is vital for maintaining educational standards in the area.

ACS has already been affected by budget cuts, suffering a $4.7 million reduction to Asheville High School’s budget this fiscal year. The fear of additional funding cuts looms, exacerbated by the county’s decision to retract over $700,000 from ACS following revenue losses attributed to Tropical Storm Helene. Moreover, the proposed budget for ACS represents a $226,000 decrease compared to the initial budget figures for the 2024-25 year.

County Manager Pinder has not recommended an increase in the property tax rate for ACS’s supplemental taxing district, which had been proposed to generate an additional $1.5 million through a requested 13% increase. The overall impact of the proposed budget includes a 3.26-cent countywide property tax increase, translating to an additional cost of $130.40 annually for homeowners.

Superintendent of Schools Maggie Fehrman has publicly criticized the way the county has presented budget funding levels, arguing that the information does not accurately reflect the current funding challenges faced by schools. Alongside board members, she is advocating for clear communication and collaboration with commissioners to address the repercussions such funding reductions could have on roles that directly impact students.

Amidst these discussions, community members are gearing up for a public hearing, during which residents can voice their concerns further. The Buncombe County Commissioners are expected to vote on the proposed budget on June 3.

There are underlying issues regarding chronic underfunding from both local and state governments, which have further affected resources available for educational institutions. The ongoing debate over school funding cuts highlights a growing concern for families and advocates who recognize the importance of sufficient educational resources in fostering academic success.

As the budget decision date approaches, the stakes are high for both ACS and BCS, with potential layoffs and program cuts threatening to diminish the quality of education in Asheville and Buncombe County.