Former Asheville school to become operations office, disposal of items questioned
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (HERE NEWS) —
The former Asheville Primary School building used to be full of life and purpose. “It was a vibrant, thriving community of pre-school and elementary schoolers,” West Asheville resident Sophie Mullinax said. “My daughter was one of them.” After its closure a couple years ago, many wondered what would come of the building. Now, plans are in place for the structure to be used again. Last week, Asheville City Schools was granted its acceptance of occupancy to move its operations offices into the building.
Concerns Over Disposal of Items
However, ACS was removing materials from the rooms where the offices will go in March. “It felt out of the blue that they were clearing out classrooms,” Mullinax said. “It was very clear that they were, basically, throwing out classroom materials like desks, chairs and such.” That caused some to wonder why the district was disposing of the usable items.
Asheville City Schools Statement
Asheville City Schools issued the following statement: As Asheville City Schools continue to prioritize effective resource management and operational efficiency, we are relocating our Transportation Department to 441 Haywood Road. This decision aligns with our ongoing commitment to decrease operational costs while maintaining the high level of service our community expects and deserves. The move to 441 Haywood Road was accompanied by a thoughtful process of repurposing the facility, which previously served as storage space following the closure of Asheville Primary. Part of this process involved meticulous organization and cleanup effort to meet the requirements for obtaining the transportation office’s Certificate of Occupancy issued by Buncombe County Permits and Inspections. Led by our Director of Maintenance, Tim Shelton, and our Preschool Director, Susanna Smith, and in collaboration with our pre-K teachers, we ensured a responsible transition that prioritizes safety and utility. During this process, we acknowledged the presence of recyclable paper and other unusable products that, for reasons unclear, were not disposed of immediately after the school’s closure. This oversight has prompted us to reevaluate our procedures to ensure that all materials are managed efficiently and responsibly moving forward. Our team diligently worked to assess the materials and resources within the building. Items that no longer met our safety standards or were beyond repair, such as damaged toys, chairs with mold, and unusable classroom supplies like dried-up glue, paint, and Play-Doh, were responsibly discarded. This careful selection process guarantees that only safe, functional, and necessary items remain within our educational spaces. To comply with the requirements for the Certificate of Occupancy for the new Transportation Department office, all items designated for storage were relocated to the first floor of the building. This move not only ensures that all items in good condition are safely stored for future use but also facilitates an organized and efficient use of space. Furthermore, valuable resources such as furniture in good condition and materials deemed useful for future use have been carefully organized on the first floor. Additionally, all books from the media center and Montessori materials are securely stored and are undergoing a review process with our Director of Social Emotional Learning and the Preschool Director to maximize their use and benefit our students. As we move forward, we are committed to working with our team to enhance our efficiency and ensure that Asheville City Schools continues to uphold its commitment to excellence in education and fiscal responsibility. We appreciate the understanding and support of our Asheville City Schools community during this transition.
Community Concerns
“I don’t think it was an intentional thing to close one school, then put a dumpster outside the last school that got closed,” Mullinax said. “But, it sure did not make for a good look.” We’ll keep you updated on the moving process for Asheville City Schools operations as more information becomes available.
Future Plans
Temporary solutions, such as a mobile EMS base, are being considered for the vacated Asheville Primary School building. Stay connected to HERE NEWS for further updates on the developments regarding the reuse of this important community space.