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From YouTube: Board of Commissioners' Regular Meeting (May 7, 2019)
Description
Regular Meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners from May 7, 2019. To view the meeting agenda you can visit buncombecounty.org/commissioners.
A
A
A
A
I'd,
also
like
to
announce
that
anyone
who's
attending
this
County
Commission
meeting
who
parked
in
the
county
parking
deck
next
door,
can
get
your
parking
validated
by
one
of
the
officers
who
is
here
with
us
this
evening,
so
see
them
on
the
way
out
or
if
you
Road,
Asheville
Transit
to
get
here.
You
can
also
get
your
transit
pass
validated
to
attend
or
attending
the
meeting.
Let
me
read
the
ethics
reminder
to
the
board.
A
In
accordance
with
the
code
of
ethics
adopted
by
the
board,
all
county
commissioners
have
a
duty
to
obey
all
applicable
laws
regarding
official
actions
to
uphold
the
integrity
and
independence
of
the
office,
to
avoid
impropriety
in
the
exercise
of
official
duties
to
faithfully
perform
the
duties
of
the
office
and
to
conduct
the
affairs
of
the
governing
board
in
an
open
and
public
manner.
Is
there
any
item
on
the
agenda,
the
outcome
of
which
would
have
a
direct,
substantial
and
readily
identifiable
financial
impact
for
any
board?
Member
also.
A
Does
any
board
member
have
a
financial
interest
in
any
public
contract
coming
before
the
board?
Today,
there
being
none
all
board,
members
have
a
duty
and
obligation
to
vote
on
any
matters
voted
on
by
the
board
at
the
meeting
this
evening.
All
right
we
come
to
committee
consent
agenda.
Could
we
have
a
motion
to
add
under
good
news
recognition
of
Buncombe
County.
A
B
A
Three
Awards,
so
all
right,
all
in
favor,
please
say
aye
aye,
any
opposed
all
right
that
has
been
added
to
the
agenda.
We
have
to
do
that
by
consensus.
If
it
hasn't
been
on
the
published
agenda,
all
right
is
there
a
motion
to
approve
the
consent
that
the
consent
agenda
and
the
remainder
of
the
agenda
has
published
in
with
the
one
additional
item
we
just
added.
C
A
In
favor,
please
say
aye
all
right,
any
opposed
great
all
right.
We
will
do
good
news
first
and
Cataldo.
Perón
is
going
to
help
talking
to
us
about
this
good
news,
and
we
have
folks
here
that
we
want
to
acknowledge-
and
thank
and
I'd
like
to
ask
all
the
commissioners
to
come
down
with
me
to
help.
Thank
these
these
folks.
D
D
D
D
This
was
developed
by
communications
and
IT,
and
this
is
where
employees
get
their
news
internally,
but
it's
much
more
than
just
news.
It's
a
completely
new
communication
direction.
Our
communication
team
took
on
this
direction
to
create
content
specific
to
the
needs
of
our
staff.
We've
report
on
administration
and
policy
changes,
highlight
departments,
showcase
featured
employees
and
celebrate
big
wins
where
we
once
had
six
lines
of
text.
As
you
see
up
here,
we
now
have
a
dynamic
page
with
news
and
stories.
D
This
project
would
not
be
possible
without
the
help
of
our
IT
department
and
web
developers,
Anthony
Peron
and
Britain
Klein,
unfortunately
they're
not
here
tonight,
but
they
took
this
concept
and
made
it
a
dynamic
working
web
page
and
one
of
the
judges
comments
said
this
redesign
is
very
well
done.
The
intranet
ensures
that
employees
are
presented
with
news
friendly,
focused
landing
page
that
is
dynamic,
user-friendly,
easy
to
navigate
and
attention.
Caching,
so
I'd.
E
D
D
Next
up
the
justice
Resource
Center
branding,
it
won
first
place
in
the
category
of
marketing
tools,
branding
a
new
logo.
This
branding
project
was
very
challenging.
The
center
had
several
goals,
but
no
identity,
no
brand,
no
logo,
nothing
that
represented
the
great
work
that
they
do.
Another
challenge
faces
project
was
that
the
people
involved
in
the
justice
system
naturally
had
apprehensive
nature
when
offered
assistance
from
the
system.
So
the
logo
had
to
dispel
that
negative,
Association
and
be
trustworthy.
D
This
was
achieved
by
using
bright,
warm
colors
and
the
open
door
design
that
was
both
welcoming
and
symbolic.
The
open
door,
design
symbolized
a
way
out
or
a
new
beginning,
and
it
represented
a
pathway
to
life-changing
services,
and
all
we
had
to
do
was
walk
through
it.
One
job
judges
comment
said
I
like
how
the
logo
speaks
to
the
open
door.
You
mean
to
show
your
consists
constituents,
that's
a
powerful,
important
message
and
you've
conveyed
it
effectively,
but,
lastly,
branding
is
not
just
a
logo.
D
Every
great
brand
is
first
of
all,
all
about
the
people
who
represent
it.
