Plans for Safe School Reopening in Asheville and Buncombe County Amid Hurricane Challenges

Plans for School Reopening in Asheville and Buncombe County Are Underway

Asheville, N.C. — The community is buzzing with anticipation as plans to reopen schools in Asheville and Buncombe County begin to take shape. After a challenging couple of weeks following the disruptions caused by Hurricane Helene, district leaders met last Friday to discuss the latest updates and strategies for making schools safe and functional once more.

Why the Delay?

Schools have been closed for two weeks now, largely due to the severe damage Hurricane Helene inflicted on the area’s water system. Many residents are still under a water boil advisory, meaning the water is not safe to use without boiling it first. This poses serious problems for students and staff who rely on running water for basic needs like flushing toilets and drinking.

The Target Date is Set

Asheville School Superintendent Maggie Fehrman set a target date of October 28 for reopening schools. However, she noted that plans are still very much in the air and could change based on the availability of water. The main priority is ensuring that there is safe and adequate water supply for students and staff once the doors open.

Creative Solutions are on the Table

According to Shawn Fields, who is working closely with the local schools on restoring water, the plan currently is to install large water tanks at various school sites. Fortunately, these tanks have been generously donated and will store potable water for the schools. Still, there is a catch: the tanks can only hold 6,000 gallons of water. This amount will not sufficiently cover the needs of Asheville Middle and High School, which currently utilize more than this daily.

To bridge the gap, Fields mentioned that a well will be installed to supplement the water supply. However, testing indicates there may be significant differences in water quality from the well versus municipal water, leading to concerns about harmful metals potentially leaching from older pipes. This may require these larger schools to use bottled water for drinking purposes, as the well water may not meet safety standards.

Buncombe County Schools Still Awaiting News

As for Buncombe County schools, the situation is a bit different. While Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson was not able to provide a specific reopening timeline, he did express optimism about moving forward. He emphasized that the district is taking into account the challenges posed by having half of the buildings without running water.

Just like Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County was also gifted large tanks to store water, and plans for these installations are ongoing. In addition, the county has requested 240 restroom trailers through the Emergency Operations Center to help ease conditions in schools. Jackson noted, however, that resources are limited and it may take a while to get everything in place.

The Community Connection

The silver lining amidst the chaos is the sense of community. Parents, teachers, and students are all eager to return to the classrooms. While both district leaders are acutely aware of the obstacles ahead, their proactive strategies highlight a commitment to keeping everyone informed and safe.

As the situation continues to evolve, the community of Asheville and Buncombe County remains hopeful. Everyone is crossing their fingers for a successful reopening by late October, but the uncertainty reminds us all of the importance of patience and adaptability in times of crisis. Stay tuned for updates as plans solidify in the efforts to get students back to learning!