Asheville and Buncombe County Share Plans for Potential School District Consolidation
The potential merging of Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools is moving forward, with the next critical phase of the process seeking input from local community members.
Consolidation Study by Prismatic Services
Following a consolidation study launched in April, the focus will soon shift to garnering community perspectives and feedback. Prismatic Services, the Charlotte-based consultancy behind the study, has spent the better part of five months reviewing a broad array of aspects, including financial structures, curriculum, and staffing of the school districts.
The analysis has thus far involved inspecting over 200 diverse documents, conducting 100 interviews with key school personnel, and general data appraisal. The comprehensive data collection phase has provided the groundwork for the next major step: public consultation.
Public Consultation to Guide Decision-Making
“This consolidation study is incredibly different from the half dozen or more studies that have occurred,” stated District 3 Buncombe County Commissioner, Amanda Edwards. The uniqueness of the study lies in its openness to public input and community engagement. The hope is that direct interaction and value-based discussions with impacted community members will reveal new dimensions to the proposed consolidation.
Given that the decision will inevitably impact the surrounding neighborhoods, finances, staffing, and facilities, the intention of this public consultation is to elicit the thoughts and concerns of a broad scope of residents. The insights are expected to play a significant role in shaping the discussion around the possible merger.
Forthcoming Community Meetings and Online Forum
One of the major elements of this consultation phase will be community meetings. Conducted on a drop-in basis in neighborhoods around the schools, these are expected to give the public an opportunity to voice their views on the matter. For instance, a classic question during these meetings might revolve around important decision-making factors for potential mergers.
Alongside these physical meetings, an online forum designed for the same purpose will also be launched. This will provide a platform for those unable to attend the community meetings, offering them the same level of influence in the decision-making process.
Opening the Conversation to a Wider Public
Neither the county officials nor the public have been privy to the specific findings of the consolidation study so far. However, it is anticipated that the study will only bear accurate results with greater community participation.
“The impact of the consolidation study and results of it goes far beyond the impact to students and employees within the district,” says Amanda Edwards. In truth, even beyond the bounds of the schools themselves, the surrounding community and businesses are significantly influenced by these institutions and their capacity to produce qualified and trained graduates.
Advising maximal participation in these input sessions and online forums, the county tries to urge as many residents as possible to contribute their opinions for the potential merger of these school districts. This is a clear signal of the emphasis on local perspectives in the overall decision-making process.
The official schedule of these public consultation meetings has been released, with sessions set to begin on September 9th.
