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From YouTube: Budget Work Session | Board of Commissioners
Description
Budget Work Session | Board of Commissioners | May 9, 2023
A
B
B
Today
we
will
begin
with
changes
made
to
the
budget
since
our
last
work
session,
with
this
budget
balance
we're
able
to
provide
a
financial
Outlook
to
you
from
there
we'll
move
to
fire
districts
and
requested
rate
increases.
We
have
five
fire
districts
that
have
requested
tax
rate
increases
when
we
are
finished
with
fire
districts.
We
will
briefly
discuss
education
funding
and
then
hear
from
our
education
Partners,
we'll
finish
our
day
with
a
discussion
of
community
Investments
and
discuss
our
next
steps.
B
Since
the
last
time
we
met,
there
have
been
a
few
changes
to
the
budget.
We
have
a
reduction
in
public
health
Revenue
that
has
been
moved
to
the
grants
fund
to
support
the
mobile
team.
We
are
increasing
the
budget
for
the
Medicaid
hold
harmless
payment
from
the
state
to
bring
it
closer
to
actual
fiscal
year,
23
receipts.
B
We
will
transfer
excess
Bond
revenue
from
the
capital
projects
fund
to
pay
down
debts
specifically
related
to
the
2015
limited
obligation.
Bond
issuance.
These
changes
result
in
net
revenue
increase
of
2.86
million
dollars.
On
the
expansion
side
we
reduced
operating
expendures
from
departments.
We
moved
Public
Health
expendures
to
the
grants
fund
to
support
the
mobile
team.
B
We
added
a
hundred
thousand
dollars
for
the
green
Bank.
As
requested
by
commissioners.
We
reduce
budgetary
contingency
from
one
million
dollars
to
five
hundred
thousand
dollars.
We
identified
Debt
Service
payments
related
to
public
school
capital
and
have
moved
that
amount
to
the
public
school
Capital
needs
fund.
These
changes
reduce
expenditures
by
1.89
million
dollars.
Also,
these
changes
reduce
the
budget
by
4.74
million
dollars.
B
This
brings
us
to
the
total
general
fund
budget
of
423
million
five
hundred
sixty
thousand
four
hundred
twenty
two
dollars
with
expenditures.
At
that
amount
and
revenues
budgeted
at
404
million
726
352
dollars,
we
will
budget
appropriate
fund
balance
of
18
million
eight
hundred
thirty
four
thousand
is
seventy
dollars.
B
B
We
project
48.9
million
dollars
in
fiscal
year,
24
sales,
tax
revenue
and
other
revenues
growing
by
between
one
to
four
percent
based
on
the
source
on
the
expense.
Your
side,
we've
calculated
a
6.5
annual
growth
in
education,
a
one
percent
growth
in
operating
and
program
support
budgets,
five
percent
growth
in
personnel
and
fiscal
year
25,
as
well
as
investments
in
strategic
plan
priorities.
B
B
A
B
Five
districts
are
requesting
tax
rate
increases
with
15,
preferring
to
remain
at
the
rate
taken
last
year
and
use
the
natural
growth
for
additional
Revenue
as
usual.
Salaries
and
Equipment
are
the
primary
drivers
for
fire
districts,
as
well
as
facility
maintenance
and
capital
for
building
new
facilities.
B
B
Anka
is
requesting
an
increase
of
1.5
cents
per
100
of
assessed
value.
This
will
result
in
additional
revenue
of
532
631
dollars
above
natural
growth.
Hank
is
working
toward
implementing
an
additional
engine.
Company
are
facing
new
positions
toward
that
end
fiscal
year.
24
is
also
the
last
year
of
a
three-year
plan
to
get
all
employees
to
at
least
fifteen
dollars
an
hour.
Finally,
there
in
the
initial
stages
of
planning
for
a
replacement
relocation
of
their
main
station
counties
in
support
of
this
requested
increase.
Chief
Beddington
bettingfield
is
here
today
to
speak
to
their
request.
C
Good
morning
Commissioners,
and
thank
you
for
allowing
me
to
share
a
little
bit
of
time
with
you
this
morning.
I've
got
a
short
slide
show
here,
that's
going
to
basically
go
over
what
we're
looking
for
and
why
we're
looking
for
it,
and
there
are
some
other
things
in
this
packet
that
I've,
given
you
that's
behind
the
tabs
that
you'll
be
able
to
to
review
as
well.
C
We
provide
Advanced,
Fire
and
emergency
service
delivery.
Our
call
volume
is
averaging
about
3
550
calls
per
year
and
that's
over
the
last
three
years.
Our
CAD
calls
are
averaging
about
3
800.
Over
the
same
time
frame
we
cover
a
40
miles,
a
square
mile
District,
that's
divided
into
three
sub-districts
one.
Two
and
three
consists
of
residential
commercial
government,
medical,
Wildland
and
Rural
response
areas
and
we're
serving
approximately
28
000
people
according
to
22
census.
C
Our
request,
first
of
all,
in
the
background
in
March
of
2019,
our
board
of
directors
approved
a
three-point
or
three
cent
increase.
Then
that
was
in
support
of
opening
and
operating
station
three
and
the
hiring
of
additional
Personnel
to
do
that
through
County
leadership
meetings
and
and
he's
in
Canada
fire
and
rescue,
we
compromised
at
a
1.5
increase
due
to
the
delay
in
construction
of
station.
Three.
C
So
fast
forward,
a
few
years
in
March
of
2023,
the
board
of
directors
again
approved
to
increase
the
tax
rate
212
cents,
which
was
the
original
amount
back
in
2019,
and
this
is
primarily
to
support
personnel
and
employee
programs.
In
addition
to
we
planted
over
the
next
three
year
period
to
hiring
one
one
person
per
shift,
so
we
can
operate
another
engine
company
out
of
station
three
due
to
the
call
volume
and
the
increase
activity
over
in
District
3..
C
In
addition,
as
was
mentioned
by
John
just
a
few
minutes
ago,
three
years
ago,
as
of
July,
we
began
a
program
to
increase
employee
salaries,
a
dollar
Thirty
per
hour
across
across
the
board,
and
this
is
the
the
third
year
of
that
program
to
get
everybody
above
our
to
get
our
initial
firefighters
or
our
first
line.
Firefighters
above
15
an
hour.
C
C
After
that,
we'll
look
at
the
facility
new
construction,
that's
actually
for
fire
station
three
to
pay
mortgage
payments.
The
facility
maintenance
of
maintaining
those
three
facilities,
equipment,
personal
protective
equipment
and
Wildlife
and
gear
is
very
expensive.
Sdbas
are
very
expensive
to
outfit
one
firefighter
we're
concluding
SBA
he's
looking
about
ten
thousand
dollars,
foreign
vehicle
and
Fleet
Maintenance.
C
C
We
have
is,
is
30,
plus
years
old
and
has
a
lot
of
Band-Aids
on
it
and
needs
a
lot
of
Maintenance
that
we've
been
keeping
up
with
for
several
years,
but
we're
looking
at
possibly
getting
a
new
facility
at
some
point
in
the
future.
Maybe
about
five
years
out,
and
we
do
include
I,
intend
to
include
being
able
to
house
EMS
as
well
as
have
a
a
location
for
a
law.
Enforcement
can
do
some
of
their
work
if
they
need
to
that's
not
downtown.
C
A
A
B
French
Broad
is
requesting
an
increase
of
five
cents
per
100
of
assessed
value.
This
will
result
in
additional
revenue
of
two
hundred
thousand
nine
hundred
thirty
three
dollars
above
natural
growth.
French
Broad
requires
major
renovations
to
their
main
station
and
design
has
already
been
completed.
This
increase
will
also
bring
firefighters
up
to
15
an
hour
and
increase
their
retirement
contributions.
Counties
in
support
of
this
requested
increase.
Chief
Shelton
is
here
today
to
speak
to
their
request.
E
Good
night
good
morning
we
are
requesting
the
five
cent
increase
to
price.
The
average
pay
startup
15
an
hour,
we're
currently
at
12.75
an
hour,
we're
looking
at
doing
a
12
percent
into
their
401
case,
doing
a
750
dollar
a
year
staff
into
a
HSA
to
help,
because
we
got
a
1500
deductible
on
our
insurance,
help
that
part
of
it
out
and
the
we
are
looking
at
the
new
facility.
We've
already
done,
the
preliminary
stuff,
the
the.
E
F
F
B
B
G
Good
morning,
everyone
like
we
said
earlier,
we're
requesting
two
cents
that
is
to
I
had
an
additional
add
a
substation
to
our
district
right
now
we
have
a
split
District,
which
is
a
9e4
area
for
ISO
ratings,
and
that
is
because
of
the
travel
distance
from
our
current
station.
So
we
purchased
the
property
several
years
ago
and
I've
already
paid
for
that
and
we're
just
now
wanting
to
put
a
station
on
it.
G
A
G
B
H
Good
morning,
Commissioners
and
other
government
officials,
we
appreciate
you
giving
us
the
opportunity
to
speak
to
you
today
about
our
leads.
Katie
is
going
to
pass
out
some
information
for
you
all
to
have
as
a
takeaway
after
this
meeting
this
morning
again.
Thank
you
very
much
today
we're
representing
the
Riceville
fire
department.
We
also
have
several
members
our
board
of
directors
today
and
Katie.
Presley
is
our
administrative
assistant
and
again
I
am
Tom
Kelly,
the
fire
chief.
H
So
why
are
we
here
big
question?
We're
going
to
be
requesting
two
cents
for
additional
to
go
from
14.6
to
16.6.
It
is
a
very
important
issue
for
us
and
for
our
community
to
grow
per
100.
000
of
tax
value
would
take
approximately
twenty
dollars
for
this
year
for
each
taxpayer.
District
the
board
of
directors
has
evaluated
and
considered
this
cost
benefit,
and
has
asked
me
to
present
this
to
you.
H
Secondly,
purchasing
the
new
engine
in
the
ambulance.
We
have
a
2006
fire
truck
that
needs
replacement.
At
times
we
have
had
difficulty
getting
replacement
parts
for
it,
taking
the
engine
out
of
service
for
a
long
period
of
time.
Our
ambulance
has
high
mileage
on
it.
It's
a
2017
paramedic
ambulance
that
supports
the
rifle
Community
as
well
as
Buncombe
County,
when
especially
needed
on
request
third
planning
to
replace
the
1960
building
in
1960
their.
The
vision
of
where
we
are
today
was
a
much
different
vision
and
we
do
need
to
make
our
building
more
modern.
H
So
how
are
we
going
to
do
this?
The
use
of
funds
we're
going
to
work
with
recruiting
retaining
specialized
employees
with
a
paramedic
ambulance?
You
have
to
have
people
that
are
especially
skilled,
and
these
new
skills
are
challenging
every
day,
we're
getting
new
protocols,
we're
getting
new
equipment
that
we
have
to
learn
how
to
use
to
provide
the
best
life-saving
that
we
can
to
our
community
these
skills
take
time.
H
Our
department
is
seeing
the
same
thing
as
everybody
else
across
the
United
States.
Our
number
one
asset
is
our
employees
I?
Don't
think
anybody
in
this
room
would
disagree
with
that
and
why
we
must
plan
for
our
financial
stability.
We
need
to
make
sure
that
our
organization
is
doing
the
same
for
our
employees
and
their
families,
as
well
as
living
wage
increases.
We
work
to
recruit
and
retain
our
employees
providing
medical
and
firefighting
certifications
to
meet
the
requirements
and
standards
through
their
their
career.
H
H
We
have
SCBA,
which
is
our
number
one
asset
for
fighting
fire.
We
have
to
be
careful
not
to
buy
all
of
our
equipment
at
one
time
because
they
all
do
have
some
type
of
expiration.
Our
bottles
have
15-year
maximum
life
on
them.
If
we
had
to
buy
25
bottles
at
a
time,
then
we
would
have
a
very
difficult
time
maintaining
what
we
have.
So
we
are
planning
on
small
replacement
increments
with
all
of
our
equipment,
we're
trying
to
upgrade
our
equipment
as
well
throughout
the
budget
years.
H
H
Finally,
our
future
stability
for
financial
reasons.
We
have
the
responsibility
to
ensure
the
stability
of
the
financial,
ongoing
operations
of
our
organization.
The
established
and
operating
funds
Reserve
fund
vehicle
fund
building
fund
help
us
prepare
for
the
future
so
that
we
can
pass
it
on
to
the
next
generation
and
pay
it
forward
to
those
that
next
leaders
that
take
over.
A
H
J
H
So
we
we
have
a
three-tier
plan
as
far
as
where
the
employee
is
with
their
training
and
give
them
that
incentive
to
stay
on
board
with
us,
we're
looking
to
increase
our
longevity
as
well,
so
to
increase
the
longevity,
we
give
them
very
specific
incentives,
and
that
is
where
we're
trying
to
get
to.
