🎯 Quick Hits

• Board approved nomination of George Sieburg to NC School Boards Association legislative committee
• Calendar committee will reconsider spring break alignment for 2026-27 after parent concerns
• District serving 640 special education students (16.7% of enrollment) but state only funds 13%, creating $783,000 shortfall
• Strategic plan launch set for April 13 work session with “You Can Get It All in Asheville City Schools” campaign
• Board recognized multiple achievements including EdTalks event, state championship Ultimate Frisbee team, and new infant/toddler classroom

📋 Meeting Opening & Procedural Items

▶ 04:28

Board Chair Sarah Thornburg called the meeting to order with all members present except Amy Ray who was ill. The board approved three agenda amendments: clarifying that policy 3000 would be discussion only, adding a nomination item for the NCSBA legislative committee, and moving board chair comments to the beginning of the meeting.

🗣️ Board Chair Updates

▶ 07:01

Chair Thornburg provided three key updates. The district calendar committee will revisit spring break alignment for 2026-27 at their March 16 meeting following community feedback. The Meet, Confer, Collaborate meeting was clarified to be March 11 (not the previous week as mistakenly stated). The board held a productive February 20 meeting with South French Broad High School alumni regarding a historical marker, with plans moving forward to acknowledge the school’s history.

🌟 Good News & Recognition

▶ 09:47

The district celebrated numerous achievements. The ACS Foundation’s EdTalks event featured the theme “Education is Freedom” with talks by Jerome Hughes, Jesse Pitts, Jessica Williams, and newly-minted Dr. Gabriel Alchuler. CFO Heidi Karns received recognition from the Southeastern Association of School Business Officials for exemplary leadership. Michelle Dang from Asheville High won a teacher travel scholarship to France. The district helped North Carolina set a U.S. record for CPR training with 548 participants across three schools. Lucy S. Herring Elementary officially opened its new infant and toddler classroom serving children 6-18 months old.

🏆 Student Achievement Spotlight

▶ 17:33

The Asheville Middle School Ultimate Frisbee varsity team won the state championship in Raleigh with an undefeated 6-0 record, marking the first time an Asheville team has won a tournament in the Triangle region. The JV team also showed promise with a 3-2 record in their first tournament. School social worker Abby Cobb was recognized as School Social Worker of the Year for her dedication to supporting families at Ira B. Jones and Claxton Elementary.

🗣️ Public Comment: Calendar Concerns

▶ 27:07

Two parents spoke about spring break alignment issues. Laura Gosnell, a BCS teacher with two ACS students, highlighted how misaligned breaks would mean her rising senior would have no spring break if taking AB-Tech classes. Sally Grohl emphasized the impact on families split between districts, noting the calendar committee didn’t have BCS dates when making their decision. Both requested reconsideration of the 2026-27 spring break dates to align with Buncombe County Schools and AB-Tech.

📋 Consent Agenda Approval

▶ 32:24

The board unanimously approved the consent agenda including February meeting minutes, the Danish exchange program, and three contracts: Capital Chevrolet for fleet vehicles, Trafera for Chromebooks, and Van Noie Construction for Hall Fletcher renovations using local capital funds. The personnel report for March was also approved.

📐 Policy 3000 Discussion

▶ 33:59

The board discussed revisions to Policy 3000 on first read. Board members suggested grammatical corrections and questioned language about English proficiency, proposing more expansive wording to include arts and foreign languages. The board agreed to let the superintendent refine the language, particularly around a bullet point about student proficiency that currently reads awkwardly. The policy will return for second read next month.

🗳️ NCSBA Legislative Committee Nomination

▶ 45:08

The board unanimously approved nominating George Sieburg to serve on the NC School Boards Association’s legislative committee as an at-large member. Sieburg noted the western region lacks representation on this committee and expressed willingness to serve, though selection is not guaranteed. His application is due March 27.

