Firm Leading Asheville City/Buncombe School Consolidation Study Says Public Input Vital

_{BY ED DIORIO – 16th August 2024}

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — As Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools prepare for the reopening of schools, a significant potential change is under discussion. The two districts are working hand in hand with Prismatic Services Inc., a Charlotte-based firm, to conduct a study on the possible consolidation of the two school districts.

Dr. Tatia Prieto, the founder of Prismatic Services Inc., engaged in a candid conversation regarding the ongoing study, which has been in the pipeline for approximately five months and is due to conclude in December this year.

Public Input: A Key Element

During the discussion, it became evident that there are several unknown elements connected to the consolidation process. When asked if she had any recommendations as of yet, Dr. Prieto responded, “No. A big piece of this work is ‘What do the people want?’ That’s a question we have to address in this study.”

The firm has collected extensive data across key areas including finances, enrollment, and staffing. To date, over 90 interviews have been carried out, with 34 school visits and six focus groups involving 55 participants. The next critical step in the study is to include the public voice in the discussion.

Public Engagement Sessions

Public engagement sessions for the study are due to begin on September 9. A major component of the project, these sessions are expected to contribute significantly towards the outcome of the study, with Prieto remarking on the capacity for public input to sway the overall direction of the study.

Prismatic Services will be conducting the public engagement sessions at different locations within all the seven total districts laying within ACS and BCS. The first session is less than a month away, lined up for Monday, September 9 at Owen Middle School, starting at 3:45 p.m.

Prieto encourages attendance from community members, explaining, “When you’re looking at big changes like that, whether the local population wants it and supports it, plays hugely into whether it’s successful.”

The Sessions Schedule:

• Monday, Sept. 9 – 3:45-6:30 p.m. – Owen Middle School
• Tuesday, Sept. 10 – 3:45-6:30 p.m. – East Asheville Library
• Thursday, Sept. 12 – 3:45-6:30 p.m. – Cane Creek Middle School
• Friday, Sept. 13 – 11:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m. – Weaverville Community Center
• Monday, Sept. 16 – 3:45-6:45 p.m. – Isaac Dickson Elementary School
• Tuesday, Sept. 17 – 3:30-6:30 p.m. – Erwin High School
• Wednesday, Sept. 18 – 5:30-8:30 p.m. – Enka Intermediate School
• Thursday, Sept. 19 – 3:45-6:30 p.m. – Hall Fletcher Elementary
• Friday, Sept. 20 – 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – Skyland/South Buncombe Library
• Monday, Sept. 23 – 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Online Forum

In conclusion, as Asheville City and Buncombe County schools brace for potential changes, public input becomes an invaluable resource to ensure that the necessary alterations resonate with the needs and wants of the local communities. Time will reveal what direction the possible school district consolidation might take, but for now, the stage is set for the public to voice their thoughts and contribute to the process.