We
have
people
that
work,
two,
three
four
jobs,
and
we
we
see
the
stress
we
see
what
that
does
to
them.
H
F
J
B
Upper
Harmony
is
requesting
an
increase
of
2.44
cents
per
100
of
assessed
value.
This
will
result
in
additional
revenue
of
142
307
above
natural
growth.
Upper
Harmony's
request
will
support
a
one
dollar
increase
for
all
employees,
which
will
bring
all
full-time
staff
to
at
least
15
an
hour.
The
increase
will
also
assist
with
increases
to
retirement
contributions,
upper
Harmony,
initially
requests
a
2.64
increase
and,
after
discussing
their
requests
with
the
county
manager
and
budget
office,
I've
been
able
to
revise
their
budget
and
lower
their
increased
requests
to
the
current
2.44
and
increase
requests.
L
We
allegedly
looked
at
doing
2.66
cents
due
to
our
natural
growth
of
only
around
twelve
thousand
dollars
after
that
was
reviewed.
Our
growth
increased
to
twenty
four
thousand
three
hundred
and
thirteen
dollars,
so
that
allowed
us
to
lower
that
to
make
it
an
even
19
cents.
As
we
spoke
earlier
and
all
of
my
colleagues
we
spoke
to,
we
are
also
working
towards
getting
our
employees
at
15
an
hour.
L
So
just
to
give
you
an
example,
I
know,
Buncombe
County
was
was
talking
to
the
county
manager
et
cetera,
looking
around
a
seven
percent
increase
for
cost
of
living,
so
our
lowest
paid
full-time
firefighter.
This
will
put
him
at
15
35
with
the
dollar
increase,
which
is
exactly
seven
percent,
so
we're
we're
staying
within
that
Mark
we're
also
looking
at
adding
three
percent
to
our
401K.
Currently
we
do
10
contribution
to
our
401K,
as
Chief
Bedingfield
spoke
to
earlier
we're
looking
at
having
that
minimum
13
there.
L
So
if
the
state
retirement
is
able
to
open,
we
already
have
that
money
allocated,
so
we
can
go
ahead
and
be
able
to
present
to
that
and,
like
I
said,
the
numbers
we
have
are
a
little
bit
different
Heather
originally
had
our
growth
would
be
166
620.
It
shows
142
there.
So
my
number's
a
little
bit
off
we'll
we'll
adjust
that,
but
either
way
every
bit
of
that
money
is
going
into
our
employees,
pockets,
it's
going
into
retention
and
getting
that
minimum
15
an
hour.
L
We
want
to
make
sure
we
provide
them
the
best
we
can
with
the
401K
if
we're
not
able
to
get
into
the
retirement.
One
of
the
things
that's
a
little
bit
different
about
our
fire
district
is
we're
very
in
an
isolated
portion
of
Buncombe
County.
So,
even
though
we
have
a
lot
of
mutual
Aid
coming,
the
only
Mutual
Aid
we
can
count
per
DOI
is
Inca
Candler
and
that's
because
they're,
the
only
Department
that
has
a
station
within
five
miles
of
our
district.
L
Therefore,
we
man
two
stations
when
we
have
to
have
paid
staff,
so
we
have
to
make
sure
that
we
take
care
of
the
staff
that
we've
got.
Also
a
lot
of
our
district
is
taken
up
by
Pisgah,
National
Force,
so
there's
no
tax
base
there
and
the
same
with
the
the
new
State
Park,
which
were
wonderful,
that's
that's
happening,
but
there
is.
There
is
no
tax
with
that.
So
we
do
lose
some
money
with
that.
So
those
are
the
reasons
we're
coming
asking
for
an
increase
today.
So
does
anyone
have
any
questions.
J
The
group
we
are
just
now
trying
to
get
our
firefighters,
who
are
literally
running
into
burning
buildings,
to
15
an
hour
when
our
living
wage
is
2010
and
I.
Think
that
is
shocking,
particularly
when
we
have
groups
coming
to
us
asking
for
much
more
significant
increases
than
what
you
all
are
and
I
just
want.
Each
of
you
Chiefs
to
know
that
I
recognize
what
a
crime
shame.
That
is
that
we
are
only
looking
at
15
an
hour
and
I
am
so
grateful
to
each
of
you
and
the
work
that
you
perform
across
this
County.
Well,.
L
Okay,
so
what
what
it
is
now
I
think
Chief
betting
School
folk
excuse
me:
Chief
bedingsfield
spoke
to
a
little
bit
earlier,
so
right
now
we
give
10
to
each
of
our
full-time
employees
into
the
401K,
we're
adding
another
three
percent,
so
that's
13.
So
that
is
the
Department's
contribution
right
now
we
are
not
allowed
to
present
or
we're
not
allowed
to
participate
in
the
local
government
retirement
and
that's
because
we
are
a
non-profit
that
contracts
with
the
county.
Now
there
is
legislation
at
the
federal
level
to
open
that
up.
L
We
want
to
make
sure
we
have
those
funds
allocated
to.
If
that
opens
up,
then
we
can
get
in
on
that.
We
don't
have
to
come
back
and
ask
you
all
for
extra
funding
if
it
doesn't
fall
through,
we'll
still
be
able
to
give
that
13
to
our
employees.
So
that's
where
that
three
percent
increase
is
anything
else.
L
Well,
yeah
and
I
know
that
there's
a
there's
a
contingent
of
Chiefs
from
North
Carolina
that
are
going
to
DC
I
think
in
the
next
couple
weeks
to
discuss
that
with
some
of
the
folks
in
the
Ways
and
Means
Committee
Etc.
So
I
think
there's
some
bipartisan
support
for
it.
I
hope
that
it
goes
through
North
Carolina
has
said
three
times:
they
will
support
it,
but
it's
an
IRS
Rule
and
that's
the
thing
is
with
it
being
an
IRS
ruling.
L
B
There's
no
further
questions
on
fire
districts.
We're
going
to
switch
gears
to
education,
I've
shared
the
slide
at
our
last
work
session.
This
displays
the
year
over
year,
unrestricted
Revenue
growth
rate,
which
the
county
agreed
to
use
in
fiscal
year,
19
to
begin
discussion
of
the
annual
appropriation
needed
for
our
Public
School
Systems.
B
B
B
A
follow-up
fiscal
year,
2023
amended
budget
includes
104.9
million
dollars,
budgeted
for
our
education
Partners.
The
unrestricted
Revenue
growth
rate
would
push
that
amount
to
108.4
million
dollars.
This
budget
currently
contains
a
placeholder
of
115.3
million
dollars
for
our
three
education
partners.
O
Good
morning
before
Dirk
gets
into
the
details
of
our
budget,
I
just
want
to
bring
you
up
to
date
on
the
state
of
AB
Tech.
As
you
know,
the
pandemic
hit
us
quite
hard,
as
did
all
higher
ed.
Our
enrollment
dropped
around
10
percent.
It
is
coming
back
more
slowly
than
we
would
like,
but
it
is
coming
back.
70
percent
of
our
students
are
part-time
and
with
the
cost
of
living
that
is
well
documented
that
that
makes
sense.
O
The
issue
is,
we
do
not
allocate
support
for
those
students
based
on
their
enrollment
and
oftentimes
students,
who
are
part-time,
juggling
many
different
parts
of
their
lives.
It
just
takes
more
time
to
help
them
with
academic
counseling,
personal
counseling.
So,
while
our
enrollment
has
dropped,
our
services
really
have
not
85
percent
of
our
overall
budget
is
in
personnel
and
I
tell
you
that
to
tell
you
that,
even
though
our
enrollment
took
a
hit,
which
is
a
big
chunk
of
our
overall
budget,
we
have
not
taken
that
lying
down.
O
We
have
addressed
those
issues
to
solve
our
own
problems.
Our
students
tell
us
they
want
things
fast,
flexible
and
fun.
It's
up
to
the
faculty
to
deal
with
the
fun,
but
it's
up
to
the
administration
to
do
with
fast
and
flexible.
We
have
made
those
adjustments
to
our
programming.
We
have
looked
at
our
academic
offerings,
both
credit
and
non-credit,
trying
to
get
this
the
programming
that
students
want
as
well
as
our
employers
need
to
make
that
match.
O
We
are
not
asking
you
to
solve
our
balance
sheet
issues.
We
have
taken
a
good
hard
look
at
that.
Our
controller
came
to
us
in
December.
We
think
we
may
have
about
two
million
dollar
shortfall.
We
have
addressed
that
through
programmatic
changes,
anytime,
we
have
lost
an
employee
and
oftentimes.
They
leave
us
for
more
money
as
they
do
everybody.
O
P
In
order
to
address
these
issues,
you
go
to
the
next
page.
Please
that's!
Why
do
I
have
that?
Thank
you
all
right.
This
continuing
operations
and
maintenance.
You
can
see
the
sources
of
our
revenues
we
had
with
this
present
year.
We
have
2.7
million
dollars
of
appropriation
from
the
county
and
we
were
at
75
percent
of
that
at
the
end
of
March.
We're
asking
for
a
3.9.
Excuse
me
3.9
million
dollar
for
next
year,
which
would
be
a
1.2
million
dollar
increase,
as
I
alluded
to
before.
P
We
also
received
from
the
county
through
article
46
5
million
dollars,
and
that
five
million
dollars
is
statutorily,
determined
and
there's
no
change
in
that
amount.
And
then,
as
I
mentioned
before,
the
cash
reserves
on
hand,
it's
small
print
I
apologize,
but
we
will
reduce
those
cash
reserves
and
fewer
will
be
available
in
next
year.
Because
for
one
thing
we
have
to
replace
an
aging
telephone
system.
That's
about
15
years
old,
and
we
want
to
move
that
to
the
cloud.
P
So
we're
going
to
use
those
reserves
to
do
that
and
then
also
we
want
to.
As
I
mentioned
underwrite
a
one
percent
of
the
state
payroll
prior
to
2015-16,
Buffalo
County
contributed
eight
percent
of
our
payroll
for
state
employees
and
because
of
a
large
Surplus
that
was
accumulated
in
1516.
The
county
in
its
wisdom,
reduced
our
appropriation
for
by
two
million
dollars.
P
Now
at
the
point
where
our
state
budget
is
beginning
to
wane
or
Wayne
and
as
a
result,
we
would
like
to
shift
back
to
an
emphasis
upon
Buncombe
County,
supporting
our
state
employees
as
they
have
in
the
past,
and
so
this
would
be
a
one
percent
underwrite,
rather
than
the
eight
percent
that
we
had,
but
we're
hoping
that
over
time,
we
could
continue
to
do
that
again
in
this
year.
We
anticipate
that
that
one
percent
will
come
out
of
our
cash
Reserve
that
we
have
on
hand
if
we
go
to
the
next
please.
P
P
We
are
working
in
that
phone
system
upgrade
and
Cloud
migration,
so
the
total
request
is
9.1
million
dollars
and
again,
that's
represents
a
1.225
million
dollar
increase
over
the
current
allocation
from
Buncombe
County
next
foreign
I
do
want
to
emphasize
that
article
46
has
been
extremely
beneficial
to
the
college
and
that
we've
been
able
to
experience
the
degraded
condition
of
our
facilities
over
time,
which
are
now,
and
some
of
them
are
60
years
old.
We
also
have
increased
energy
efficiencies
throughout
throughout.
P
We
have
the
solar,
Investments
we've
done
in
solar
panels
that
the
county
has
done.
So
we
appreciate
all
that
and
we
have
a
State
Certified
energy
manager,
which
is
really
critical
for
our
for
our
efficiency.
So
all
those
are
in
place
and
continuing
to
operate
and
we
reap
the
benefits
of
those
Investments
all
right.
Last
one,
please
again
the
summary
you
can
see
the
two
budgets
from
this
year
and
next
and
a
1.225
million
dollar
increase.
P
So
our
operating
budget
was
about
eight
million
dollars.
At
that
point
they
reduced
it
down
to
six
million
dollars,
so
we
could
no
longer
pay
for
that
eight
percent
and
we
had
a
surplus
in
state
funds
at
that
time.
So
we
rolled
the
eight
percent
to
to
the
the
state
budget.
So
now
the
state
budget
was
paying
100
of
our
salaries.
Now,
what
we're
proposing
here
has
no
impact
on
people's
pay.
There's!
No!
It's
not
a
supplement
or
anything
like
that.
It's
just
an
underwrite
okay.
P
So
we
would
like
to
shift
one
percent
next
year
back
to
the
county
budget
and
that's
about
three
hundred
thousand
dollars
and
and
then
hopefully,
in
future
years,
we'll
be
able
to
not
only
sustain
that,
but
perhaps
add
more,
but
that
will
help
us
alleviate
the
pressure
we're
feeling
on
our
state
budget.
At
this
point.
A
Q
O
It
you're
you're
exactly
right
and
it
has
to
do
I
think
it's
a
societal
issue.