💰 EC Funding Crisis Presentation

▶ 47:32

Superintendent Fehrman presented sobering data on special education funding. The district serves 640 EC students (16.7% of enrollment) but state funding is capped at 13%, leaving 140 students unfunded. While the state provides $5,593 per EC student (effectively $5,136 when spread across all students), the district actually spends $13,400 per student. This creates a $783,000 shortfall that must be covered by local funds. The board will consider a resolution at their retreat advocating for changes to the EC funding formula.

📊 Strategic Plan Update

▶ 57:27

The strategic plan is nearing completion with an April 13 launch date. The campaign theme “You Can Get It All in Asheville City Schools” has received positive feedback. Twenty Student Advisory Council members participated in a vision-setting session, identifying five key elements for the district’s vision. Students will draft vision statements for board consideration at the March 19 retreat. A town hall presentation will follow the April launch.

🎯 Quick Hits

• Board approved moving forward with Hall Fletcher Elementary elevator project despite $887,000 cost, with plans to convert unused shaft space to storage for an additional $120,000
• Preliminary budget shows potential $1.2 million increase in local revenue but uncertainty around state funding and salary increases
• Board established new structure for MCC (Meet, Confer, Collaborate) meetings with Liza Kelly attending all meetings as consistent board representative
• Policy 3000 on educational programs needs language cleanup before first reading next week
• Discussion on technology purchases highlighted concerns about screen time for younger students while acknowledging logistical challenges of device sharing
• Courageous Conversations training continued with focus on establishing parameters for difficult discussions about race

🏗️ Hall Fletcher Elevator Project

▶ 00:00

The board discussed the Hall Fletcher Elementary elevator project, which has grown to an $887,000 cost. Jesse Warren questioned whether the additional $120,000 to convert the elevator shaft into storage was necessary given upcoming facility studies. The project team explained that completing the infill work now would be more cost-effective than returning later, and there were safety concerns about leaving an open vertical shaft in the building. Rebecca Strimer raised concerns about updating railings throughout the school to meet current safety codes, noting gaps that small children could slip through. The board seemed prepared to approve the project despite cost concerns.

💻 Technology Purchases and Screen Time

▶ 10:05

The board discussed purchasing student devices earlier than usual to avoid anticipated price increases due to AI chip manufacturing shifts. Rebecca Strimer and Amy Ray questioned whether the district had considered reducing technology use in lower grades, both for cost savings and educational effectiveness. Staff indicated that kindergarten and first-grade teachers actually prefer one-to-one devices due to logistical challenges of sharing, though board members expressed interest in researching the educational impact of screen-based learning for young students.

🗣️ Courageous Conversations Training

▶ 17:49

The board continued their equity training on Courageous Conversations, focusing on the fourth condition about establishing parameters and agreements for difficult discussions. Using a scenario about a teacher who blamed Black students for sleeping in class, board members practiced how to approach such conversations. Jesse Warren emphasized looking at successful Black students and teachers, while Rebecca Strimer focused on approaching with curiosity about underlying beliefs. The training emphasized creating “brave spaces” rather than safe spaces for these discussions.

💰 Preliminary Budget Outlook

▶ 48:01

CFO Heidi Karns presented the preliminary budget, showing approximately $1.2 million in projected local revenue increases but only about $150,000 decrease in state funding due to slight enrollment decline. Major unknowns include potential state salary increases (scenarios of 5-10% were modeled) and benefit cost increases. The board discussed the importance of maintaining the 11-cent supplemental tax rate, which generates about $300,000 annually and helps stabilize funding. George Sieburg asked about the district’s progress toward a living wage floor, currently at $24.10/hour, with many staff still below that threshold.

📋 Policy 3000 Revisions

▶ 1:20:00

The board reviewed Policy 3000 on educational programs, which includes the district’s Portrait of a Scholar. Board members identified several language issues needing correction, including unclear use of “disciplinary” (meant as cross-disciplinary), lack of parallel sentence structure, and the casual use of “like” in describing student belonging. The board requested Dr. Fehrman clean up the language and provide both marked-up and clean versions before the first reading next week.