The
logo
had
to
be
accepted
and
implemented
by
by
the
staff,
and
this
team
did
just
that.
They
took
this
logo,
they
believed
in
their
work
and
they
made
it
a
brand
and
it
shows
so
another
judges
comment
said:
the
open
door.
Branding
is
perfect
for
clients
and
the
community.
The
team
who
put
together
this
together
has
a
lot
of
heart.
So
we
have
some
junior
C
team
members
here
tonight.
D
Last
but
not
least,
we
have
the
student
summit
I'm
proud
to
announce
that
this
project
won
two
first-place
Awards
first
place
in
the
category
of
community
visioning
and
first
place
in
citizen
participation.
The
student
summit
has
received
funding
from
Buncombe
County
government
and
Buncombe
HHS,
and
their
directive
directly
aligns
with
the
board's
strategic
priorities
of
fighting
the
opioid
crisis.
We
know
if
we're
gonna
put
a
dent
in
this
crisis.
We
have
to
educate
and
power.
Our
youth
and
the
summit
does
just
that.
D
D
Our
team
had
the
privilege
to
worked
with
this
group
and
the
student
media
managers
to
create
social
media
accounts,
with
hashtags
logos
and
branding
snapchat
filters,
t-shirts,
step-and-repeat,
backdrops
and
challenge
cards
to
spur
engagement
and
participation,
which
gave
the
event
more
reach
during
the
summit
and
here's
what
the
judges
had
to
say
about
this
project.
Wow.
D
D
Want
to
give
a
special
tip,
thanks
to
this
summit,
organizers,
the
partner
for
substance,
free
youth,
the
RHA
prevention,
Resource,
Center,
the
school's
Buncombe,
HHS
and
partner
agencies.
These
organizations
and
students
involved
are
truly
the
ones
laying
the
foundation
for
more
for
a
more
hopeful
future.
D
D
I
So
what
we
were
able
to
see
is
that
in
all
this
time,
what's
happened
with
us
working
with
students
is,
they
are
actually
becoming
key
health,
influencers
and
they're
actually
starting
to
build
a
movement
and
that
what
we
are
best
at
is
giving
them
all
of
the
capacity
and
tools
to
really
continue
to
be
leaders
amongst
their
peers,
but
more
so
influencers
for
all
of
our
community.
So
I
just
wanted
to
share
with
you
three
really
important
changes
in
that.
I
We
were
able
to
see
by
comparing
the
post-conference
understanding
around
opioids
and
action
with
where
we
started
the
conference
this
year
and
so
by
seeing
where
we
actually
started
before
all
of
the
work
sessions.
You'll
see
that
the
students,
through
all
of
their
engagement
through
all
of
their
conversations
after
the
conference,
were
really
involved
in
informing
each
other
and
really
building
what
we
see
as
a
really
resilient
and
youth-led
influencer
atmosphere
in
our
schools
and
in
our
community.
I
Yes,
alcohol
is
a
big
deal,
but
the
other
story
of
that
they
didn't
understand
is
that
in
an
opportunity
and
why
we're
doing
this
work
is
that
we
actually
see
more
deaths
from
prescriptions
and
overdoses
than
we
see
in
car
accidents.
Last
year,
forty
eight
percent
understood
this
this
year,
ninety-one
percent
and
then
finally,
in
terms
of
understanding
exactly
is
there
kind
of
a
lightning
bolt
addiction
that
happens
around
opioids?
No,
it's
something
that
happens
gradually
last
year.
I
Forty
eight
percent
of
our
students
understood
this,
but
this
year
an
overwhelming
83
percent
understood
that
the
initiation
into
an
opioid
addiction
is
something
that
trickles
and
then
BAM
happens.
Just
you
know
before
you
know,
and
it
creeps
up
on
you,
so
we're
really
happy
to
see
that
this
continued
partnership
with
May
heck
with
RHA,
with
our
public
schools
and
really
the
entire
community,
it's
working
to
serve
to
really
empower
and
to
add
additional
capacity
for
our
students
to
be
really
informed
and
educated
influencers
in
health.
I
J
C
J
C
C
Over
80%
of
respondents
reported
increased
skill
around
creating
peer
messages
about
substance,
abuse
prevention
after
reflecting
on
the
event,
I
believed
that
it
was
worthwhile
event
because
of
the
duality
that
we
had,
especially
as
co-facilitators,
because
we
were
able
to
teach
and
also
have
receptive
learning.
So
that's
not
important.
C
C
A
A
And
to
everyone
who
participated,
congratulations,
it's
great
work
in
a
lot
of
different
areas
and
to
the
students
you
know.
Thank
you
so
much
for
what
you're
doing
this
is
one
of
those
important
issues
the
community
is
wrestling
with
and
what
y'all
are
doing
will
will
save
people's
lives.
So,
thank
you
so
much
all
right.
A
E
K
K
K
K
K
K
F
F
A
A
B
L
This
point
in
the
year,
the
assumption
is
that
revenues
and
expenditures
will
be
at
least
seventy-five
percent.