Students
are
wanting
to
get
into
the
workforce
more
quickly,
so
they
are
wanting
the
knowledge
they
need
in
order
to
get
into
jobs
and
careers.
So
that's
the
fast
part
of
it.
So
the
question,
then,
is
they.
They
register
as
an
associate
degree.
Student
they're
looking
at
two
hour
or
two
full
years
of
education,
about
a
semester
to
two
semesters
is
in
the
support
program.
General
education,
math,
English,
History
too
many
well.
O
Arguably
too
many
of
our
students
are
opting
out
of
those
classes
because
they
want
to
learn
the
skills
for
the
trades
that
they're
wanting
to
enter
or
they're
looking
for
the
classes
that
they
know
will
transfer.
So
that's
the
fast
part
flexible.
Seventy
percent
of
part-time
they've
got
jobs.
They've
got
families.
They've
got
a
lot
of
as
I
as
I,
laugh
with
them.
They're
juggling
a
lot
of
balls
in
the
air
so
being
tied
down
to
having
to
come.
O
K
Thank
you
for
having
us
visit
with
you
this
morning.
It's
a
real
pleasure.
It's
always
good
to
come
and
chat
with
you,
and
we
appreciate
so
very
much
your
support
and
all
the
hard
decisions
that
you
have
to
make
right
all
the
different
things
that
you
deal
with
county-wide
and
we
really
appreciate
the
opportunity
to
share
with
you
and
and
letting
you
know
about
what
we're
we're
dealing
with
in
Asheville
City
schools
and
what
we're
asking
for
today.
K
K
All
right
go
ahead
and
move
to
the
first
one,
if
you
would
I
want
to
give
you
some
information
about
the
school
system
to
let
you
know
what
we
look
like
to.
Let
you
know
what
we're
dealing
with
to.
Let
you
know
of
our
successes
that
you
know
of
our
challenges
and
to
let
you
know
about
what
our
Board
of
Education,
which
I'm
not
sure
if
all
of
them
here
this
morning
haven't
looked
I.
Think
most
of
them
are
here
this
morning
and
I.
Thank
them
for
that
support.
K
K
At
the
same
time,
they're
trying
to
find
someone
to
place
me-
and
they
are
on
schedule
with
that
and
May
announce
that
I
think
within
the
next
week
or
so
and
they're
on
schedule
for
a
new
person
to
come
on
July
1st,
but
I've,
very
much
enjoyed
being
with
the
school
system
for
the
last
year
and
getting
to
know
some
of
you
better
than
I
knew
you
before.
So
so.
Thank
you
for
that.
I
appreciate
your
support.
Our
school
system,
as
student
population
is
61
percent
white.
K
If
you
look
at
the
black
you'll
see
it's
17.3
and
that
fares
fate
compares
favorably,
but
what
our
student
population
of
black
students
are.
But
if
you
look
at
that
in
terms
of
whether
it's
classified
or
certified
staff
or
folks
who
work
directly
with
students
in
the
classroom,
it's
nowhere
near
where
it
should
be,
and
we
know
that
we
know
the
supply
is
not
readily
available.
K
As
far
as
minority
teachers,
but
we're
working
very
very
hard
to
try
to
recruit
all
that,
we
can
to
do
that
because
we
we
believe
that
students
need
role
models
that
look
like
them,
there's
a
lot
of
research.
That
shows
that
that's
that
really
helps
students
succeed,
yeah,
let's
talk
about
what
finding
success
looks
like
in
Asheville,
City,
Schools,.
K
We
had
it
up
to
about
60
percent
and
a
study
came
along
under
the
leadership
of
President
Ronald
Reagan
called
Nation
at
risk,
and
that
study
said
if
our
school,
our
schools
are
so
bad
if
they
were
a
foreign
Nation,
we'd
declare
war
on
them
and
that
really
spurred
a
lot
of
efforts
and
a
lot
of
change
that
continued,
so
No
Child,
Left
Behind
and
some
things
would
happen
with
that,
and
every
state
has
made
great
progress.
Every
school
system
has
made
great
progress,
but
Asheville
school
system
has
really
made
some
great
progress.
K
This
93.5
percent
is
it's
not
amazing,
it's
not
whoever
you
want
to
be,
but
it's
really
moving
in
the
right
direction.
I'm
graduating
all
of
our
students-
and
this
is
graduated
within
four
years-
coming
into
9th
grade
four
years
later-
graduating.
Let's
look
at
the
subgroups,
because
this
is
where
some
of
the
real
information
shows
for
you.
This
is
comparing
Asheville
City
Schools
with
the
state
of
North
Carolina,
again
93.5
percent
for
all
of
our
students,
Statewide
it's
86.4
percent.
K
K
Statewide
is
83.4
percent
our
Hispanic
population,
more
than
95
percent
of
our
Hispanic
population,
is
graduating
in
four
years:
Statewide,
that's
80.2
percent
or
multi-racial
group,
82.8
percent.
That's
the
only
area
that
we're
below
the
state
level
the
state
is
83.5.
So
that's
a
very
small
difference.
K
Our
white
students
are
graduating
at
a
rate
in
excess
of
95
percent
state
level.
That's
89.9
percent,
and
these
next
two
are
absolutely
amazing.
Our
economically
disadvantaged
students.
These
are
our
students
from
poverty
backgrounds,
we're
graduating
86.2
percent
of
those
students
in
four
years,
Statewide,
that's
only
66.9
percent
and
for
our
students
with
disabilities.
K
We're
graduating
90
percent
of
those
students
in
four
years
in
high
school
Statewide,
that's
71
percent,
so
someone
is
doing
some
really
really
good
work.
We
have
some
great
teachers.
We
have
some
great
leaders.
Good
work
is
being
done
in
our
schools
earlier
this
year.
There's
a
company
called
niche.com.
K
The
fourth
one
turned
me
down,
so
thanks
again,
we're
also
very
fortunate.
We
have
the
western
region
principal
of
year
this
year,
fika
Cobb
at
Jones,
Elementary,
School,
she's,
absolutely
fantastic.
That's
for
all
of
our
principals
I'll.
Have
the
pleasure
going
to
Raleigh
next
week
for
the
state,
presentations
and
state
winner.
I
will
not
be
surprised
if
we
come
home
with
that.
So
that's
the
caliber
folks
that
we
have
leaded
leading
our
schools.
K
K
Also,
we
know
that
extracurricular
activities
involve
students
are
very,
very
important
in
their
growth
nature.
Also
just
did
a
rating
of
all
the
high
schools
in
North,
Carolina,
300
I.
Think
it's
between
three
and
four
hundred
high
schools
in
North
Carolina.
They
ranked
Asheville
high
schools
having
the
15th
best
athletic
program
in
North
Carolina,
that's
based
upon
wins
and
participation
and
just
a
number
of
different
factors,
but
it
means
a
lot
of
students
are
involved
in
having
a
lot
of
success,
so
we're
very,
very
proud
of
that.
K
Other
other
highlights
the
high
school
level,
our
girls
and
boys
indoor
track
team
of
both
Conference
champions.
This
year,
our
girls,
basketball
team
was
co-conference
champions,
yeah
Middle
School,
our
wrestling
team,
our
conference
champions
and
our
football
team
was
Conference
champions
and
undefeated
so
great
success
at
both
levels.
We
also
have
a
other
fantastic
areas.
K
The
students
are
involved
in
our
Band
program,
music
program
being
one
of
those
our
our
high
school
band
this
year,
Place
more
students
into
the
district
bands
and
All-State
band
than
any
other
District
in
Western,
North
Carolina,
not
any
other
high
school,
but
any
other
District
total
in
Western
North
Carolina.
We
had
more
than
80
students
from
Asheville
City
Schools,
who
made
all
District
Band
most
high
school
bands.
Don't
have
that
many
students
in
them
nine
students
made
the
All-State
ban
again
tremendous
accomplishments
and
achievements.
K
Okay,
our
Asheville
High
School
salsa,
culinary
and
Hospitality
students
won
first
place
in
the
state,
competition
and
I
think
they
just
returned
from
Washington
DC,
but
they've
been
involved
in
the
national
competition,
our
Middle
School
Battle
of
the
books
team,
with
our
regional
Champions
and
they're
getting
ready
to
be
in
state
competition.
Also
Avid.
This
is
a
wonderful
program
if
you're
not
familiar
with
Avid
stands
for
advancement
via
individual
determination.
K
This
is
a
program
the
students
can
become
involved
in
in
the
sixth
grade
and
be
involved
in
it
all
the
way
through
High
School
and
is
primarily
directed
students
who
come
backgrounds
for
and
most
likely
would
not
go
to
college
and
where
they
many
cases
would
not
graduate
from
from
high
school.
We
have
311
students
involved
in
this
program.
K
This
year's
senior
group,
which
I
had
a
pleasure
of
being
a
third
award
ceremony
last
week,
40
42
large,
that's
the
largest
Avid
senior
class.
We've
ever
had
76
of
those
graduating
average
students
are
going
to
four-year
colleges
and
almost
all
of
them
on
some
kind
of
financial
aid.
Most
of
the
rest
of
them
will
be
going
to
community
colleges.
K
Asheville
City
Schools
is
among
the
highest
academic,
achieving
school
systems
in
North
Carolina.
Now,
most
of
the
time,
what
we
talk
about
is
the
fact
that
we
have
gaps
in
achievement
and
we
really
admit
that
we
do.
We've
chatted
some
about
that
before,
when
we've
been
together
and
I've
done
extensive.
Looking
at
it,
every
one
of
our
minority
subgroups
have
a
gap
in
comparison,
our
white
students
and-
and
we've
looked
at
those-
it's
also
extremely
common
in
every
Urban
system
in
the
United
States.
It's
not
a
bit
unusual.
K
K
We
look
at
two
two
terms
in
terms
of
where
students
are
performing.
One
of
those
is
called
proficiency.
That
is
where
students
score
on
the
state
test
and
there
are
levels
that
are
set
and
they
reach
a
certain
level
and
that's
considered
proficiency
and
there's
levels
above
that
there
are
levels
below
that.
Efficiency
is
an
artificial
number.
K
K
They
did
not
have
state
tests,
so
they
had
to
develop
those
things
and
they
had
to
establish
cut
scores
as
to
where
students
will
considered
efficiency.
Now
the
way
North
Carolina
First
did
it
was
North.
Carolina
actually
started
doing
this
back
in
the
80s
well
before
child
No,
Child,
Left,
Behind,
and
how
North
Carolina
did
it
initially?
Was
they
asked
school
systems
to
name,
for
example,
their
their
best
third
grade
teachers
and
they
hired
a
bunch
of
those
third
grade
best
third
grade
teachers,
and
they
had
them.
K
Look
at
the
test
results
of
third
grade
students-
and
they
said
knowing
or
third
grader
should
be-
is
a
score
for
this
student.
Does
that
look
like
grade
level
two
and
that's
where
they
come
up,
came
up
with
those
numbers
and
they
set
that
score.
So
it's
totally
artificial.
It
may
be
right.
It
may
not
be
right
in
North
Carolina.
It
has
been
changed
seven
times
by
our
legislature.
Every
time
they
said
it.
School
systems
react
to
it
and
start
meeting
it
and
getting
higher
percentages.
K
They
say
this
must
be
too
easy,
so
they
raise
it
and
that's
happened
over
and
over
in
North
Carolina.
So
what
you
have
then,
is
you
have
an
artificial
number.
You
also
need
to
understand
and
I've
looked
extensively
at
all
of
our
minority
groups
as
to
the
issues
all
of
them
are
dealing
with
poverty.
That's
one
of
the
overriding
issues.
It's
not
the
only
one.
There
are
many
other
different
ones
and
they're
different
ones.
K
Depending
upon
the
subgrid,
for
example,
black
students
have
some
different
situations
than
the
Hispanic
than
to
Mo
and
do
multi-racial,
and
you
have
to
look
at
all
those
factors.
Most
of
these
subgroups
when
they
come
to
us
in
kindergarten
they're
about
two
years
behind
where
they
should
be
starting
kindergarten.
K
We
look
at
another
term,
called
growth.
That's
how
much
a
student
where
they
start
at
first
of
the
year.
What
kind
of
progress
do
they
make
during
the
year?
And
we
get
that
kind
of
information
from
two
sources:
one's
called
evos
that
comes
from
the
state
testing.
That's
a
process
that
takes
where
they
are
in
a
statistical
process.
It
evaluates
and
shows
where
they
should
be
going,
that
growth
factor
and
I'm
going
to
share
some
information
with
you
about
growth.
K
K
What
you
have
to
look
at
is
what's
happening
with
those
children
every
year.
Are
we
taking
them
where
they
are?
Are
we
giving
them
good
instruction?
Are
we
providing
extra
programs
like
summer
school
and
after
school,
tutoring
and
all
those
kinds
of
things
which
we're
doing?