🤝 MCC Meeting Structure

▶ 1:28:13

Following requests from ACS staff, the board agreed to have Liza Kelly attend all MCC meetings as a consistent board representative, with other board members rotating through the remaining two spots. Kelly will compile notes and feedback to share with the board and superintendent. Amy Ray expressed concerns about the board potentially micromanaging through increased observation, but other members felt the support was needed during this “fledgling” process. The structure is seen as temporary while the MCC process establishes its norms.

🎯 Quick Hits

• Funding Formula Approved: Board unanimously approved the inter-county funding agreement with Buncombe County and BCS, ensuring Article 39 funding resumes next year ▶ 21:11
• Spring Break Calendar Stays: Board voted 5-2 to keep the 2026-27 spring break as originally scheduled, not aligning with Buncombe County Schools ▶ 59:32
• Discipline Data Concerns: Public comment highlighted that 81% of suspensions are students of color (who make up only 37% of enrollment), with Black students at 60% of suspensions despite being 18% of population ▶ 16:08
• Strategic Planning Progress: Survey shows top priorities are addressing academic outcomes, racial achievement gaps, and discipline disparities; full plan presentation coming in April ▶ 1:10:07

🌟 Recognition and Celebrations

▶ 1:26

The board honored school counselors during School Counselor Appreciation Week. Brandon Smith from SILSA was named District Counselor of the Year, with Dr. Gibbs noting Smith was one of only three staff members when the school year began.

Ken Walker, PE teacher at Hall Fletcher Elementary, was recognized as Mountain Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for his volleyball coaching at Asheville Middle School.

Two seventh-graders from Asheville Middle School, Silas Davidson and Riley Toby, received Bell Scholarships worth up to $20,000 each for college - a rare achievement for middle school students.

Hall Fletcher and Ira B. Jones Elementary schools secured USDA Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Program grants to provide free produce snacks during the school day.

🗣️ Public Comment

▶ 15:08

Chris Gordon, retired ACS employee, presented concerning discipline data showing severe racial disparities. He noted that three elementary schools account for 80% of elementary suspensions, while one school had zero suspensions. Board member George Sieburg called for a pause to acknowledge the harm these statistics represent to Black students, suggesting the board needs to address repair strategies moving forward.

🗳️ Funding Formula Decision

▶ 21:11

After extensive discussion at previous meetings, the board unanimously approved the inter-county funding agreement that establishes how Buncombe County distributes local education funding between ACS and BCS. The formula guarantees ACS will receive 37.76% of designated county education revenues and confirms Article 39 funding will resume for the 2026-27 school year. Board members emphasized this doesn’t end advocacy efforts for additional funding, with plans to revisit funding needs during June’s work session after strategic planning is complete.

📐 Calendar Controversy

▶ 35:39

The board debated whether to change the already-approved 2026-27 spring break to align with Buncombe County Schools and AB Tech. A survey of 632 respondents showed 31% found non-alignment disruptive, while 54% were neutral. Transportation concerns were raised about mechanic availability during different break weeks.

The vote to change the calendar failed 2-5, with a subsequent motion to maintain the current calendar passing 5-2. Board members who supported keeping the original calendar cited respect for the calendar committee’s work and the benefits of multi-year planning, while those favoring change pointed to childcare challenges for educators working in different districts.

📋 Policy and Strategic Planning Updates

▶ 59:58

Dr. Fehrman presented survey results from the Educator Advisory Committee on proposed updates to Policy 3000 (Goals and Objectives of Educational Program), showing 95-100% agreement with new language emphasizing student belonging, diverse perspectives, and critical thinking.

Strategic planning survey results from 459 respondents identified top priorities:

• Student outcomes: Addressing overall academic performance and racial achievement gaps
• Employees: Ensuring all staff earn a living wage (strongest consensus of all items)
• Culture: Building trust between district leadership, staff, students and families
• Curriculum: Offering rigorous, engaging instruction that prepares students for their future

Action planning teams are conducting targeted focus groups to ensure marginalized voices are included before the April board presentation.