However,
due
to
the
timing
of
revenue
collections
and
payments
disbursements,
this
is
not
always
the
case.
Gentlemen,
but
budgeted
revenues
are
three
hundred
twenty
three
point:
nine
million
in
actual
revenues
to
date
are
262
million
or
eighty
point
nine
percent
of
budget.
L
One
of
the
main
drivers
for
this
is
being
under
budget.
At
this
time
is
debt
service
payments,
as
well
as
operating
expenditures
for
information
technology
and
maintenance
and
repairs.
We
provide
a
breakdown
of
the
general
fund
expenditures
by
function
and
category.
As
you
can
see,
the
budgeted
numbers
up
there
general
government
is
at
64
points.
Four
percent
of
budget
Public
Safety
is
sixty
eight
point.
Four
percent
economic
and
physical
development
is
forty
four
point.
Five
percent
human
Riemann's
services
is
sixty
eight
point.
Four
percent
culture
and
recreation
is
at
66.6%.
L
Education
is
at
eighty
one
point
three
percent,
other
financing
sources
and
uses.
That's
basically,
transfers
is
at
twenty
five
point:
six
and
then
debt
service
at
20
point
three.
The
next
one
shows
us
the
breakdown
by
category
and
you
can
see.
Salary
and
expenditures
is
the
largest
expenditure
and
it
is
at
seventy
point.
Eight
percent
of
budget
operating
expenditures
are
at
fifty
eight
percent
program
supporters.
At
seventy
six
point.
Eight
capital
outlays
are
only
at
eleven
percent
debt
service,
again
twenty
three
percent
and
then
transfers
alright,
twenty
five
point:
six,
the
solid
waste
fund.
L
We
break
this
down.
Also
by
category
the
solid
waste
fine
accounts
for
landfill
and
transfer
station
operations.
It's
our
Enterprise,
Fund
and
basically
operates
operates
like
a
business
budget.
Revenues
are
nine
point.
Eight
million
actual
revenues
to
date
are
six
points,
six,
eight
million
or
sixty
seven
point.
Five
percent,
since
this
fund
operates
like
a
business,
revenues
are
fee
based
and
really
depend
upon
usage
disposal.
Fees
collected
for
the
landfill
are
three
million
dollars
about
ninety
six
percent
of
budget,
but
disposal
fees
at
the
transfer
station
are
three
point.
L
One
seven
million
are
only
fifty
nine
percent
of
the
budget.
Solid
waste,
budgeted
expenditures
are
nine
point:
eight,
nine
million,
actual
expenditures
to
date
or
four
point:
four,
six
million
or
forty
five
percent
and,
as
you
see,
salaries
is
the
largest
category.
It
is
at
sixty
four
point.
Five
percent
of
budget
operating
expenditures
are
forty
one
point:
five
capital
outlays
at
forty
seven
point,
one
that
service
is
at
10
percent
and
transfers
are
at
forty
percent.
I
will
turn
it
over
to
Jennifer
who
will
go
over
the
projections.
B
N
Overall
revenues
and
expenditures
are
projected
to
remain
within
the
current
budget.
Total
projected
revenues
are
315
million,
four
hundred
and
thirty-eight
thousand
four
hundred
and
thirty
eight
dollars
for
each
revenue
by
type
we
anticipate
to
receive
all
or
more
than
with
the
exception
of
internal
transfer
revenue.
Ad
valorem
is
projected
at
marginally.
N
Interfund
transfer
revenues
are
projected
at
86
percent
of
the
budget.
As
the
budget
plan
for
fiscal
year,
2019
included
a
plan
to
transfer
from
the
Insurance
Fund,
and
the
current
projection
indicates
it
will
most
likely
most
likely
not
to
be
needed.
Therefore,
we
have
not
included
it
here
as
revenue.
That's
why
it
would
be
at
86
percent
to
review
in
more
detail
the
categories
of
other
taxes
and
licenses
and
the
combination
category
that
includes
miscellaneous
revenue
and
interest.
N
Additionally,
the
one-time
excise
tax
revenue
as
a
result
of
the
sale
of
Memorial
Mission
Hospital,
is
recorded
and
contributes
to
the
increase
percent
in
other
taxes
and
licenses.
It
is
important
to
note
that,
while
the
revenue
is
recorded
in
full
at
1.25
million,
the
county
revenue
share
is
approximately
six
hundred
and
forty
six
thousand
and
$32
the
other
49%
share
of
that
goes
to
the
state.
N
We
pay
that
to
the
state,
as
as
the
state's
year,
Health
and
Human
Services
is
projected
to
receive
additional
revenue
over
the
budget
due
to
a
shift
in
reimbursement
being
more
heavily.
What
to
uncapped
revenue
streams.
This
fluctuates
depending
on
a
multitude
of
factors.
However,
the
trend
is
indicating
we
should
receive
additional
revenue
that
originally
budgeted.
A
J
A
And
that
will
likely
you
know.