Are
we
moving
them?
Are
we
moving
them
and
I
would
suggest
that
in
the
future
you
really
set
goals
based
upon
where
students
are
when
they're
coming
in
and
what
kind
of
progress
is
being
made
during
the
year
residential.
Look
just
looking
at
one
cut
score
on
a
test.
K
Okay,
I
won't
be
here
to
follow
that
up,
but
that's
where
I
would
suggest
you
guys
and
I've
never
talked
to
any
educator.
That
will
not
tell
you
that
of
those
two
factors.
Growth
is
by
far
the
most
important
by
far
okay,
some
information
for
you.
This
is
from
last
year's
State
testing
data
Lucy
s
Herring
elementary
schools.
Overall
growth
score
was
the
fourth
highest
among
elementary
schools
in
the
western
region.
K
Lucy
s
Herring
and
RB.
Jones
had
the
second
and
the
fifth
highest
math
growth
of
all
elementary
schools
in
western
region,
Lucius,
Herring,
IRB
Jones
met
or
exceeded
growth
for
all
subgroups.
Every
subgroup
exceeded
growth,
okay,
Asheville
High,
School,
Asheville,
Middle,
School,
Paul,
Fletcher,
Elementary,
School,
Montford,
North,
Star,
Academy
and
Selsa
met
growth
for
all
subgroups.
K
Black
students
system-wide
met
growth
at
every
school,
whether
that
was
available.
I,
don't
think
you
knew
that.
Did
you
black
students
in
every
school
met
growth
last
year
across
all
schools.
Overall
proficiency
rates
increased
from
last
year
and
42
of
59
EOG
or
EOC
tested
areas
and
Asheville
City
Schools
ranked
seventh
in
the
state
in
our
eighth
act
composite
score.
That's
the
test
they
take
to
qualify
for
college,
okay,.
K
M
class
is
an
assessment
system
that
is
teacher
administered,
it's
required
and
given
in
every
school
system
in
North
Carolina
also
extensively
nationally,
so
you've
got.
You
can
get
some
comparisons,
but
it
measures
this
measurement
of
reading
students
from
each
reading,
reaching
the
benchmarks
that
we've
set
for
them,
and
we
do
this
in
kindergarten
first,
second
and
third
grade
and
are
tested
at
the
beginning
of
the
year
when
they
come
in
and
then
to
meet
you
to
see
what
kind
of
growth
they're
getting.
K
If
you
look
at
kindergarten
at
the
beginning
of
the
year,
our
students,
32
percent
of
them
when
they
came
into
kindergarten,
were
meeting
Benchmark
benchmark
off
to
the
right.
The
middle
of
the
year
that
has
increased
to
57
percent
second
grade
first
grade
was
37
percent.
At
the
beginning
of
the
year,
that's
increased
at
millier.
62
percent
second
grade
has
gone
from
52
percent
to
60
percent,
and
the
third
grade
has
gone
from
57
to
60.
K
again
significant
growth
among
these
students,
a
lot
of
teachers,
a
lot
of
folks
working
very
hard
to
achieve
this,
and
we're
very
proud
of
this
okay
staff
salaries.
I
want
to
talk
a
little
bit
about
that.
Also
how
you've
heard
it
from
everyone
has
presented
to
you
today
and
you'll
you'll
hear
it
in
every
presentation
that
you
have
to
go
ahead
and
shift
to
the
name.
K
E
K
I
have
folks
who
are
doing
dual
Duty
instructional
assistants,
who
also
Drive
buses,
we're
working
16,
70
hours
a
week,
custodians
who
are
doing
the
same
thing
who
are
working
60
or
70
hours
a
week.
You
can
only
do
that
so
long.
You
know
I
worry
seriously
about
their
health.
We
need
to
get
out
of
some
of
that
situation.
K
Our
goal
is
to
take
our
classified
play
at
a
minimum
to
twenty
dollars
an
hour
this
next
year.
You've
seen
the
statistics,
you
know
those
numbers,
I
don't
have
to
justify
those
to
you.
We've
seen
them
they're
hitting
hitting
everyone,
but
for
us
to
be
able
to
compete.
That's
what
we're
we're
having
to
compete
for
our
folks
to
be
able
to
have
a
living
wage,
that's
what
it's
going
to
take
to
do
it,
and
that
is
one
of
our
board's
goals
for
next
year
in
the
budget.
K
We
compete
with
other
systems
in
North
Carolina
and
we
compete
with
systems
across
the
southeastern
United
States,
as
we
hire
folks,
and
we
found
ourselves
this
year
having
people
from
other
states
who
we
normally
would
have
probably
hired
burn
down
our
offers
because
they
were
making
more
money
in
other
other
states
and
North
Carolina
used
to
not
be
in
this
situation,
but
we
are
now
so
I
I've
done
a
good
bit
of
research.
These
are
the
latest
numbers
most
of
the
states
in
the
Southeast.
Not
most
of
us.
K
K
This
current
year
is
51
646
dollars
and
Georgia
has
just
passed
legislation
that
will
increase
beginning
teacher
salary
Statewide
by
two
thousand
dollars
next
year:
okay,
Florida
48
000,
starting
there's
legislation
in
Florida
right
now,
I,
don't
know
whether
pass
or
not
that
would
take
beginning
salary
next
year
to
55
000.
in
Florida.
Virginia
is
46
267.,
Louisiana,
46
100
and
we
used
to
say
thank
God
for
Mississippi
they're
below
us
and
everything
now
they're
starting
South
is
45
500.
K
Greenville
South
Carolina.
We
compete
with
heavily
for
teachers,
forty
five
thousand
seventy
five
dollars,
Lexington
Kentucky
44106
Alabama.
We
also
used
to
say
thank
God
for
Alabama
forty
three
thousand
three,
fifty
eight
and
the
North
Carolina
average
is
forty
thousand
five,
fifty
nine
and
we're
slightly
below
that
at
forty
thousand
three
Thirty
and
West
Virginia
thank
God
for
West,
Virginia,
thirty,
nine
thousand
and
fifty
five.
So
how
do
we
look
in
North
Carolina
again,
comparing
us
with
similar
kinds
of
systems
economically?
K
Funding
requests
to
you
is
to
deal
with
these
budget
challenges
and
our
board
I
want
to
again
commend
them.
They
have
put
in
hours
looking
at
budget
issues
looking
at
potential
reductions
looking
at
needs,
looking
at
what
the
party
should
be
and
talking
about
all
of
these
different
issues
and
and
you're,
not
they're
unanimous
in
what
they've
come
up
with.
So
please
understand
that
they're
not
split,
it's
not
six
one,
it's
not
four,
three,
it's
a
solid
7-0
and
where
they
are
and
what
they
think
is
important.
K
Meeting
the
living
wage
for
classified
folks
competing
for
teachers
in
the
Southeast
and
in
North
Carolina
matching
mandated
State
salary
increases
the
house
budget
just
passed
as
a
4.25
plus
a
step
for
for
all
employees.
So
we
we
have
to
match
that
locally
and
we
have
233
I,
believe
that's
locally
paid.
Folks
matching
mandated
benefit
increases
in
the
areas
of
medical
insurance
and
retirement
benefits,
reduction
in
state
funding.
We
will
lose
some
students
issued
on
what
the
file
number
is
going
to
be.
K
K
We
are
proposing
two
two
ways
to
meet
these
salary
increases.
One
is
through
some
additional
dollars
that
would
flow
to
the
classified
salary
schedule.
The
other
piece
of
it
would
be
increases
in
our
supplement,
which
covers
all
employees
in
Asheville,
City
Schools.
Not
every
school
system
does
that,
but
we
have
the
same
supplement
schedule
for
classified
as
well
as
certified.
K
Our
board
has
a
history
of
believing
that
everyone
should
be
treated
the
same,
and
you
can
disagree
with
that
or
ask
questions
about
it,
but
that's
their
position,
that's
where
they
prefer
to
stay
from
zero
to
four
years
experience
a
current
supplements,
nine
percent.
This
would
go
to
16
percent
and
you
can
see
the
corresponding
each
range
going
up
by
seven
points.
Okay,.
K
Other
budget
adjustments,
our
board
did
look
at
a
lot
of
areas
that
I
gave
them
information
about
and
they
decided
on
some
reductions
in
three
areas:
some
small
school
staff
adjustments.
They
do
not
want
to
touch
Steering
facing
positions
if
they
can
help
it.
But
there
were
some
areas,
especially
middle
school,
but
numbers
are
down
that
they.
You
know.
K
Some
reductions
could
be
made
central
office
staff
adjustments
and
and
Personnel
362
thousand
dollars
and
the
other
central
office
adjustments
and
that's
in
areas
of
things
like
travel,
professional
development,
special
events,
expenses,
those
kind
of
areas,
535
000.,
so
the
board
did
make
a
really
good
effort
and
made
a
reduction
of
one
million
one
hundred
thirty
one
thousand
three
hundred
eighty
seven
dollars
in
the
budget
before
they
began
to
look
at
the
other
numbers.
Okay,
so
we're
making
a
few
requests
for.
K
K
K
Local
current
expense.
That's
that's
the
big
area.
This
is
what
we
expect
before
any
requests
for
increases
the
sales
tax.
It
comes
to
us
4.7
million
over
7
million
accounting,
appropriate
allocation
16.8.
That
is
what
you
gave
us
last
year,
plus
the
1.5
commitment
on
the
sound
increases
that
you
did
to
both
most
school
systems
and
then
supplemental
tax
requesting
13
million
three
hundred
thirteen
thousand
nine
Twenty
Eight,
and
that
includes
the
tax
increase.
K
K
If
you
go
to
2024
to
do
the
things
that
were
requested,
that
would
go
to
Thirty
little
30
million
the
other
things
at
the
bottom.
Other
areas,
you'll
notice,
there's
no
increase.
We've
held
those
areas
steady
so,
but
the
total
would
go
from
34.9
million
to
slightly
over
42
2
million
and
if
you
take
out
the
revenues
from
that
that
we
projected
the
fund
balance
that
our
board
has
subjected
to
use.
K
Okay
and
that's
showing
that
same
same
thing
again
and
again,
if
the
increase
in
supplemental
tax
has
not
increased,
that
would
increase
by
1.7
million,
also
you're,
very
generous
and
given
some
additional
money
with
the
school
Community
impact
funding,
we
want
to
make
sure
we
report
it
to
you
on
that
12
500
of
that
flows
to
Asheville
City
schools,
and
we
use
that
for
play
safe
models
for
our
elementary
playgrounds,
and
we're
very
very
very
appreciative
of
that.
Thank
you
for
doing
that.
K
J
Commissioners
sure
doc,
doctors,
you
have,
you-
have
salute
breakfast
actual
City
Schools
in
the
five
minutes
or
so
that
you
spoke
about
proficiency
versus
growth.
I've
learned
more
about
it
in
those
few
minutes
than
I
have
Sitting
through
now,
five
budget
work
sessions
with
our
school
districts.
So
thank
you
for
that,
and
these
are
suppertime
conversations
at
my
home,
as
you
will.
F
J
From
you
not
only
today,
but
over
the
past
year,
first
I
want
to
say:
I
am
Beyond
understanding
and
sympathetic
to
the
needs
of
our
School
Employees.
When
my
husband
first
started
teaching
in
Asheville
City
Schools,
our
monthly
grocery
budget
was
200.
That's
all
we
had
I
still
remember
having
to
tell
my
child.
J
J
And
it's
going
to
make
the
Buncombe
County
Commissioners,
be
the
bad
guys
in
this
situation,
and
that
is
not
a
great
place
to
be
and
I
want
that
to
be
heard.
From
my
perspective
that
the
bug
has
been
passed
to
us
now
on
these
decisions,
because
after
sitting
and
watching
two
different
school
board
meetings,
now
the
largest
requests
were
approved
by
your
school
board
to
come
to
us
to
have
to
determine
what
we
can
feasibly
do
within
our
current
tax
structure.
J
With
that
said,
what
other
efficiencies
and
cost
savings
are
on
the
table?
Should
you
have
to
go
back
and
make
those
decisions
we
look
at
the
ADM
enrollment
is
down.
We
know,
there's
one
school
in
particular,
who
two
schools
who
are
not
at
capacity
in
terms
of
students
within
the
building.
We
also
know
that
one
school
has
an
eighteen
thousand
dollar
per
people
expenditure
when
that
is
far
above
the
rest
of
the
districts
per
pupil
expenditure.
So
are
there
conversations
about
what
to
do
if
these
requests
cannot
be
met?
That's
my
first
question.
J
J
They
are
supportive
of
the
twenty
dollars
and
ten
cents
increase
for
classified
staff,
but
what
they
say
where
no
one
else
can
hear
them
is
that
puts
their
salaries
above
mine
as
a
beginning
year
teacher
as
a
first
year
teacher
and
they're
afraid
to
bring
that
forward.
