Swearing-In Ceremony Introduces New Leadership at Buncombe County Board of Education

Swearing-In Ceremony Brings New Faces to Buncombe County Board of Education

Asheville, NC – A buzz of excitement filled the air at the Buncombe County Board of Education meeting on Dec. 5, where newly elected members Charles Martin and Greg Cheatham were officially sworn in. The night marked a significant milestone as Martin became the first Black representative elected to the school board after his victory over Glenda Weinert in the Nov. 5 election.

Rev. Charles Martin Takes Office

In his first remarks as an official member of the board, Martin expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity. “It’s an honor to serve Buncombe County Schools and to work with our community and work with our teachers and staff to elevate our kids for the next level in life,” he said, radiating positivity and aspiration.

Weinert, who previously held the at-large position, exited the board after a brief appointment to replace Amanda Simpkins when she resigned on May 15. During the meeting, Weinert took a moment to commend Martin. “I just wanted to publicly acknowledge and congratulate Rev. Martin on his election to the at-large seat,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of his new role.

New Faces and Leadership

Cheatham, stepping into District 2, replaces Peggy Buchanan, and he too expressed sincere appreciation to the voters who supported his candidacy. The camaraderie among the members was palpable as they joined together to further the education of the children in their community.

Following the swearing-in, the newly formed board chose Rob Elliot as their chair, concluding Ann Franklin’s term with the gavel. Franklin, who was reelected to represent northern Buncombe County, continues her service on the board. Amy Churchill, also reelected in November, secured the position of vice-chair, showcasing a renewed leadership team.

Consolidation Study Moves Forward

Amid this fresh wave of leadership, a notable study concerning the potential consolidation of Buncombe County’s two public school districts is moving ahead as planned. Rachael Sawyer, the strategic partnerships director for Buncombe County, reported that the contracted vendor, Prismatic Services, has successfully wrapped up data collection and interviews before the recent adverse weather brought by Tropical Storm Helene.

Per state law, the study aims to evaluate the potential economic and educational ramifications of merging the school districts. Sawyer informed the board that Prismatic had executed thousands of surveys and conducted 168 interviews, alongside 10 community forums to gather insights from residents. The findings and recommendations are expected to be presented at a joint meeting on Jan. 16, 2025, which will help shape future actions.

Community Concerns Over Epic Access

Despite the productive atmosphere, the board faced scrutiny over a recent change affecting access to Epic, a free digital library catering to elementary students. During public comments at the meeting, several parents voiced their frustrations over the decision, which they felt had been made without adequate input or discussion.

“Last spring, this board considered several requests to ban books at the high school level. However, the choice to ban an entire library seems to have bypassed the usual procedures, cutting teachers and parents out of the conversation,” remarked Lachlan Lane from the Campaign for Southern Equality. A letter-writing campaign advocating for the reinstatement of Epic access has recently surged as community members rally together to voice their concerns.

In response, Jennifer Reed, the associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction, clarified that while Epic remains available for teachers, the board made changes to limit student access due to the program’s lack of filtering capabilities. This step, she noted, aligns with the district’s standard procedures regarding digital materials.

Looking ahead, the board strives to navigate community feedback while ensuring student learning remains a top priority. As Buncombe County embarks on exciting changes with new representatives in place, the focus on educational improvement continues to be the guiding light for all involved.