Obviously
it
can
go
up
and
down,
but
if
it
kind
of
stays
in
the
neighborhood
of
where
it
is
now
for
the
next
year
or
two
then
that'll
mean
I
mean
that's
bad
if
you're
buying
a
house
right.
But
if
it's
you're,
if
you've
got
funds
invested-
and
that's
that's
good
right,
so
that
would
be
a
little
bit
of
additional
revenue
for
the
county.
Then
compared
to
like
the
last
few
years,
when
interest
rates
have
been
just
super
low,
potentially.
N
And
and
a
portion
of
this
is
bank
interest,
and
so,
if
you
think
about
how
much
money
you
have
in
your
savings
account
less
money,
you
have,
in
your
savings,
account
less
interest
that
you're
going
to
you're
going
to
earn
so
between
the
combination.
As
long
as
the
the
interest
rates
continue,
the
investment
rate
earnings
continue
to
improve,
or
at
least
stay.
Yes,
it
has
the
potential
to
yield
more
revenue.
N
So,
overall,
the
so
all
of
the
the
key
contributors
that
I
just
talked
about
does
contribute
to
an
improved
financial
outlook
since
the
last
financial
report
and
totals
4.5
million
dollars
and
is
largely
one-time
revenues
I'm
continuing
to
talk
about
revenues.
What
you
don't
see
here
are
any
revenues
for
the
potential
sale
of
Ferry
Road
without
the
ability
to
confidently
plan
on
the
receipt
of
the
revenues
in
fiscal
year.
2019
we've
not
included
those
in
the
fiscal
year
29:19
projection.
As
of
now.
N
The
total
general
general
fund
expenditures
projected
for
fiscal
year.
2019
year-end
is
315
million,
six
hundred
and
fifty
thousand
five
hundred
and
seventy
three
dollars
spending
across
all
functions
is
estimated
to
remain
within
budget
and,
at
ninety
seven
point,
five
percent
spent
for
the
total
fund
debt
service
and
education
funding
are
expected
to
be
fully
expended.
N
If
you,
if
you'll
recall
this
board,
made
the
decision
to
institute
the
40
hour
max
cap
for
annual
leave
sales
at
the
close
of
December
and
during
our
work
on
the
projection,
we
unfortunately
didn't
have
submitted
requests
to
be
able
to
evaluate
the
impact
for
the
last
available
cycle
of
leave
sales.
Therefore,
we
overestimated
the
actuals
good
and
bad
in
working
with
departments
across
the
organization.
They
have
a
dish.
They
have
identified
additional
dollars
that
are
not
planned
for
spending
and
are
captured
here.
So.
N
It
is
not
unlikely
that
we
see
more
conservatism
in
an
earlier
projection
than
one
that
is
nearer
to
the
end
of
the
fiscal
year.
The
confidence
in
which
you
can
project
increases
as
the
number
of
months
that
you
see
an
actual
spending
has
taken
place
as
a
result
of
the
revenue
and
expenditure
notations
from
previous
slides.
The
projected
use
of
fund
balance
at
this
current
time
is
two
hundred
and
twelve
thousand
one
hundred
and
thirty-five
dollars.
L
O
Want
to
give
you
an
update
from
working
wheels
in
our
April
meeting.
We
did
appropriate
there
to
donate
for
vehicles
to
them.
When
they've
looked
at
the
vehicles,
there
was
one
that
they
could
not
use
was
a
2012
Crown
Vic
that
had
very
high
mileage
over
two
hundred
thirty
two
thousand
miles.
So
since
we
asked
that
they
have
all
of
our
vehicles,
go
to
the
programs
and
not
be
used
for
sale
or
for
scrap,
they
could
not
use
one
vehicle.
A
O
Is
not,
but
we
would
love
to
talk
about
that.
We
would
like
to
do
that
I
believe.
If
the
14th
work,
I,
think
Amanda,
you
couldn't
make
it
on
the
14th,
but
if
the
rest
could
make
it
on
the
14th,
we
could
have
the
auditors
present
the
fiscal
year
18
budget.
If
not,
we
will
have
to
talk
about
a
special
date
that
we
can
do
that.
A
A
M
A
C
A
Q
Mr.
chairman,
commissioners,
screen
does
blink
a
lot.
The
the
City
Board
of
Education
asks
that
we,
this
board,
consider
a
joint
resolution.
The
city's
school
board
approved
this
resolution
last
evening.
So
the
reason
we're
here
for
this
is
because
they
want
to
enter
into
a
continuing
contract
for
capital
outlay,
to
buy
a
new
phone
system
and
because
that
phone
system
is
more
than
250
thousand
dollars
and
it's
a
lease
option
to
purchase
extending
more
than
three
years.
Q
Then
the
technical
requirements
of
the
statute
require
that
the
School
Board
get
the
approval
of
this
commission
on
the
theory
that
counties
are
authorized
to
appropriate
funds
by
purpose
function
and
project.
This
board
does
not
do
that,
so
we're
just
fulfilling
the
technical
requirements
of
the
statute.
They
already
have
this
funding
in
their
budget.