So
how
do?
How
does
that
also
get
addressed
and
rectified
in
this
situation?
When
we
know
and
I
hear
loud
and
clear,
they
don't
want
excuses
about
the
county
and
the
state.
The
North
Carolina
General
Assembly
sets
these
salary
rates.
J
K
You
want
two
answers.
Yes
well
on
your
first
question,
based
upon
whatever
this
board
does
we
will
we
will
look
at
adjustments?
We'd
have
no
choice,
but
to
do
that,
we've
already
discussed
a
lot
of
them.
The
board
has
a
lot
of
information
on
different
potential
options.
They
don't
like
any
of
them,
but
that
you
know
we'll
we'll
react
to
whatever
this
board
decides.
K
You
know
many
times.
Great
progress
is
made
only
with
bold,
bold
moves
and
bold
statements.
Our
board
does
not
believe
they're
requesting
anything
that
is
not
needed
and
I.
Don't
think
that
in
any
way
intended
to
try
to
shift
the
blame
to
anyone,
it's
a
it's
a
process
of
going
through
and
looking
at
needs
identifying.
Those
needs
coming
to
the
group,
the
body
that
does
control
the
funding
and
making
making
the
case,
and
then
you
you
make
the
decision
on
it.
K
You
know
I'm
a
bit
I'm
a
big
boy,
I've
been
doing
budgets
for
over
30
years.
Sometimes
I
got
what
I
asked
most
of
the
times:
I
didn't,
but
I
always
adjusted
to
whatever
that
was
and
went
went
forward
with
it.
As
far
as
the
the
discussion
or
the
statements
about
classified
staff,
getting
to
the
point
of
being
making
more
than
beginning
teachers,
that
could
be
the
case.
If
we
don't
do
the
supplement
increases.
That's
partly
why
the
supplement
increases
there
is
to
to
do
more
than
that.
N
A
S
R
R
R
Q
R
K
R
Okay
last
question:
I
I
plan
on
asking
both
districts
and
I
I
only
ask
it
because
it's
something
I
worry
about
and
that's
just
that's
student
retention,
a
recruitment
which
is
a
weird
word
to
say
out
loud
in
in
respect
to
elementary
school,
but
I.
Guess
how
do
you
think
about
that?
And
what
kind
of
steps
have
you
guys
taken
over
the
last
year?
Well,.
K
There's
there's
a
there's
a
some
a
lot
of
unnatural
decrease
in
student
population
in
the
district
anyway,
simply
because
of
families
are
not
having
as
many
children
they're,
also
some
middle
class
families
who
are
moving
away.
There's
no
housing
going
up
yeah.
So
there's
some
reasons
for
that
and
the
choice
you
know
the
legislature
is
doing
more
and
more
to
entice
people
away
from
public
schools
if
same
with
the
latest
bill
is
vouchers
for
families
who
have
children
in
private
school.
K
Now,
that's
the
next
big
big
pot
of
money
there's
all
of
that
will
be
a
loss
of
certain
families
from
public
schools.
You
know,
so
we
could
talk
all
day
about
that.
We
we
do
also
accept
our
district
students.
We
have
significant
number
of
those.
It
looks
like
that's
going
to
be
up
this
next
year.
We
get
a
lot
of
students
from
outside
the
district
and
elementary
schools
and
High
School.
E
K
R
I
Just
at
a
more
personal
amendment,
I
have
like
many
in
the
room:
I
have
a
kiddo
in
National,
City
schools
and
each
and
every
day
see
what
this
data
tells
at
a
macro
level.
I
see
that
playing
out
at
the
at
the
individual
level
in
terms
of
how
people
are
showing
up
to
serve
our
kids,
so
I
just
want
to
appreciate
that
and
I
also.
I
You
know
when
we're
talking
about
kind
of
granular
level,
budgetary
decisions,
it's
a
very
practical
that
kind
of
numbers
driven
conversation,
but
I
just
think.
It's
really
important
that
our
community
is
having
a
very
clear-eyed
forthright
discussion
about
the
extraordinary
pressure.
That's
being
put
on
every
community
in
North
Carolina
by
what
I
would
phrase
at
this
point,
the
dereliction
of
Duty
we're
seeing
from
the
legislature
when
you
cross-reference
the
slides
of
beginning
teacher
salaries
in
the
Southeast
at
North
Carolina,
you
see
the
hard
work.
I
Local
communities
are
doing
to
try
to
kind
of
get
our
heads
above
water,
so
to
speak.
The
reality
is
that
there
is
no
substitute
for
leadership
from
the
state
and
despite
vast
reserves
and
Court
mandates
to
release
landro
funding,
that
funding
is
stuck
and
I.
Think
we
need
to
be
clear
excited
about
the
fact
that
there's
no
nothing
to
imminently
suggest
it
will
move
in
ways
that
will
provide
relief
to
people
on
the
front
lines
of
this
work
or
move
the
needle
in
the
ways
we
need
to
in
North,
Carolina
and
I.
I
Think
it's
just
critically
important,
as
we
have
these
conversations,
that
we
are
having
a
very
honest
forthright
discussion
about
what
that
means
for
local
communities
and
specifically
the
decisions
that
we
as
elected
officials
at
the
county
level,
will
need
to
make,
but
also
the
implications
for
local
residents,
many
of
whom
are
involved
in
school
systems.
Many
of
whom
are
not,
and
what
this
comes
down
to
at
the
end
of
the
day
is
whether
we're
ready
to
raise
taxes
to
fund
things
that
there
is
an
extraordinarily
strong
argument
for
funding.
I
I,
don't
know
where
that
conversation
is
going
to
land
at
this
point,
but
that's
the
conversation
that
we're
having
and
I
think
we
just
need
to
say
it
as
plainly
as
possible.
The
state
is
not
doing
what
the
state
ought
to
be
doing
it's
putting
extraordinary
pressure
and
duress
on
every
community
in
our
state,
and
here
in
Buncombe
County.
We
have
to
decide
how
we
are
going
to
respond
to
that,
and
it's
not
a
question
just
of
today
or
this
budget
cycle.
It
was
it's
been
a
question
for
many
years.
I
I
At
this
point,
unless
some
other
entity
decides
that
they
want
to
start
pouring
Revenue
into
these
systems,
that's
not
a
fever
dream.
Those
are
those
entities
exist.
At
this
point,
they
haven't
made
the
decision
to
start
allocating
money
to
our
local
school
systems,
but
I
always
think
everything
should
be
on
the
table
until
we
know
it's
off
the
table,
all
that
to
say
as
a
Prelude
to
you
know,
the
conversations
we'll
be
having
in
the
weeks
ahead.
I
People
are
going
to
hurt
if
we
raise
taxes
and
people
are
going
to
hurt
if
we
don't-
and
we
have
very
hard
decisions
ahead
of
us
about
how
to
respond
to
that
challenge
and
what
to
do
about
it.
So
I
just
want
you
to
know
that
I
see
very
clearly
what
you
all
have
been
doing.
I
appreciate
it
it's
what
our
community
has
needed,
it's
what
our
kids
need,
it's
what
teachers
and
staff
need
and
the
same
message
to
Buncombe
County
Schools.
I
You
all
have
been
doing
exactly
the
same
work
and
I,
see
and
appreciate
that
and
I
hope
we
can
all
stay
at
the
table
together
and
lean
in
together,
because
the
decisions
ahead
are
not
easy
ones
and
they
are
going
to
have
tough
implications
for
people
in
our
community.
No
matter
what
we
do.
Thank
you.
T
I
always
make
the
mistake
of
speaking
after
Jasmine,
which
is
something
I'm
learning
I
should
not
do
just
put
it
perfectly
just
to
Echo
some
of
that.
In
my
experience
for
these
past
few
months
of
being
on
commission,
it's
been
great
to
hear
from
a
lot
of
folks
I
recognize
we
we've
had
this
looming
on
the
horizon
and
I
would
Echo
the
idea
of
us.
Looking
at
this
long
term,
I'm
a
multi-year
thinker,
that's
just
easier
for
me
to
digest
and
I
think
we're
having
the
right
conversations
around.
T
What
funding
can
look
like
and
should
look
like
and
just
projecting
out
what
that's
going
to
mean
for
us
not
just
this
year,
but
going
forward.
I
think
would
be
helpful
conversation
for
our
community
and
us
as
we're
working
collaboratively
in
the
space
I.
Don't
think
anyone
disagrees
on
our
priorities,
it's
just
the
mechanisms
by
which
we
get
there
and
how
quickly
we
can
serve
the
kids,
which
is
ultimately
what
we
all
care
about.
U
I
think
we're
at
a
really
I
love
the
inflection
point
we're
at
right
now,
as
both
Buncombe
County
schools
and
national
city
schools
welcome
County
with
their
new
superintendent
Asheville
City.
Well,
we
hope
to
be
able
to
announce
in
the
next
few
weeks
with
our
new
superintendent
and
the
conversations
that
we
can
have
driving
us
forward.
U
You've
spoken
very
eloquently
to
the
to
what,
as
you
heard,
one
of
the
Educators
say
that
this
this
dichotomy
that
we
have
between
what
the
state
is
doing
or
is
failing
to
do,
and
the
pressure
that
puts
on
County
Commissioners
and
each
school
district,
and
so
it's
never
been
Our
intention
to
come
forth
and
say
that
we're
passing
the
buck
to
you
all
to
to
do
this.
But
we
recognize
right
now,
as
you've
heard
from
AV
Tech
as
actually
there
was
a
slide
earlier
on.
U
The
needs
of
our
community
have
changed
drastically
through
coven.
So,
even
if
we're
seeing
ADM
going
down
that
doesn't
mean
that
we're
not
seeing
needs
go
down
as
well,
and
so
the
the
board
in
these
conversations
and
I
appreciate
that
Council
I'm
sorry,
the
Commissioners
have
been
watching
our
conversations.
U
U
Yes,
at
this
moment,
it's
a
big
ask,
but
also
that
we
are
as
a
community
talking
about
what
does
this
look
like
two
years
from
now,
three
years,
five
years,
ten
years
from
now,
and
this
ongoing
conversation
about
how
we
can
all
as
a
collective
bond
together
to
support
Asheville
City
schools
in
Brooklyn
County
Schools.
So
we
thank
you
for
that.
The
time
to
hear
where
we're
from.
A
D
Q
Yeah,
okay
I
did
I
want
to
thank
you.
You
know
this
is
my
seventh
year
the
budget
and
we're
getting
better
at
it
every
year.
Dealing
with
well
I
hope
something
that
Jasmine
touched
on
and
we
all
understand
as
Commissioners
we're
being
put
right
in
the
middle.
Above
us,
we
have
a
state
legislature
that
builds
up
six
billion
dollars
in
Surplus.
They
pass
the
lottery
Bill
saying
that
all
of
it
will
go
to
schools.
Q
They
take
out
of
that,
and
you
give
us
this,
and
we've
got
to
also
manage
our
tax
taxes,
because
our
constituents
are
being
pushed
too.
They
live
in
Buncombe
County
and
the
City
of
Asheville.
So
if
it's
a
tough,
it's
a
tough
ask
and
I
think
what
Jasmine
did
a
good
job
of
saying
and
I,
probably
will
even
be
a
little
hard
on.
That
is
that
we've
got
to
make
hard
decisions.
Folks,
where
we
like
it
or
not,
and
going
forward.
Q
Q
You
know,
I
want
somebody
to
explain
to
me
I'm,
beginning
to
think
that
somewhere
without
some
magicians,
because
when
I
see
the
wide
achievement
Gap
we
have
in
the
city,
but
yet
and
still
I
see
the
graduation
rates
they
just
don't
add
to
me:
are
we
losing
these
students
or
what
I
that
I
I
think
some
of
that
has
been
misleading
to
me,
but
you'll
never
get
me
on
the
right
page.
Sad,
because
when
you
look
at
Chapel
Hill,
you
mentioned
there
how
great
they
are
in
Chapel,
Hill
and
Asheville.
Q
City
spend
more
money
than
any
two
school
systems
are
dead
in
the
state,
but
yet
still
they
both
have
large
wide
achievement
gaps.
Something
we're
doing
is
wrong.
You
know
we've
got
to
address
that
and
as
an
African-American
man,
I
continue
to
be
appalled
when
I
see
the
achievement
Gap.
It's
no
excuse
for
that.
When
you
look
at
the
money
we
spend,
we
have
the
tax
and
look
I've
lived
in
the
city
district
longer
than
a
lot
of
you've
been
alive
and
I
paid.
Q
Q
Who
look
like
me-
and
this
is
something
folks
I've
been
on
talking
about
since
I
was
15
years
old
with
a
score
here
in
Asheville,
and
it's
something
I
hope
will
be
solved
before
I
leave
this
earth,
but
I
doubt
it
seriously,
because
you
know
I
told
the
superintendents
this
earlier
and
I
still
see
I
question
a
few
people
even
know
how
to
address
or
solve
the
achievement
problem.