💼 Board Chair Updates

▶ 1:23:05

Chair Thornburg reported on several initiatives:

• Progress on the South French Broad High School memorial marker, with eighth-grade history students at Asheville Middle planning an expedition to study the school’s history
• Jesse Warren received a community service award during MLK weekend for his dedication to young people
• Meeting with Commissioner Al Whitesides to share discipline and academic data, with commitment to provide regular updates
• Ongoing collaboration with Buncombe County Schools on joint advocacy efforts

🎯 Quick Hits

• Board reviewed comprehensive facility assessment findings showing most buildings in “fair” condition (rating of 3), with interior upgrades being the primary need across the district
• Board will survey staff and families about potentially changing the 2026-27 spring break to align with Buncombe County Schools
• Proposed county funding formula (37.76% of gross revenue) moves toward final vote next week, with board members expressing cautious optimism about trying the new approach
• Budget amendments, two policies on second read, and four contracts exceeding $90,000 will appear on next week’s consent agenda
• Board discussed the ongoing need to advocate for adequate school funding at state level, regardless of county funding agreement

🎯 Courageous Conversations Training

▶ 3:22

Superintendent Dr. Maggie Fehrman led the board through the third condition of courageous conversations: normalizing social construction and multiple perspectives. Using a workplace scenario about a colleague’s promotion and comments about “diversity hiring,” board members practiced applying the framework. Responses varied, with some suggesting direct confrontation while others preferred private conversations to address potential harm. The exercise emphasized understanding how different lived experiences shape perspectives on the same situation.

🏫 Facility Assessment Results

▶ 22:13

McMillan Pazos Smith presented findings from their comprehensive assessment of all 10 ACS campuses. The district overall received a rating of 3 (fair condition), with only 3% of issues rated as critical (1) and 24% nearing end of life cycle (2). Interior upgrades represent 46% of identified issues, which are typically the simplest and most aesthetic improvements. Board member George Sieburg commended April Dockery and the maintenance team for keeping aging facilities in relatively good condition despite years of deferred maintenance.

📅 Spring Break Calendar Discussion

▶ 52:12

A parent’s concern about ACS spring break not aligning with Buncombe County Schools prompted board discussion. Board member Pepi Acebo noted the historical importance of alignment for staff with children in the other district. The board’s calendar committee had surveyed stakeholders, with 43.2% preferring March 29-April 2 (the current choice), while only 25.7% preferred aligning with BCS. Jesse Warren suggested conducting another survey of staff and families before making any changes. Board Chair Sarah Thornburg agreed to reach out to BCS Board Chair Rob Elliott about the misalignment.

💰 County Funding Formula Agreement

▶ 69:22

The board discussed the proposed funding agreement that would allocate 37.76% of county gross revenue to schools. CFO Heidi Karns expressed cautious optimism that post-Helene revenues would still result in increased funding. Board members debated whether approving the formula would limit their ability to advocate for additional needs. Rebecca Strimer emphasized that while the formula provides stability, it doesn’t solve state underfunding issues. George Sieburg supported the agreement, noting it could create opportunities for more transparent reporting to county commissioners about ongoing needs. The agreement includes annual review provisions by December 31st.

📋 Consent Agenda Items

▶ 69:48

Budget amendments for the current fiscal year were presented with a new cover sheet summarizing changes by fund. Two policies on second read will move forward: one on teleworking (developed through the Meet, Confer, Collaborate committee) and another unspecified policy. Four contracts exceeding $90,000 were reviewed, including a chiller replacement for the CTE building at Asheville High School. Board attorney Anna Clifton noted she had reviewed two contracts but would need to review the Tao Technology and Trafera agreements post-approval.

