Asheville Faces Significant Budget Cuts Affecting Schools

News Summary

Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools are set to experience substantial budget cuts, totaling $4.8 million. These reductions are part of a broader $17.6 million cut amid rising financial challenges, including a projected revenue decline of up to $25 million. The community expresses outrage as educators and students prepare for increased class sizes and loss of essential staff. Local leaders emphasize the urgent need for external support and legislative action to alleviate these financial burdens before the next fiscal year.

Asheville Faces Budget Cuts: Schools Struggle Amid Rising Financial Challenges

In Asheville, the storm clouds of financial uncertainty are looming as Asheville City Schools (ACS) and Buncombe County Schools (BCS) brace for a substantial budget cut. The Buncombe County Commissioners have made the tough decision to reduce funding by 4%, translating to a staggering $4.8 million cut. This news has sent waves of concern rippling through the community, as educators, parents, and students face a bleak mid-year budget adjustment.

Cuts that Hit Hard

For Asheville City Schools, this cut means a loss of $718,000, while Buncombe County Schools will bear the brunt of a whopping $3.97 million reduction. This 4% slice from the budget is essentially a 10.4% reduction over the last five months of the fiscal year, a hefty hit that Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson highlights as a significant concern for the schools.

The Bigger Picture: County’s Financial Struggles

Buncombe County is not alone in its struggles. A projected downhill slide in revenue between $15 million to $25 million has forced the county to make drastic cost-cutting measures totaling $17.6 million. Some eye-opening stats reveal that, as of November 2024, more than 10,000 residents in Buncombe find themselves unemployed. Additionally, occupancy tax revenue has plummeted by nearly $6 million compared to last year, while sales tax revenue is down by another $1 million.

Challenges in the County’s Operations

In response to these challenges, Buncombe County has implemented a hiring freeze—keeping it strict except for emergency 911 staff—and reduced capacities in animal shelters. Deferred maintenance has also been on the agenda, indicating tough times lie ahead for various county services. For the first time in over two decades, Buncombe County is dipping into its reserves to manage budget cuts, raising serious concerns about the long-term implications of such actions.

Impacts of Using Reserve Funds

The potential consequences of depleting reserves don’t go unnoticed. Buncombe County Commissioner Drew Ball has voiced concerns that this could jeopardize the county’s bond rating, ultimately threatening funding for essential services like local schools and parks. Dr. Rob Jackson echoed these worries, emphasizing that relying on reserves is no long-term fix for BCS.

The Need for External Support

As discussions about financial shortfalls continue, Rep. Lindsey Prather highlighted the urgent need for federal and state funding to help alleviate these financial burdens. While there is over a billion dollars in federal funding expected to flow into counties in Western North Carolina, much of it has yet to make its way to local communities.

Political Action on the Horizon

The North Carolina General Assembly has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars for Helene relief, but the awaited influx of resources depends on legislative action, which is expected to resume on January 29. Many hope that the impending legislative session will bring timely support before the next fiscal year’s budget is finalized.

Community Response: Outrage and Protest

Meanwhile, the community’s response has been loud and clear. At a recent commissioners’ meeting, educators, parents, and concerned citizens gathered to voice their outrage over the drastic cuts. School officials have pointed out the negative repercussions this will have on students, including increased class sizes and the loss of essential staff like bus drivers. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners ultimately voted 5-2 in favor of the cuts after considerable public commentary.

Additional Budget Adjustments

In addition to the school cuts, amendments to reduce several other funds were passed, including $921,342 from general fund transfers and $325,000 from the reappraisal fund. On a brighter note, the commissioners did approve a distribution of $624,000 for the Community Development Block Grant funds targeting the Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant program and secured a $500,000 grant for much-needed enhancements at the Buncombe County Sports Park.

As Asheville tries to navigate these choppy waters, the hope remains that support will arrive and brighter days are ahead for its schools and the community at large.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Buncombe County Schools Face $4.8 Million Budget Cuts
Buncombe County Schools Face Significant Budget Cuts
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Buncombe County Faces Tough Times Ahead
Budget Cuts Loom Over Asheville’s Schools
Buncombe County Leaders Discuss School Consolidation Plans
Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools Explore Merger
Asheville Community Faces Lawsuit Against Christian Academy
UNC Asheville and UNC Greensboro Face Budget Cuts
Asheville Homeowners Confront Challenges of Rising Property Taxes Amid Surging Property Values

Additional Resources

• WLOS: Budget Cuts Asheville Buncombe Schools
• WLOS: Buncombe County Cuts Budget Sparking Community Protest
• WLOS: Question Dealing with Buncombe County Financial Shortfall
• Wikipedia: Asheville
• Google Search: Asheville schools budget cuts

Author: HERE Asheville