I,
don't
think
I'll
ever
see
it,
but
I
want
you
to
do
it,
but
these
are
tough
problems
for
us
back
to
what
we
got
to
do.
Q
But
we've
got
to
make
hard
decisions.
We've
got
to
be
adult
about.
We
can't
keep
everybody
happy.
We
can't
keep
two
middle
schools.
You've
got
North
saw
over
there
with
200
some
kids.
You've
got
Asheville
Middle
School
that
we
fought
for
when
I
was
on
the
school
board.
The
only
two
new
schools
you've
had
in
30
years,
and
it
only
has
what
about
less
than
600
kids
next
year,
but
yet
and
still
you're
going
to
have
two
new
two
middle
schools
and
it's
interesting
when
you
look
at
the
scores
in
the
two
middle
schools.
Q
We
need
more
health
with
employees,
but
also
question.
If
we
have
people
on
the
right
seat
of
the
bus,
is
it
that
we
need
more
employers
or
do
we
need
to
expect
more
from
an
employers
we
have
and
to
make
sure
that
the
people
we
have
are
the
Right
Mix
I,
don't
know,
but
I
will
tell
you
this
up
front.
It
will
be
hard
for
me
to
vote
for
a
tax
increase
when
I
look
at
what
the
people
in
this
County
are
going
through.
A
A
N
K
D
K
V
V
Madame
Vice
chair
members
of
the
commission.
Thank
you,
so
very
much
Madam
County
Manager
for
the
opportunity
to
spend
some
time
with
you
this
morning
to
share
with
you.
As
you
know,
I
have
just
finished
six
months
in
service
to
Buncombe
County
Schools.
It
is
an
incredible
blessing
now
in
my
10th
Year's
superintendent,
to
have
the
opportunity
to
return
home
to
serve
a
school
system
and
to
serve
in
a
county
that
has
poured
in
so
deeply
into
my
family
for
generations
and
I.
V
Very
much
appreciate
that
I've
just
completed
my
first
100
days.
Learning
and
listening
Adventure
I
had
the
opportunity,
after
spending
a
full
day
in
all
45
of
our
schools
and
addressing
all
of
our
six
municipality
town
councils
and
the
County
Commissioners
twice,
and
thank
you
for
that
opportunity.
V
Having
seven
Community
Town
Hall
meetings
across
Buncombe
County
and
really
doing
all
that
I
could
to
listen
and
learn
this
past
Thursday
night.
All
of
that
culminated
in
a
presentation
to
our
Board
of
Education
about
all
that
I
had
heard
and
learned
and
and
experienced
in
our
45
schools
and
I
can
tell
you
that
we
are
incredibly
blessed
in
Buncombe
County
to
be
served
by
two
great
school
systems.
Of
course,
I'm
referring
to
primarily
to
Buncombe
County
Schools,
Asheville,
City
Schools
is
amazing.
V
School
system
as
well
I
do
want
to
say
thank
you
to
commissioner
Whitesides
and
commissioner
Moore
for
being
there
last
Thursday
night
to
represent
the
County
Commissioners.
The
partnership
our
school
system
has
enjoyed
with
this
commission
is
absolutely
outstanding.
It's
a
point
of
Pride
for
our
school
system.
It's
something
that
my
predecessor,
Dr
Baldwin,
would
talk
about,
often
in
superintendent
meetings
at
the
state
level,
the
appreciation
that
he
had
for
Buncombe
County
for
all
that
the
county
has
done
for
the
school
system.
V
And
so
it's
an
honor
for
me
to
share
with
you
about
our
school
system.
I'd
like
to
share
very
very
briefly
from
all
of
that
time
that
I've
spent
in
our
school
system
getting
to
know
our
school
system,
some
strengths
and
opportunities,
one
of
the
greatest
strengths.
The
greatest
strength
in
our
school
system
is
our
students.
Our
students
are
absolutely
excelling
academically
artistically
and
athletically.
V
I
spent
a
lot
of
time
with
individual
students
and
groups
of
students
walking
through
their
buildings,
asking
them
questions
about
what
they
loved
best
in
our
school
system
and
what
should
ever
change
and
I
asked
them
if
they
were
principal
for
the
day.
What
would
they
change
in
their
school
and
the
answer
I
got
most
was
wouldn't
change
anything
I
love.
V
It
second
was
I'd
like
to
have
a
little
more
time
for
lunch
and
so
we'll
we'll
work
on
our
daily
schedules,
but
our
students
are
absolutely
amazing
and
it's
certainly
a
blessing
to
be
able
to
serve
them
every
single
day.
We
are
the
strength
of
our
faculty,
our
teachers
and
our
staff
members
are
what
we
offer
to
Buncombe
County
to
Children
and
Families.
Our
school
system
is
somewhat
uniquely
blessed
in
the
state
to
have
an
incredibly
experienced
staff.
We
know
that
I
know,
as
a
teacher.
I
was
much
better.
V
It
also
speaks
to
the
historical
decisions
this
commission
is
made
through
supporting
the
local
supplement,
as
I've
been
in
our
schools.
I
was
surprised
on
a
personal
level
by
the
number
of
teachers
we
have
who
live
outside
of
Buncombe
County,
but
who
travel
into
Buncombe
County
to
teach
in
our
schools
to
bring
their
talents,
their
experience
and
their
expertise
to
our
our
children.
V
The
local
supplement
is
a
draw
for
them,
and
so,
whichever
side
of
the
county
we
happen
to
be
on,
we
have
teachers
from
our
neighboring
counties
who
are
coming
in
and
so
that
helps
us.
As
you
know,
when
you've
heard
from
many,
we
have
an
educator
pipeline
issue
in
education
as
a
profession,
we
don't
have
enough
young
people
going
into
education.
We've
done
a
fabulous
job.
Talking
about
how
hard
it
is
to
be
a
teacher,
maybe
to
the
detriment
of
actually
having
new
teachers
come
into
the
profession.
V
So
we
have
to
do
a
better
job
of
talking
about
the
blessing
of
being
a
teacher.
We
also
have
incredibly
educated
teachers.
730
of
our
teachers
have
master's
degrees.
We
have
20
teachers
with
doctorates
who
are
teaching
in
classrooms.
311
of
our
teachers
have
national
board
certification,
and
so
all
of
that
experience
and
expertise
is
part
of
and
what
we
offer
to
our
students
and
we're
very
proud
of
that.
We're
proud
of
the
strengths
of
our
teachers,
I'm
extremely
proud
of
our
literacy
instruction.
V
This
is
one
area
that
I
hope
our
commissioners
talk
about,
often
because
it
should
be
and
and
is,
I
think
a
point
of
Pride
to
the
work
that
you've
done.
The
arts
program
in
Buncombe,
County
Schools,
is
almost
incomparable
across
the
state.
We've
mentioned
the
state
and
commissioner
Beech
for
our
I
appreciate
your
comments
earlier
about
what
the
state
is
or
more
likely
not
doing.
One
of
those
things
is
in
our
teacher
allotments.
V
V
I,
don't
know
if
it's
all
caused
by
the
pandemic
or
the
pandemic
revealed
a
lot
of
things
that
might
have
been
there
that
we
just
weren't
paying
attention
to,
but
we
have
seen
this
school
year
an
increase
in
aggressive
behaviors
in
our
schools,
an
increase
in
referrals
to
counselors,
and
so
this
data
is,
as
of
March.
31St
I'd
highlight
a
couple
of
things.
V
301
times
as
of
March
31st,
we
met
with
students
to
go
through
suicide
assessments,
where
students
were
literally
considering
whether
or
not
to
end
their
life,
because
the
pressure
was
so
hard
on
them
and
really.
This
slide
makes
real
all
of
the
conversation
where,
having
today
around
our
educational
institutions
throughout
the
county,
the
number
of
school-based
mental
health
referrals
592.
As
of
March
31st
in
preparation
for
today,
I
asked
for
our
current
number.
The
current
number
as
of
May
1st
is
1832.
V
That
include
incorporates
the
592,
but
it
also
incorporates
our
Mental
Health
Partners,
and
so
at
this
point
almost
well
1832
1832
referrals
for
mental
health
needs
in
Buncombe,
County
schools,
and
certainly
that's
one
of
the
great
opportunities
for
us
around
that
work.
The
school
system
is
finalizing
our
student
student,
our
code
of
student
conduct
that
code
student
code
of
student
conduct
excuse
me,
is
important
work
and
what
I
love
about
it
is
the
work
pair
supports
with
consequences
so
for
every
behavioral
choice.
V
There's
a
support,
so
the
student
is
less
likely
to
make
that
choice
again.
Certainly,
there
has
to
be
a
consequence,
but
we
want
to
make
sure
we're
supporting
our
students
as
they
grow
forward.
Our
administrators
have
gone
through
equity
and
social
justice
training
through
the
hunt
Institute
we're
growing
that
out
through
our
classrooms
to
continue
to
grow
our
ability
to
connect
with
our
students,
cultures,
languages
and
life
experiences
with
what
they
learn
in
school.
V
In
terms
of
opportunities.
The
thing
that
keeps
me
up
at
night
is
teacher
and
staff
retention.
I
mentioned
our
greatest
strength
is
our
teachers.
Our
teachers
are
who
we
are
without
our
teachers,
we're
not
offering
a
service
at
a
needed
service
to
our
community,
and
so
in
terms
of
trying
to
address
that
teacher
and
staff
for
attention-
and
this
goes
right
to
the
heart
of
commissioner
Beach
ferrara's
comments.
Earlier,
we've
been
working
on
our
advocacy,
our
passionate
advocacy
at
the
state
level
for
salary
and
benefits
increases.
N
V
Have
some
very
experienced
teachers
who
still
get
paid
for
their
master's
degree?
Most
of
our
teachers
do
not
restoring
longevity
pay,
which
traditionally
was
available
to
teachers
that
was
taken
away,
restoring
full
retirement
benefits
to
folks
we
hire
into
the
school
system
that
was
taken
away
for
folks
who
were
coming
into
the
school
system
in
2021
and
then
advocacy
for
full-time
permanent
substitute
teachers,
we've
seen
and
growth
in
the
need
for
substitute
teachers
that
may
be
a
reflection
of
teachers,
own
mental
health
and
well-being,
where
they
are
with
everything.
V
That's
going
on,
we've
seen
more
teacher
absences
and
so
a
full-time
permanent
substitute
teacher.
Not
only
it
helps
us
fill
the
classroom,
but
it
also
has
a
has
a
person
who's
aware
of
the
school's
culture,
because
they're
there
every
day
and
able
to
continue
the
instruction
going
forward.
The
advocacy
for
local
supplement
increase
and
we'll
talk
about
that
and
again
I
mentioned
how
much
we
appreciate
what
we
have
and
and
are
very
grateful
for.
That.
V
It's
not
only
making
sure
that
our
budget
requests
that
the
presentations
I
give
the
Board
of
Education
reflect
what
teachers
are
saying
and
have
said
to
me,
but
also
that
they
have
an
authentic
opportunity
to
lead
our
school
system,
and
so
we've
been
working
on
the
establishment
of
our
teacher
Leadership
Council
and
we're
looking
forward
to
Rolling
that
out
at
the
start
of
August.
So
we
have
a
teacher
from
every
school
who's
meeting
regularly
and
routinely
with
me,
so
we're
trying
to
make
class
decisions
at
the
district
level
as
close
to
our
classrooms
as
possible.
V
The
North
Carolina
teacher
working
condition
survey
that's
been
around
for
quite
a
while,
as
I
visited.
All
the
schools
I
allowed
the
school
to
set
the
schedule
for
the
day,
and
so
every
day
was
very
different.
I
asked
for
two
things:
one
was
at
the
end
of
the
day:
I
wanted
to
be
able
to
meet
with
all
of
our
staff
to
share
a
little
bit,
but
then
most
important
to
me
in
every
open
meeting.
V
I've
had
there's
always
an
opportunity
for
questions,
concerns
comments
and
compliments,
because
I
want
folks
to
have
the
opportunity
to
say
what
they
feel
like.
They
need
to
say
to
the
superintendent
so
that
we
can
address
that.
But
the
second
piece
was
to
meet
with
the
school
leadership
team
to
have
them
share
their
data
from
the
school
and
one
of
the
pieces.
I
required
was
a
report
on
the
North,
Carolina
teacher
working
condition
survey
and
what
the
school
is
doing
about
that.
V
Back
in
the
day
it
was
ESL
which
is
English
as
a
second
language.
Then
it
was
ell,
English
language,
Learners,
and
then
it
was
El
English
Learners,
currently
ml,
regardless
of
the
an
acronym
or
the
initials
we
put
before
it.