🎯 Quick Hits

• Board approved consent agenda including student transfers, meeting minutes, 2026-27 board calendar, revised district calendar, and multiple policies on second reading
• District secured over $2.3 million in grants, with $875,695 available this fiscal year for programs including EPIC internships, new preschool classrooms, and afterschool programs
• Board discussed proposed funding formula that would guarantee 37.76% of county’s gross revenue, with no vote taken until February meeting
• Open enrollment for 2026-27 school year is underway with “You Can Get It All in Asheville City Schools” campaign
• Meet, Confer, Collaborate (MCC) committee has successfully implemented telework and inclement weather policies in first three meetings

🌟 Good News and Recognition

▶ 1:41

The board recognized January as School Board Appreciation Month. Student Services team was celebrated for delivering 700 turkeys at Thanksgiving and supporting over 700 families through the Holiday Dream Project in December. Alumni spotlight featured Melissa Henderson McDonald, a 2005 Asheville High graduate now serving as director of services for the North Carolina Community Schools Coalition.

💰 Grant Success

▶ 5:38

Asheville City Schools secured $2.3 million in total grant funding, with $875,695 available in the current fiscal year. Major awards include funding for the EPIC paid internship program, two new preschool classrooms, expanded garden-to-table programming through Feast partnership, and nearly $500,000 from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant for no-cost afterschool and summer programs. Additional STEAM and robotics initiatives will launch this semester at Hall Fletcher, Asheville Middle School, and Lucy Herring.

🗣️ Public Comment

▶ 8:55

Four speakers addressed the board. Katie Williams and Gwen Hartman from ACAE invited board members to attend MCC meetings, highlighting successful implementation of inclement weather, hazard pay, and work-from-home policies. April Wilson from Families of Asheville City Schools (FAX) announced two upcoming events: a kindergarten information event on January 24th and a community advocacy event on February 12th. Christina Shimrock raised concerns about whether the proposed funding formula returns schools to pre-Helene funding levels and questioned if it limits advocacy opportunities.

📋 Consent Agenda Approval

▶ 23:12

The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included student releases to Buncombe County Schools, draft minutes from multiple December meetings, the 2026-27 board meeting calendar, a revised district calendar accounting for voting location changes, two contracts, and several policies on second reading.

💵 Funding Formula Discussion

▶ 24:22

The board engaged in extensive discussion of a proposed funding formula that would guarantee Asheville City Schools 37.76% of the county’s gross revenue from property taxes, vehicle taxes, and certain sales taxes. CFO Heidi Karns explained this represents a slight increase from the current 37.18% and would provide more predictable funding by basing budgets on actual collections from the prior year rather than projections. The formula includes provisions for adjustments if enrollment changes by 2% or more across both school districts and allows emergency funding requests. Board members raised questions about inflation adjustments, the impact of property tax rate changes, and whether the agreement limits future advocacy. No vote was taken; the board will revisit in February after additional public input.

📊 Superintendent’s Report

▶ 1:41:52

Dr. Fehrman updated the board on progress toward her two annual goals. For leadership development, she’s implementing the Lippitt-Knoster model for leading complex change and conducting a book study on adaptive leadership with principals. For transparency, she’s ensuring Educator Advisory Council members report at all staff meetings, creating a stakeholder engagement matrix for strategic planning, and scheduling visits to PTO meetings, staff meetings, and neighborhood gatherings. Strategic planning continues with action teams finalizing objectives and initiatives, with a draft plan expected for board review in April and potential approval in May.

🗳️ Board Chair Report

▶ 1:52:01

Chair Thornburg reported meeting with representatives from FAX and ACAE alongside Vice-Chair Strimer, maintaining regular communication with Buncombe County Schools and County Commission chairs, and planning to meet with the Stephens-Lee Alumni Association about the middle school plaque. She reminded board members that only three can attend MCC meetings at a time due to open meeting laws and asked members to coordinate attendance.