It's
already
in
the
current
year
budget.
They
already
have
it
planned
for
the
next
three
years
of
the
budget,
so
they're
just
asking
for
this
board's
approval
for
that
capital
outlay
contract
to
fulfill
that
requirement.
Q
B
Q
A
A
All
right,
we
do
not
have
any
board
appointments
for
this
evening,
so
that
brings
us
to
public
comment.
Let
me
go
over
the
rules.
The
time
for
individual
comment
to
the
board
is
three
minutes.
If
your
time
expires,
you
may
leave
any
question
along
with
your
name
address
and
phone
number
with
the
county
manager
board.
Members
are
not
expected
to
comment
on
any
matters
during
public
comment.
A
This
is
your
time
to
speak
to
us
and
the
board
reserves
the
right
to
deny
public
address
on
any
subject
previously
considered
during
the
board
meeting
where
the
same
topic
has
already
had
public
comment.
So
I
see,
we
have
a
lot
of
educators
with
us.
This
evening
said
welcome
and
thank
you
for
being
here
and
our
school
board
member
as
well
and
who
attended
our
work
session
earlier
this
evening
on
the
budget.
So,
thanks
to
you
all
for
being
here
who
would
like
to
speak.
A
R
Good
evening,
chairman
Newman
and
county
commissioners,
my
name
is
Paula
dinga
and
I'm,
a
third-grade
teacher
at
estie's
Elementary,
a
22-year
veteran
of
my
profession
and
the
president
of
Buncombe
County
Association
of
educators.
One
of
the
most
important
things
that
we
do
is
build
relationships
with
children.
This
is
the
elemental
key
to
addressing
the
profound
and
growing
needs
of
us
for
our
social,
emotional
and
academic
stability
of
our
young
students.
Nowhere
is
that
role
more
important
than
the
frontlines
in
the
classroom.
R
People
comprise
the
greatest
share
of
the
Buncombe
County
Schools
budget,
which
makes
perfect
sense.
Children
need
to
feel
trust
and
stability
in
their
environment.
We
often
say
you
cannot
talk
about
blue
blooms
until
you
have
met
Maslow's,
which
refers
to
the
priority
of
physical
and
emotional
needs
being
met
before
we
can
apply
the
increasingly
rigorous
demands
of
learning.
Children
will
not
learn
from
us
unless
they
are
well
nurtured,
either
at
home
or
by
us
and
unfortunately,
so
many
of
them
come
to
us
needing
more
than
just
academics.
R
Our
instructional
assistants
and
classified
staff
do
just
that.
They
are
on
the
front
line
face
to
face
with
children
every
day,
alongside
Holly
highly
qualified
certified
staff.
They
make
it
possible
to
see
and
hear
every
child
to
watch
for
the
cracks
in
their
foundation
to
build
them
up
when
they
are
down.
They
are
the
reason
we
can
differentiate
instruction
for
the
smallest
groups
and
the
most
individualized
and
focused
attention
while
working
towards
bridging
the
achievement
gap.
R
They
are
not
an
extra,
they
are
essential
and
this
is
not
a
k-1
concern,
as
I
speak
from
a
third-grade
experience
in
the
most
heavily
tested
elementary
grade
level.
Tonight,
you've
heard
the
presentation
from
the
Buncombe
County
Schools
budget
request,
and
it
includes
many
line
items
that
skew
its
investment
toward
personnel,
not
the
least
of
which
are
the
people
who
work
directly
with
our
children.
R
Thankfully,
we
have
always
felt
the
Commission
has
understood
the
value
of
its
public
schools.
It's
a
sad
truth
that
we
must
look
to
you
as
a
local
governing
body
to
mitigate
the
funding
gap
that
is
widening
as
the
state
level
per
pupil
expenditure
drops
well
below
the
national
average.
It's
a
Sophie's
Choice
that
I
wish.
None
of
us
had
to
consider
and
how
meeting
the
needs
of
our
youngest
generation
in
their
future
I
wish
that
Buncombe
County
Schools
were
requesting
the
full
funding
of
all
existing
instructional
assistant
positions,
regardless
of
attrition.
R
Our
County
administrators
have
protected
these
positions
longer
than
many
of
our
colleagues
outside
of
Buncombe
County,
but
without
your
support
it
may
no
longer
be
feasible.
Please
fully
fund
the
budget
request
from
Buncombe
County
Schools,
anything
we'll
know
anything
less
will
no
doubt
mean
a
reduction
in
personnel
until
we
have
the
full
and
unqualified
support
of
our
state
lawmakers.
We
will
continue
to
ask
for
your
intervention.
Thank.
A
H
Good
afternoon,
commissioners,
as
you
know,
I
am
Amy
Churchill,
remember
a
Buncombe
County
school
board.
Thank
you
for
allowing
me
the
opportunity
to
speak
with
you
today
concerning
a
budget
request.
You
heard
earlier
from
Buncombe
County
Schools.
You
have
been
presented
with
what
I'm
sure
some
of
you
would
consider
a
very
large
monetary
request.
