Asheville Schools Question NC Teacher Data, But Say Turnover Still Very Bad
ASHEVILLE – Local education officials are questioning state data that shows the city school system has the worst teacher turnover in the state, although they acknowledge the number of Asheville City Schools instructors quitting is still likely one of North Carolina’s highest.
Questioning the Data
The State of the Teaching Profession in North Carolina report released by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction highlighted Asheville City Schools as the top system in the state for teachers quitting, with a 30.7% attrition rate. However, ACS spokesperson Kim Dechant stated that the state used the wrong number of total teachers to calculate the percentage based on 98 teachers quitting. With the correct number of teachers considered, ACS would have a 27% attrition rate, the third-worst in the state.
DPI spokesperson Blair Rhoades mentioned that the report only considered teachers coded as “classroom teachers” in the state payroll system, which may differ from how districts categorize instructional roles.
Addressing the Issue
Superintendent Maggie Fehrman highlighted the importance of addressing the high turnover rate by increasing the local salary supplement. The school board had requested additional funding from the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to raise the supplement by 2%, acknowledging the high cost of living in Asheville and Buncombe County. However, only a 1% increase was approved.
The General Assembly raised base salaries for teachers, but Asheville’s high cost of living, particularly in rental prices, remains a challenge for educators.
Focusing on Retention
Dechant noted that the high turnover coincided with a year of leadership changes within the school district. By hiring Superintendent Fehrman, the board aimed to bring stability and a renewed focus on building trust and a sense of belonging within the school community. Fehrman’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for staff is expected to lead to a decrease in attrition.
Fehrman emphasized the importance of belonging and investment in creating a positive school culture that encourages staff retention. The goal is to build a sense of belonging and trust across all schools and departments in the district.
Statewide Comparisons
If verified, Asheville City Schools rank third in teacher attrition statewide, with Halifax County and Weldon City Schools reporting higher attrition rates. Buncombe County Schools, with a 16.1% attrition rate, has seen fewer teachers leaving compared to Asheville.
Asheville’s ongoing efforts to address teacher turnover will be crucial in ensuring a stable and supportive learning environment for students across the city school system.