🎯 Quick Hits

• Board established three core values to guide decision-making: Integrity, Collaboration, and Inclusivity ▶ 47:00
• September 2026 board calendar adjusted: work session moved to August 31st, with multiple meetings planned for evaluation process ▶ 2:49:00
• School calendar modified to make November 3rd (Election Day) an optional workday for staff, with no students in buildings ▶ 3:08:00
• New grading policy for K-2 students expands from 3-point to 4-point scale based on teacher feedback ▶ 3:19:00
• Teleworking policy approved through Meet, Confer, Collaborate process — marking successful collaboration between board and staff ▶ 3:27:00

🎯 Core Values Workshop

▶ 2:15

The board spent nearly two hours with facilitator Kathleen working to identify core values that will guide their decision-making. After extensive discussion and voting, they settled on three primary values:

Integrity - Defined as making decisions in a respectful and transparent way, acknowledging mistakes and working to repair harm, supporting the achievement of vision and mission, and honoring collective decisions.

Collaboration - Characterized by seeking multiple perspectives, distilling options to possible solutions, and finding wisdom in each voice.

Inclusivity - Demonstrated through recognizing and considering all voices, creating welcoming environments, and ensuring diverse perspectives are heard.

Board members debated several other values including belonging, creativity, purpose, and joy, ultimately deciding these concepts were either encompassed within the three core values or better suited as outcomes rather than guiding principles.

📅 September Board Calendar Adjustments

▶ 2:49:00

The board wrestled with scheduling challenges for September 2026, particularly around the superintendent evaluation process. Rebecca Strimer explained the need for better timing alignment between receiving student achievement data and conducting Dr. Fehrman’s evaluation.

The solution: Move the September work session to August 31st (taking advantage of five Mondays in August), skip meetings the week of September 7th, hold the regular board meeting September 14th, conduct a half-day retreat September 22nd (shifted to Tuesday afternoon to accommodate board member schedules), and potentially add a closed session September 24th for evaluation consensus scoring.

This compressed schedule aims to complete the evaluation process before the October meetings when contract decisions must be finalized.

🗳️ Election Day School Calendar Change

▶ 3:08:00

In response to requests to use additional school facilities as polling locations, the board discussed making November 3rd (Election Day) a day without students in buildings. The solution involves switching an optional workday from October 26th to November 3rd.

Dr. Fehrman noted this change would affect grading timelines slightly but was the least disruptive option compared to adding makeup days or building in additional hours elsewhere. Board members confirmed this has been standard practice during presidential elections.

📊 K-2 Grading Policy Update

▶ 3:19:00

The board reviewed changes to grading policy 3400, which expands kindergarten through second grade assessment from a 3-point to a 4-point scale. Dr. Fehrman explained this change came directly from teacher input requesting more gradation in how to assign grades for young learners.

Board member Pepi Acebo asked about accommodations for students with developmental delays. Dr. Fehrman clarified that students with IEPs or 504 plans receive accommodations to level the playing field, and grading remains standards-based rather than effort-based. The board also confirmed that students cannot be failed solely for attendance issues.

🏢 Teleworking Policy Success

▶ 3:27:00

Board member Amy Ray acknowledged the significance of policy 7503 (teleworking) coming through the Meet, Confer, Collaborate process smoothly. She noted it represents successful collaboration between the board and staff, calling it “fairly momentous” that such policies can now move through the approval process without controversy.

The policy appears on the consent agenda for first reading, demonstrating the improved working relationship between various stakeholder groups in the district.

🎯 Quick Hits

• Board approved two Meet, Confer, Collaborate agreements: staff can telework on inclement weather days and optional workdays (September-May)
• Strategic planning on track for April/May approval with four focus areas: student outcomes, staff, culture/climate, and facilities/operations
• Public comment raised concerns about new state law requiring searchable catalogs of all library books and allowing parents to restrict their child’s access
• Board members shared insights from NC School Board Association conference, emphasizing strategic planning success stories and teacher impact on student achievement
• Funding formula discussions continue with county commissioners; vote expected in January
• Three items removed from consent agenda for separate votes due to board member concerns about meeting minutes accuracy

🌟 Good News

▶ 02:30

Multiple achievements were celebrated across the district. Asheville High School’s Wind Symphony performed at the NC Music Educators Convention for the first time since 1999, featuring alumnus Charlie Vernon from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Asheville Middle School’s community night drew strong attendance, and the school unveiled its new teacher lounge “Zen Den” complete with massage chairs and amenities funded by United Way.