I
am
here
today
to
speak
about
the
true
value
of
a
dollar
1
million,
two
hundred
ninety
five
thousand
six
hundred
and
forty
dollars.
A
large
number,
perhaps
I,
consider
it
an
investment
in
our
children's
lives.
H
This
amount
of
money
will
have
a
direct
impact
on
our
students,
emotional
well-being,
keeping
assistants
in
the
classroom
in
providing
seven
new
behavioral
support
positions.
These
are
people
who
will
provide
what
some
children
will
only
get
at
school,
emotional
stability
and
an
adult
who
believes
in
them
the
foundation
for
good
citizenship
for
some
and
the
continued
building
blocks
for
those
that
do
have
the
support
at
home
this
week,
my
heart
has
been
breaking
thinking
about
one
of
our
amazing
graduates.
He
is
being
held
a
hero
and
story
after
story
describes.
This
behavior
was
his
nature.
H
It
is
apparent
that
Raleigh
Howell
had
the
emotional
support
to
become
a
hero.
He
had
the
love
and
support
of
family
and
friends.
He
had
many
teachers,
counselors
and
assistants
who,
over
the
years,
helped
build
upon
that
support
in
a
positive
way.
We
need
more
heroes.
Among
us,
I've
also
been
thinking
about
the
shooter
another
young
man,
I
can't
help,
but
wonder
what
his
emotional
support
was
like.
Why
he
didn't
have
the
opportunity
to
grow
up
differently,
perhaps
become
a
hero
himself.
My
heart
also
breaks
for
this
lost
child
and
lost
opportunities.
H
We
have
to
do
better
by
our
children
all
children.
In
the
next
few
weeks.
You
will
have
the
opportunity
to
make
a
difference
in
children's
lives
here
in
Buncombe,
to
be
a
part
of
that
child's
journey
to
good
citizenship,
to
be
a
part
of
providing
that
one
person
who
believes
in
a
lost
child
to
have
that
child
becomes
something
so
amazing.
They
will
forever
remember
the
support
they
were
given
in
their
schools
and
their
community.
H
They
will
take
that
support
and
build
better
communities
for
all
of
us.
They
may
even
become
heroes.
Again.
We
need
more
heroes.
In
this
world,
you
can
make
that
difference
in
that
my
friends
is
worth
more
than
the
monetary
requests
before
you
today,
and
that
is
the
true
value
of
the
dollar.
Thank
you,
Thanks.
A
P
Good
evening
my
name
is
Jennifer
Westbrook
and
I'm.
A
four
hour
instructional
assistant
at
sd's,
elementary
school
I,
have
a
bachelor's
degree
in
accounting,
I've
been
married
for
30
years
and
have
raised
five
children,
two
of
which
were
diagnosed
severely
dyslexic.
My
day
starts
immediately
by
facilitating
two
30-minute
reading
groups.
These
groups
consist
of
five
to
six
students
each.
We
read
appropriate
level
texts
working
on
fluency
comprehension
and
writing
directly
from
here
I
work
with
seven
students
strictly
on
fluency.
P
We
use
several
research-based
interventions
focused
on
improving
fluency
after
my
morning,
groups
third
grade
transitions
into
about
90
minutes
of
ela,
followed
by
90
minutes
of
math.
This
schedule
allows
the
two
part-time
assistants
to
spend
100%
of
our
time
with
students
during
instruction
during
ela
and
math.
We
are
regularly
working
with
small
groups
of
students
who
need
additional
support,
assisting
all
students
with
questions
and
catching
students
up
who
may
have
missed
assignments
or
assessments
due
to
absences.
This
is
the
only
way
that
students
can
receive
differentiated
instruction.
P
Everything
I've
previously
mentioned
is
extremely
important
and,
you
might
say,
checks
a
box
for
instructional
assistants.
However,
in
my
mind,
equally
important
are
the
numerous
efforts
we
make
every
single
day
to
assist
students
and
classroom
teachers.
I
could
not
possibly
mention
every
situation
that
arises
over
the
course
of
a
school
year,
but
here
are
some.
We
often
assist
with
behavior
issues
from
a
simple
silent
gesture,
to
remind
students
of
appropriate
behavior
to
removing
a
student
from
the
classroom
to
determine
if
a
quiet
conversation
can
steer
them
back
on
track
to
a
visit
to
the
office.
P
If
required,
we
provide
first
aid,
including
band-aids,
bloody
noses
temperature
taking
holding
garbage
cans
for
that
unexpected
tummy
issue.
Let's
not
forget
emotional
first
aid
many
times
we
need
to
simply
listen
to
a
student
who
needs
to
talk
about
issues
at
home
or
issues
with
peers
when
assistants
take
care
of
social,
physical
and
emotional
channel
needs.
We
build
trusting
relationships
with
students.
If
we
are
not
in
the
classroom
to
do
these
things,
it
all
falls
to
the
classroom
teacher,
which
adds
to
their
already
demanding
job.
P
Finally,
I
am
one
of
hundreds
of
instructional
assistants
in
the
county.