It's
students
who
have
not
mastered
the
English
language,
and
so
this
current
school
year
we
have
826
more
ml
students
in
our
school
system
than
we
did.
Last
year,
486
students
have
qualified
for
newcomer
Services,
those
486
students.
What
that
represents
are
students
who
cannot
speak
English.
V
The
largest
group
in
there
are
Hispanic
students,
though
we
do
have
a
large
group
of
Ukrainian
students.
We've
got
a
as
you're,
probably
well
aware,
a
large
Ukrainian
population
in
Buncombe
County,
and
so
we
have
students
not
only
struggling
with
learning
the
English
language
in
classrooms
to
be
educated,
but
many
of
those
students
have
come
through
trauma
to
be
here
in
our
classroom,
so
they
also
have
needs
around
mental
health
and
well-being
support
and
so
certainly
one
of
the
great
opportunities
in
our
school
system.
We
are
working
on
our
newcomer,
Support
Services.
V
There
was
a
service
called
a
newcomer
intake
Center
in
the
past
in
Buncombe
County
we're
looking
at
how
we
do
that
work
and
potentially
go
growing
back
to
that
in
a
way
that
meets
the
needs
of
our
students.
Growing
our
dual
language
programs,
we're
proud
of
our
dual
language
programs
across
Buncombe
County.
V
We
do
have
an
opportunity
around
school
support
this
current
year
in
our
45
schools,
22
of
our
principals
were
new
to
the
building.
Many
of
those
brand
new
principals
13
schools
in
the
school
system
were
designated
as
low
performing
I'm,
looking
forward
to
our
assessment
results
at
the
end
of
this
school
year,
because,
based
on
the
instruction
that
I've
witnessed
and
certainly
last
year's
data,
still
with
some
post-pandemic
issues
there,
but
I
really
see
that
number
going
way
down,
I'm
quite
proud
of
what
I'm,
seeing
in
structurally
in
our
schools
around
that
opportunity.
V
Certainly,
the
ongoing
leadership
development
for
our
current
administrators
is
incredibly
important.
Our
succession
plan
so
working
with
teachers
and
Educators,
who
may
be
interested
in
becoming
an
administrator.
So
we
can
build
that
pipeline
working
with
our
system
principles
and
then
something
that
Dr
Baldwin
had
been
working
on
and
held
back
during
the
pandemic.
V
Data
working
on
things
like
achievement,
gaps
working
on
things
like
how
is
this
school
doing
and
making
sure
that
every
single
student
in
our
school
system
achieves
the
moment,
the
moment
being
when
they
receive
the
high
school
diploma,
that
they've
earned
because
we
don't
give
it
away
and
they
take
the
next
step
and
whether
that
step
is
to
a
two-year
or
four-year
college
or
university
or
to
enlist
in
a
military
service
or
to
go
right
to
work.
That
they're
prepared
to
be
very
successful
for
that,
and
so
certainly
that's
a
growth
opportunity.
V
We
also
have
opportunities
around
enrollment.
That's
been
mentioned
earlier.
This
is
the
last
six
years
on
a
monthly
basis
in
Buncombe,
County
schools,
and
so
you
see
kind
of
pre-pand
endemic
and
then
pandemic,
certainly
that
loss
of
students,
and
so
if
I
might
I'd
like
to
pair
that
back
to
the
last
three
years
and
so
the
yellow
line,
a
little
harder
to
see
on
the
slide
is
this
current
year
and
then
you
have
our
month,
seven
numbers,
and
so
this
is
a
month
over
month.
V
V
Educators
are
actually
having
to
use
words
like
marketing
and
market
share,
and
when
we
go
to
school
to
be
teachers,
we
don't
talk
about
market
share
in
our
classes,
about
teaching
children
how
to
read,
but
we've
had
to
learn
that
work
and
we're
very
much
involved
in
that
work.
And
so,
as
I
arrived
at
the
first
principles
meeting,
we
talked
about
using
social
media
to
tell
the
amazing
stories
of
what's
happening
in
our
classrooms
and
in
our
schools,
because
amazing
things
are
happening.
V
We
recognize
that
that
when
parents
have
a
baby,
the
baby
is
the
most
precious
thing
in
the
world
to
them
and
they
want
the
very
best
for
their
child
and
I
believe
the
very
best
exists
in
our
school
system.
But
if
they
don't
know
that
they
may
choose
another
option
because
they
got
a
slick,
marketing
material
in
the
mailbox
or
they
saw
something
online.
V
One
of
the
things
to
a
question
that
was
asked
earlier,
I
believe
about
about
commissioner
Edwards
was
around.
What
are
we
going
to
do?
If
what
we've
asked
for
doesn't
come
to
fruition,
we've
been
working
to
kind
of
rebuild
the
entire
school
system.
What
would
it
look
like
if
we
had
zero
assistant
principles?
V
Where
would
we
assign
our
assistant
principles
based
on
academic
data
discipline,
data
number
of
staff
to
evaluate
number
of
students
in
the
building
and
each
area
doing
a
deep
analysis
to
ensure
that
we
have
the
folks
that
we
need
in
the
places
they
need
to
be?
And
if
there
are
opportunities
to
make
changes,
we
certainly
want
to
do
that
and
then
our
budget
cycle.
From
that
analysis,
we
go
on
to
develop
our
plans
and
facilitate
budget
approval,
implement
event
manage
and
then
continue
that
analysis,
and
so
that's
an
ongoing
process.
That's
not
a
yearly
process.
V
That's
an
ongoing
process.
The
chief
finance
officer
is
a
part
of
our
cabinet,
our
executive
leadership
team,
and
so
she
meets
with
me
in
the
cabinet
every
single
week
and
that's
very
important
to
ensure
that
every
aspect
of
our
operation
is
focused
on
the
instruction
and
the
success
of
our
students
and
so
having
our
CFO
a
part
of
every
single
one
of
those
conversations
allows
that
deep
dive
and
budget
analysis
to
ensure
we're
we're
being
excellent
stewards
of
the
taxpayers
resources.
V
We
understand
that
when
the
taxpayers
hand
over
their
hard-earned
money
that
they
are
saying,
please
use
this
for
the
betterment
of
my
children
and
our
families,
and
we
want
to
be
able
to
look
them
in
the
eyes
and
say
we're
doing
all.
We
can
to
stretch
that
as
far
as
we
possibly
can,
and
so
that
analysis
is
an
important
piece
of
that
for
school
systems,
and
you
know
this,
we
have
a
lot
of
challenges
in
our
state
school
systems.
Don't
have
the
opportunity
to
Levy
taxes
and
I'm
glad
of
that
as
a
superintendent.
V
We
can't
issue
debt.
We
have
to
make
a
budget
request
of
you
before.
We
know
State
numbers
before
we
know
Federal
numbers
really
we're
giving
you
our
best
educated
guess,
because
that's
the
system
we
have-
and
so
we
wind
up
in
places
where
we're
having
to
hire
staff
for
next
year
before
the
state
budget
is
passed.
There
was
one
year
that
I
served
as
superintendent.
V
We
didn't
have
a
state
budget
until
November,
well,
school
started
in
August,
and
so
we've
got
to
be
able
to
educate
children,
and
so
certainly
that's
a
budget
challenge
for
our
school
systems.
As
you're
well
aware
and
was
talked
about
earlier,
the
state
will
mandate
additional
expenses
but
not
fund
those
expenses,
and
so
we
wind
up
with
these
unfunded
mandates
that
then
become
a
pressure
on
our
local
communities
and
in
our
local
counties.
And
so
we
appreciate
your
help
and
all
that
you
do.
V
So
then
we
could
say
we
need
one
less
teacher,
because
those
20
students
left
one
school,
we're
losing
20
students
across
45
schools.
But
you
can't
let
go
of
a
teacher
and
our
greatest
expenses
are
in
personnel,
and
so
that
really
kind
of
compounds,
particularly
the
larger
the
system,
is,
and
so
here
is
our
current
landscape
in
terms
of
our
ADM
Trends.
V
The
best
choice
is
in
one
of
our
traditional
Public,
School
Systems,
and
so
we're
going
to
do
our
work
around
that
to
to
make
that
change.
I
will
mention,
while
we're
here
earlier.
There
was
a
mention
of
a
new
Charter
School
in
Buncombe
County
that
new
charter
school
I
believe
is
located
in
the
city
limits,
but
they
have
reached
out
to
us
to
say
that
they're,
anticipating
40
students
from
Buncombe
County
Schools
to
be
a
part
of
that
new
charter
school,
and
so
we
do
try
to
monitor
that
very
closely.
V
In
terms
of
our
Revenue
analysis,
our
looking
at
our
pie
charts
have
been
skewed
the
last
couple
of
years.
We've
got
one
more
year
of
this
skewing
and
that's
because
we
received,
as
the
county
did
tremendous
dollars
from
the
federal
government,
essers
Dollars
around
pandemic
response,
and
so
here
you
see
that
currently
about
51
percent
of
our
funding
comes
from
the
state,
27
percent
at
the
federal
level
and
22
percent
from
a
local
level.
Typically
we're
running
about
75
percent
or
greater
from
the
state,
but
because
of
that
essers
funding.
V
Certainly
in
an
educational
Institution.
This
piece
is
something
that
I
want
to
pause
on.
Just
a
second
to
to
again
say
thank
you,
Buncombe
County.
This
is
absolutely
outstanding
that
our
school
system
has
742
positions
that
are
funded
by
Buncombe
County.
Ideally,
we
would
have
zero
funded
by
Buncombe
County,
because
we
got
everything
we
needed
from
the
state,
but
the
commission
has
recognized
the
counties
recognized.
We
need
to
serve
our
students,
and
so
we
have
742
full-time
equivalent
positions
and
you
can
see
how
those
are
spread
out
across
different
employment
categories.
V
That
does
become
attention
on
the
budgeting
process,
because
when
the
state
increases
salaries
for
teachers,
teachers
don't
know
if
they're,
locally
paid
or
state
paid
way
back
in
the
day,
when
I
first
started
teaching
in
Buncombe
County,
you
got
a
pink
check
or
a
blue
check,
and
if
it
was
pink,
it
was
locally
paid
and
blue
State
paid,
and
that's
the
only
way
you
knew
today.
You
don't
know-
and
it
doesn't
matter
to
a
teacher
if
their
funds
come
locally
or
state,
because
it's
the
same
thing
based
on
their
experience
Etc.
V
This
is
a
point
of
Pride,
though,
and
we're
so
very
grateful
for
the
number
of
locally
funded
positions
we
have
in
Buncombe
County
schools
that
allow
us
to
do
the
great
work.
That's
being
done
to
give
you
an
idea,
there's
been
a
lot
of
conversation
around
teacher
pay,
and
so
this
is
actually
from
the
state.
V
It
was
gathered
by
best
NC,
but
you'll
see
the
North
Carolina
average
starting
pay
pay
in
that
kind
of
second
block
down
on
the
left
is
37
127
and
so
to
an
earlier
conversation,
I'd
like
to
give
you
Buncombe,
County,
Schools
numbers
and
so
you'll
see
our
median
classroom.
Teacher
salary
is
seventy
one
thousand,
almost
seventy
two
thousand
dollars.
That
seems
a
bit
surprising
but
I'd
like
to
hearken
back
to
the
slide.
That
talked
about
the
strength
of
our
school
system.
V
We
have
a
large
percentage
of
very
experienced
teachers
who
are
at
the
high
end
of
the
teacher
scale.
Our
local
supplement
is
graduated,
so
you
get
a
higher
percentage
supplement
for
lots
of
experience
and
we
have
lots
of
teachers
who
have
advanced
degrees,
and
so
that
certainly
helps
teachers
on
the
high
end
of
the
scale.
Now
those
teachers
are
not
the
in
completion
of
our
teaching
faculty,
so
we
also
have
to
be
very
aware
of
the
teachers
who
are
coming
in
to
replace
them
as
they
retire,
our
beginning
teachers
and
so
on.
V
V
All
that
to
say
our
teachers
deserve
everything
they
receive
and
much
much
much
much
much
much
much
more
for
the
incredible
work
they
do
every
single
day,
but
we
do
want
to
acknowledge
where
we
are
today,
because
we
are
much
better
today
than
we
were
yesterday
and
we
look
forward
to
being
much
better
tomorrow
than
we
are
today,
and
so
we
certainly
appreciate
the
work
that
has
gone
in
to
where
we
are
now
and
so
very
quickly.
Our
operational
budget
request
I'm
going
to
break
this
down
into
three
areas.
V
V
In
this
budget
request
and
as
one
of
my
great
Heroes
and
mentors
Dr
Cosby
said
when
you
make
a
decision
we'll
make
it
work,
because
that's
what
Educators
do
and
so
I
don't
say
that
to
say:
don't
do
all
you
can.
Please
do
all
you
can,
but
we
will
with
what
you're
able
to
do
make
it
work,
because
our
children
deserve
our
very
best
efforts
and
we'll
give
them
those,
and
so
let
me
kind
of
break
that
down
into
the
three
areas.