SILSA student Sophie Alexander was named Western NC Runner of the Year and competed in nationals. Asheville High student Jay Wilson won the Omni Grove Park Inn’s National Gingerbread House competition with “Santa’s Game Night,” continuing a tradition that began in kindergarten at Isaac Dickson Elementary.

🗣️ Public Comment

▶ 08:52

Two speakers addressed the board during public comment. Jasmine Eshkar, a fourth-grade teacher at Isaac Dickson Elementary, argued that NC Session Law 2024-84 requiring public access to library book catalogs violates students’ First Amendment rights to read and receive information. She cited Supreme Court cases including Tinker v. Des Moines and Board of Education v. Pico, stating the law appears designed to prevent students from learning about transgender people. She urged the board to consider legal action against the state.

Carson Bridges, Claxton first-grade teacher and president of the Asheville City Association of Educators, raised concerns about the proposed percentage-based funding model. He questioned why education funding would be based on received versus projected revenue when other county departments use projections. He also expressed worry about potential county tax rate decreases affecting school funding and noted that the proposed $2 million increase wouldn’t restore pre-Helene funding levels.

📋 Consent Agenda & Separated Items

▶ 16:04

The board approved the consent agenda containing closed session minutes from October 6 and November 3, budget expenditure reports, and the December personnel report. Three items were removed for separate discussion at board member Pepi Acebo’s request.

November 3 Work Session Minutes ▶ 16:57: Acebo objected to language about board information requests, arguing the minutes cherry-picked discussion points and could tie the superintendent’s hands on compliance issues. The board voted to approve with Acebo dissenting.

November 10 Regular Meeting Minutes ▶ 28:03: Acebo disputed the statement that the superintendent’s contract extension included “no overall changes to the compensation package,” noting a no-cause buyout clause was added. Board Chair Thornburg clarified that buyout provisions aren’t considered compensation. The board approved with Acebo dissenting.

AMS Field Trip Contract ▶ 31:13: After brief discussion about redacting social security and EIN numbers from contracts, the board unanimously approved the Young Transportation contract for an Asheville Middle School field trip.

👩‍💼 Superintendent’s Report

▶ 34:36

Dr. Fehrman reported successful Meet, Confer, Collaborate negotiations resulting in two agreements benefiting staff. All eligible staff can now telework on inclement weather days, though critical operations staff may be called in with hazard pay. Staff can also telework on optional workdays from September through May. Safety remains paramount - no one is required to drive in unsafe conditions.

The strategic planning process has completed its SWOT analysis phase, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats across four focus areas. Leadership teams are prioritizing initiatives and will present a strategy map to the board in April. The timeline allows for board feedback and revisions, with final approval targeted for May 2025. Teams are also inventorying current initiatives to identify what to keep, modify, or discontinue.

🎓 Board Conference Takeaways

▶ 48:28

Board members who attended the NC School Board Association conference shared key learnings. Chair Thornburg highlighted First Amendment implications for board members’ social media accounts and was impressed by strategic planning success stories from Orange and Martin counties.

Acebo noted the value of hearing diverse political perspectives from boards statewide and gathered information about superintendent contract structures. Warren emphasized the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team’s leadership lessons about collective purpose over individual gain.

Kelly was moved by keynote speaker Dr. Hajj’s story about a teacher who changed his trajectory by believing in him. Ray discussed presenting on Meet, Confer, Collaborate and learning about Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s student outcomes focused governance framework.