We
all
bring
knowledge
life
experiences
and
tremendous
care
to
the
classrooms
of
bumpkin
County
I
hope
that
when
you
consider
the
BCS
budget,
you
will
approve
the
requested
funds
to
allow
instructional
assistants
to
remain
in
the
classroom
I
sincerely.
Thank
you
for
your
time.
Thank.
A
S
Good
afternoon
I'm
renee
Ledford
I've
been
employed
as
an
as
an
instructional
assistants
for
Buckham
County
Schools
for
15
years.
First
and
foremost,
I
would
like
to
thank
the
County
Commissioners
for
all
that
you
have
done
for
our
students
and
our
schools
for
over
the
years.
I
will
be
speaking
on
behalf
of
instructional
assistants
and
the
importance
of
funding
for
these
positions.
I
would
also
like
to
for
you
to
know
how
instructional
assistant
jobs
have
changed
over
the
past
20
years.
We
no
longer
cut
and
paste
or
make
copies
all
day
long
as
assistants.
S
We
promote
academic
skills
as
well
as
provide
the
safety
needs
for
all
the
students.
What
we
do
every
day
to
meet
the
safety
needs
for
students.
We
cover
a
breakfast
car
and
haul
duty.
We
provide
lunch
duty
coverage
for
all
the
levels
at
our
school.
We
monitored
food
allergies
and
special
diets.
We
monitor
blood
sugar
levels
for
our
diabetic
students.
We
tend
to
the
needs
of
six
students,
such
as
temperatures
calling
parents
and
sending
home
students
if
they're
sick,
providing
clean
clothes
as
needed.
This
can
take
up
to
20
minutes
of
his
teachers.
S
Instructional
time
we
provide
bathroom
assistance
for
our
special
needs.
Students
require
changing
as
needs,
and
this
requires
two
assistants.
We
assist
students
who
have
behavioral
or
emotional
challenges
by
removing
them
from
the
classroom
and
allowing
them
time
to
calm
down.
We
cross-check
transportation
changes
we
do
afternoon
car
Duty.
Secondly,
bus
duty:
we
classroom
coverage
when
substitutes
are
not
able
or
not
available
or
when
the
teachers
are
running
behind.
We
act
as
extra
set
of
eyes
throughout
the
building
every
day,
keeping
our
children
safe.
We
are
sweepers
who
can
firm.
S
All
children
have
safely
left
the
building
during
a
fire
drill.
Air
academic
duties
include
three
small
reading
groups
providing
instructions
for
four
to
five
children
per
grade.
30
minutes
each.
We
are
certified
title
one
assistance,
small
group
instructions
for
struggling
students
who
require
additional
help
in
math
science
and
phonics.
S
We
are
reading
tutors
for
struggling
readers
for
second
grade.
We
Proctor,
third
and
fourth
grade
be
OGS
and
Yogi's.
We
are
certified
subs,
who
may
be
pulled
anytime
the
day
to
substitute
when
teachers
leave
due
to
sudden
illness
or
when
Beckham
County
cannot
provide
substitutes.
We
monitor
and
maintain
classrooms
while
teachers
are
involved
with
testing
individual
students.
Thank
you
for
your
funding,
our
positions
in
the
past.
We
know
we
know
you
value
quality,
education
and
hope
you
will
continue
to
fund
instructional
assistants
by
supporting
us
in
your
budget.
Thank
you
great.
M
Thank
You
mr.
chairman
members
aboard
I'd
like
to
say
that
the
responsibilities
and
the
things
that
this
Commission
is
in
charge
of
in
North
Carolina
in
Buncombe
County,
is
certainly
the
policy
making
and
the
things
you
do
to
set
policy.
It
is
not
to
be
a
cheerleader
or
a
protester
on
the
sidebar
in
anything
you
do
out
here
in
the
community
advocating
for
a
cause
when
you
need
to
be
non
boss
and
not
set
a
precedent
of
being
out
there
on
the
sidelines
with
a
group
of
teachers
or
a
group
of
equality
people.
M
You
need
to
be
here,
setting
policy,
that's
number
one
and
that's
where
it
ought
to
be.
The
thing
about
schools.
I
can
agree
with
everything
these
teachers
are
saying.
I
can
bring
you
good
stories.
I
can
bring
you
sad
stories.
I
can
bring
you
something
to
make
the
hair
stay
on
your
head
now,
I'm
saying
this
for
32
years
of
experience
of
helping
special
kids,
they
are
getting
the
blunt
of
every
policy
of
the
state
or
the
county
that
you
are
making
they're
getting
the
brunt
of
it.
M
That's
not
got
much
experience
and
I
can
tell
you
that
from
my
experience
they
don't
even
know
what
special
Asian
referrals
are.
They
don't
even
know
how
to
refer
a
kid.
They
don't
know
how
to
document
stuff
to
get
a
kid
to
get
help
at
the
front
office.
You
go
to
the
principal
and
you
might
as
well
be
talking
to
the
wall,
because
they
ain't
got
much
more
sense
and
the
teacher
has-
and
they
should
be
the
leader.
M
Superintendent
wants
to
have
this
one
month
thing
you
know,
set
aside
four
point:
eight
million
dollars.
You
know
they
got
in
trouble
and
they
wanted
this
supplement
money
to
keep
coming
in
because
they
got
in
trouble.
Cuz,
Mary,
Parker,
the
finance
director
was
not
filling
out
the
paperwork
and
getting
the
personnel
stuff
sent
in
to
Raleigh.
Soon
enough
and
Jerry.
M
T
Want
to
give
you
a
comment,
the
guy
that
got
up
here
that
was
over
public
relations,
giving
out
the
awards.
I
had
a
conversation
him
today
with
the
phone,
and
this
one
is
a
pleasure.
The
conversations
I've
had
with
any
employee
in
Buncombe
County
in
20-some
years,
I've
been
dealing
with
government
and
I
will
not
attempt
to
pronounce
his
name,
but
I
did
talk
to
him
and
I
did
find
out
this
year.
T
There
is
a
request
in
to
where
your
pre
meetings
your
work
sessions
will
be
put
on
the
page
where
you've
got
these
meetings
listed
and
I
want
to
see
that
as
soon
as
possible.
Because
guess
what,
if
you
can
hand
out
2.2
million
without
interest,
you
can
give
the
schools
four
point:
eight
million,
don't
you
worry
about
the
cost
of
putting
the
information
out
for
the
citizens
to
see
it?
Okay,
now
I've
said
here:
they're
not
and
I've
listened
about
schools
and
yeah
the
tops.
T
The
problem
is
not
the
teachers,
it's
the
top,
it's
the
National
Education
Association,
which
is
nothing
but
a
union
that
pulls
them
together
and
they
go
to
Raleigh.
They
got
the
time
to
take
a
day
out.
Go
to
Raleigh
upset
the
whole
system
to
protest
for
more
money
to
protest
for
more
money.
Folks,
we
heard
it
tonight
when
you
started.
Looking
at
the
budget
comes
budget
time,
that's
seventy
thousand
dollars
for
that
project.
You
had
out
there
on
saluted
farms
that
passed
and
the
consent
agenda.
T
T
So
it's
going
to
take
something
to
make
some
of
you
stand
up
for
us,
the
citizens
and
I'm
looking
for
it
who's
going
to
be
the
one
that's
gonna
say
enough
is
enough.
We
can't
do
that
anymore.
You
have
to
manage
the
budget.
You've
got
because
guess
what
that's
what
we
all
do
in
our
private
individual
budget
unless
you're,
stealing
a
little
from
the
county
for
your
vacations,
and
you
know
what
I'm
talking
about
there
and
yeah
I'm
gonna
stand
right
here
to
that
buzzer
because
brownie
you
don't
care
what
we
say.
F
Chairman
commissioners,
thank
you
for
allowing
us
to
speak
tonight.
I
just
want
to
start
by
saying
I,
absolutely
mana
be
very
clear
that
have
my
stance
on
the
budget
for
the
schools,
I
think
education,
the
teachers,
the
students
are
all
very
important
and
I
think
that
we
need
to
go
ahead
and
move
forward
with
that
they're
the
lifeblood
of
the
future,
and
we
need
to
make
sure
that
we're
doing
everything
we
can
for
the
teachers.
F
U
Good
evening,
commissioners,
John
I'm
John,
Coffey
I'm,
the
chief
of
Riceville,
Fire,
Department
and
I
just
want
to
make
an
announcement
more
or
less
in
Riceville
Fire
District
we've
started
a
lot
of
community
support
programs.
We
believe
in
the
sense
of
community.
One
of
the
things
is
a
coffee,
social.
That's
every
Tuesday
morning
from
9:00
to
noon.
U
Studies
show
that
people
are
secluded
or
not
involved
in
a
social
activity
leads
to
depression
that
can
lead
to
other
ailments.
So
we
we're
doing
our
best
to
to
promote
health
and
wellness,
and
I
would
like
to
invite
anybody,
commissioners
included
to
attend
these
socials
meet
some
of
these
people
in
the
communities
and
just
interact
with
us.
The
other
thing
is:
is
we
started
a
farmers
market
that
kicked
off
this
month?
That
will
be
every
Saturday,
we're
still
looking
for
vendors.
U
So
if
anybody
knows
of
anyone
who
farms
or
mountain
crafts
anything
like
that,
please
contact
Riceville
fire
department.
We
also
have
community
yoga.
That
is
four
times
a
week
Wednesday
morning,
Wednesday
evening,
Friday
morning
and
Friday
afternoon.
So
and
we
are
continuing
to
grow
our
social
programs
out
of
that
coffee,
social.
We
had
partnership
with
the
America
Disabled
American
veteran
chapter,
so
there
is
a
representative
at
that
coffee,
social
that
helps
veterans
with
any
of
their
needs
out
of
that
social
group.
There's
talks
of
a
book
club
and
a
community
garden
club.