Sieburg highlighted North Carolina’s ranking as 50th nationally in school funding relative to GDP despite being among the 10 wealthiest states, and praised the state’s new strategic plan for working within political realities.

🎯 Quick Hits

• 🎯 Board practiced “isolating race” as part of ongoing Courageous Conversations training, examining how race impacts policies and outcomes
• 💰 County proposes new funding formula: 37.76% of property and sales tax revenue would go to education, providing more predictable budgeting
• 📊 Formula includes automatic adjustments - for every 2% change in enrollment, funding percentage adjusts by 0.5%
• 🎓 Mission statement feedback showed strong preference for longer version emphasizing equity, trust, joy, and inquiry
• 📱 Board rejected new social media restrictions that would have prohibited board members from mentioning school names/logos
• 🚌 Approved $135,450 contract for Asheville Middle School’s DC trip, covering 90% of 8th graders with fundraising for those who need assistance

🗣️ Courageous Conversations: Isolating Race

▶ 02:33

Dr. Fehrman led the board through the second condition of Courageous Conversations - “isolating race.” The exercise used vintage advertisements to demonstrate how racial stereotypes persist in media. Board members examined a Volkswagen ad depicting black and white cars labeled “naughty” and “nice,” along with images including a Vogue cover featuring LeBron James in a pose reminiscent of King Kong imagery.

Jesse Warren shared his personal experience as one of few Black men regularly attending board meetings, noting the isolation he feels. George Sieburg expressed discomfort with the term “equity” in the mission statement, feeling it has become hollow. Rebecca Strimer emphasized the importance of not using other diversity factors to minimize racial impacts.

📋 Mission Statement Feedback

▶ 58:11

The board reviewed survey results from 125 respondents on draft mission statements. The second option received the most support: “We commit to equity; we foster communities of trust, joy, and inquiry; we build meaningful relationships; we develop creative, confident learners able to think critically and contribute to a better world.”

While acknowledging it’s lengthy for a mission statement, Jesse Warren defended it as using accessible language that students and families can understand. The board agreed to keep this version for now while continuing work on vision statements and core values in March.

💵 County Funding Formula Proposal

▶ 1:16:40

The county proposed a new interlocal agreement for school funding that would allocate 37.76% of property and sales tax revenue to education. This would provide approximately $119 million total, with Asheville City Schools receiving about 15% based on student enrollment.

Key features include looking backward at actual collected revenue rather than forward projections, automatic growth as the tax base expands, and reviews every two years after an initial three-year term. Dr. Fehrman and board members expressed support for the predictability this would provide for budgeting and planning.

📑 Policy Updates

▶ 2:27:46

Multiple policies came forward for first read, primarily updates from state requirements. Notable discussions included:

• Policy 3400 on grading: Elementary schools moving from 3-point to 4-point scale
• Policy 4120: Increased flexibility for military families during enrollment
• Policy 3220: Removed requirement for individual agreements for “bring your own technology”

The board will vote on these policies at second read in January, except policy 2127 which was withdrawn due to board opposition to the proposed changes.

📱 Social Media Policy Debate

▶ 2:31:34

The board discussed policy 2127 regarding board member social media use. The NC School Boards Association recommended adding language prohibiting board members from using school names, logos, or trademarks on personal social media.

Amy Ray questioned whether this would prevent helpful community information sharing, like advertising school events. The board’s attorney noted the existing policy already requires board members to clarify they speak as individuals, not for the board. Six of seven board members present opposed the restrictive new language.

🚌 Middle School DC Trip Contract

▶ 2:51:00

The board reviewed a $135,450 contract with Young’s Transportation for the annual 8th grade trip to Washington DC and Greensboro. The all-inclusive price of $602 per student covers transportation, hotels, meals, museum tickets, and tour guides.

Principal Johnson confirmed 225 students (90% of 8th graders) typically participate. The school fundraises $15,000-25,000 annually to ensure all students can attend regardless of ability to pay. The board agreed to place the contract on the consent agenda for approval.