V
The
first
biggest
area
is
around
increase
to
local
salary
and
benefits,
and
so
for
our
certified
staff.
It
includes
the
step
increase,
plus
4.25
percent,
and
so
let
me
pause
there.
The
4.25
percent
is
the
houses.
The
North
Carolina
houses
budget
calls
for
an
increase
to
state
salaries
of
4.25
percent.
We
have
not
yet
received
the
North
Carolina
sentence
budget.
We
assume
we'll
be
getting
that
next
week
once
they
put
out
their
budget.
V
As
you
know,
then
the
house
and
Senate
get
together
and
they'll
come
up
with
a
compromise,
they'll
work
with
the
governor
and
eventually
at
some
point,
we'll
have
a
state
budget,
but
to
build
our
budget
request.
We've
used
the
house
numbers
of
4.25
percent
for
our
classified
staff.
There's
a
step
increase
in
that
4.25
percent.
Our
retirement
rate
increase.
We
built
our
budget
request
on
is
at
25
percent.
V
The
house
actually
had
a
number
less
than
that,
but
the
number
the
house
had
is
actually
less
than
we're,
currently
paying
so
we're
using
25
percent
as
a
placeholder,
there,
hospitalization
rate
has
gone
up.
The
increase
to
our
athletic
stipends
I've
had
the
opportunity
to
meet
with
our
coaches.
Our
coaches
have
been
held
at
for
a
long
time
in
terms
of
their
current
supplement.
V
When
we
look
at
an
hourly
wage
there,
it's
pitiful
the
number
of
hours
that
our
coaches
put
into
our
athletic
teams,
and
we
know
how
many
students
are
involved
in
that,
and
so
that
increase
to
our
supplement
for
our
coaches.
The
teacher
substitute
cost
has
gone
up
as
I
mentioned
earlier,
and
so
there's
a
request
there
to
help
us
with
that
cost.
V
The
salary
study
is
one
of
the
things
when
I
had
the
opportunity
to
talk
to
Dr
Baldwin
and
in
one
of
my
early
conversations
with
the
manager
is
what
an
incredible
point
of
Pride
for
Buncombe
County.
That
last
year
you
were
able
to
begin
to
address
our
classified
staff
and
their
pay
pay
increases
and
to
help
us
with
that.
V
My
salary
goes
up
a
little
bit.
My
second
year
goes
up
a
little
bit
and
continues
to
reward
that
experience
and
that
loyalty,
and
so
we
thank
you
very
much
for
that.
The
next
area
and-
and
we
tried
to
come
up
with
a
great
descriptive
word
for
this
I-
think
in
the
past,
the
the
term
was
non-negotiable,
and
so
we
don't.
We,
we
tried
to
say
well
that
maybe
sound
harsh,
so
we've
used
immutable,
and
so,
if
you
have
a
good
idea
for
helping
us
come
up
with
a
descriptor,
there
we'd
sure
appreciate
it.
V
But
it's
basically
things
beyond
our
control,
so
utility
cost
increases
we
reached
out
to
our
utilities
and
to
have
documentation
to
understand
what
our
increase
would
be
going
forward:
electricity
10
gas,
15
percent
water,
seven
percent,
that
total
increase.
There
is
460
000,
our
property
insurance
increased
we're
looking
at
about
a
25
percent
increase
there
increased
costs,
I
believe
Dr
Cosby
referred
to
it
as
inflation
and
we're
seeing
that
all
over
the
place
as
you
are
as
well.
506
000
there.
V
As
well,
the
final
area
is
new
positions
and
certainly
in
a
time
of
trying
to
right-size
the
school
system,
new
positions
is
interesting,
but
again
it's
important
to
talk
about
the
needs
and
to
be
very
transparent
with
that.
As
I
mentioned,
the
mental
health
and
well-being
needs
of
our
students.
The
request
includes
the
opportunity
to
increase
the
number
of
counselors.
We
have
ideally
we'd
love
to
be
at
a
point
where
we're
meeting
the
national
recommendations
on
student
to
council
ratios
and
student
to
social
worker
ratios
Etc,
but
this
helps
us
move
there.
V
V
The
assistant
director
of
Transportation
position
we're
moving
to
the
SMART
Bus
system
in
this
next
year,
so
that
parents
will
be
able
to
on
their
phone,
see
real
time
where
the
bus
is
and
what
time
it's
showing
up
at
the
bus
stop
particularly
on
cold
days.
That's
very
important.
We
recently
had
our
reunification
drill
where
we
drilled
having
a
gas
leak
at
Weaverville
primary
school
and
actually
evacuated
all
of
our
students
to
an
off-site
location
and
had
parents
have
to
pick
them
up
at
that
off-site
location.
V
So
we
could
be
prepared,
God
forbid,
for
something
like
that
happening.
We
were
able
to
in
our
Command
Center,
see
the
cameras
at
the
school
see.
The
cameras
where
the
students
were
being
transported
to
the
new
system
will
allow
us
to
see
our
buses
in
route
as
they
leave
from
the
school
going
to
where
they're
going.
Interestingly,
we
then
had
a
gas
leak
as
part
of
some
construction
work
that
impacted
Koontz
intermediate,
and
we
had
to
evacuate
our
students
to
Valley
Springs.
V
We
want
to
make
sure
every
single
child
is
well
well
prepared
to
be
successful,
post-graduation
and
so
again,
then,
the
entirety
of
the
increase,
a
huge
number
of
a
big
ask,
and
we
recognize
that.
But
as
you're
well
aware,
we
have
incredible
needs
in
our
families
and
in
our
children,
and
it's
certainly
something
that
many
people
need
to
be
involved
in.
V
V
We
don't
want
our
children
coming
in
so
far
behind
that
we're
having
to
spend
so
much
time
trying
to
catch
them
up,
and
so
lots
of
work
to
continue
to
do,
but
I
certainly
want
to
before
I
kind
of
show
you
some
some
kind
of
fun.
Slides
I
just
want
to
say
how
much
we
appreciate
what
you've
done
and
how
excited
and
optimistic
I
am
about
Buncombe
County,
Schools
I
can't
say
that
enough.
V
I
may
have
spent
more
time
in
classrooms
than
most
people,
especially
in
the
last
six
months
and
having
sat
at
the
feet
of
our
teachers.
Literally,
there
are
great
things
happening
in
our
school
system
and
I'm,
so
very
proud
of
the
work
they're
doing
and
so
very
quickly.
Thank
you
for
the
school
Community
impact
funding.
The
Commissioners
share
with
the
school
system
and
I
know
you'd
love
to
receive
updates,
and
so
we'd
like
to
show
you
at
Irwin
Middle
School.
We
were
able
to
add
a
projection
system
in
their
Auditorium
area.
V
You
can
see
how
we've
been
able
to
add
cameras
to
that
school
to
increase
our
security
presence,
and
we
certainly
appreciate
that
opportunity
at
Cane,
Creek,
Middle,
School,
there's
a
presentation
system.
The
the
screen
is
not
down
in
this
photo,
but
a
presentation
system
has
been
added
there
as
well
and
then
at
Woodfin
Elementary
School.
V
We're
really
excited
about
having
a
playground
at
Woodfin,
Elementary
School
and
we're
actually
going
to
have
the
ribbon
cutting
on
May,
18th
and
we'd
love
for
you
to
be
there,
but
they
are
very
excited
to
have
a
playground
at
Woodfin,
Elementary
School,
and
we're
very
excited
for
that
opportunity
as
well,
and
so
again
thank
you
for
that.
Community
impact
funding,
Hall
Creek,
Elementary
School.
V
We
were
able
to
address
the
playgrounds
there
as
well,
and
we
again
thank
you
for
your
generosity
and
support
of
our
school
communities
across
Buncombe,
County
and
Madame
Vice
chair
would
be
happy
to
answer
any
questions
or
hear
any
kind
of
feedback
from
our
commissioners.
Thank
you
again
for
the
opportunity
to
present
thank.
M
J
Commissioners,
I'll
kick
us
off
again
and
I'm
gonna
ask
the
same
question:
first:
Dr
Jackson!
Thank
you.
So
much
for
your
presentation.
I
do
want
to
say
that
while
I
was
not
able
to
attend
in
person
last
week,
I
have
gone
back
and
I've
watched
the
entire
meeting.
So
I
really
appreciate
the
overview
of
your
first
six
months
as
well
as
the
opportunity
to
hear
the
comments
from
Buncombe
County
Schools
Employees.
Thank
you.
They
were
moving
absolutely.
M
J
Very
much
so
had
to
find
the
tissues
a
couple
of
times
as
well,
so
it
really
really
drove
home.
The
seriousness
of
this
ask
and
also
want
to
acknowledge
the
school
board
members
who
recognized
the
the
heavy
lift
that
this
is
specifically
heard.
Miss
Plymouth
say
that
she
knew
that
this
would
entail
a
tax
increase
and
I
think
that
was
one
of
the
first
times.
I've
really
heard
that
brought
to
the
surface
of
this
conversation.
So
thank
you
to
miss
Clemons
and
other
board
members
who
recognize
that.
J
You've
addressed
a
little
bit
your
cabinet
meetings.
Looking
at
ongoing
budgetary
priorities,
I
will
say
you
want
to
know
what
happens
if
there's
no
APS,
your
principles
are
gonna
bolt
whose
abs
are
vital
to
the
administration
of
those
school
buildings.
So
you
want
to
know
what
happens
you're
going
to
lose
principles,
but
I
appreciate
that
you
know
you're
looking
at
all
options,
while
that
feels
a
bit
nuclear
to
me
when
I
first
saw
your
budget
number
I
kept
saying
over
and
over
33.9
million
American
dollars.
J
I
am
saying
that
over
and
over
because
this
is
so
shocking
to
me.
So
my
first
question
is
it's
two
parts:
how
did
Buncombe
County
Schools
get
into
this
situation,
where
we're
looking
at
nearly
a
34
million
dollar?
Ask
when
we've
not
seen
anything
like
this.
This
is
my
fifth
budget
cycle,
commissioner
Whiteside,
seventh
and
others.
This
seems
shocking.
J
Does
that
I
have
have
things
just
not
been
addressed
outside
of
salaries
over
all
these
years
and
then
the
second
part
outside
of
your
nuclear
option,
you
know,
are:
are
you
all
prepared
to
to
go
back
to
the
drawing
board
to
make?
You
know
necessary?
Decreases
should
should
the
decision
not
come
back
exactly
the
way
that
you
all
are
asking
for
it.
V
V
It's
not
always
perfect
when
we
start
thinking
about
school
systems
as
a
methodology,
however,
we
try
to
employ
multiple
methodologies
to
ensure
that
we
are
being
good
stewards
of
the
taxpayers
dollars
and
zero-based
budgeting
simply
says
start
with
nothing.
Address
needs
and
see
where
you
wind
up
to
look
for
those
opportunities
where
we
may
be
able
to
cut
the
school
system
has
been
and
appears
to
be,
a
lean
operating
school
system
and
I
know.
Dr
Baldwin
said
that
year
after
year,
I've
watched
several
of
his
presentations
and
and
after
being
in
the
school
system.
V
I
agree
with
that,
and
so
to
that
second
question
in
terms
of,
are
we
having
those
conversations?
We
certainly
are
we're
having
those
conversations
with
our
teacher
allotments
with
our
coaching
allotments,
our
instructional
coaches
allotments,
our
Central
Services
allotments
in
all
areas
of
the
school
system.
V
I
think
there's
a
lot
of
factors
in
that,
and
one
of
those
biggest
factors
is
exactly
what
you
referenced
and
thank
you
so
much
for
and
I
know.
They
greatly
appreciate
all
the
opportunity
that
the
Commissioners
provide
our
our
staff
by
being
in
our
schools
and
listening
to
them
in
individual
conversations
and
and
watching
the
comments,
our
staff
members
are
saying
loudly.
We
can't
afford
to
live
in
Buncombe
County,
and
so
the
ask
is
really
about
trying
to
do
everything
we
possibly
can
to
help
them
with
their
salary
and
benefits.
V
In
terms
of,
if
that
you
know
whatever
the
Commissioners
decide
we're
going
to
make
that
work
and
then,
as
we
know,
what
that
supplement
is,
we
know
our
teachers
will
make
individual
decisions,
and
so
we
want
to
incentivize
them
to
stay
right
here
in
Buncombe,
County
Schools,
not
just
because
of
salary
benefits,
but
also
because
of
working
conditions.
And
so
thank
you
for
that
tough
question.
It's
one
that
I've
grappled
with
I
wanted.
Our
board
of
education
is
grappled
with
I.
Think
more
of
my
hair
is
gray
than
when
I
got
here
in
November.
V
Those
solar
arrays
are
coming
online,
so
we
just
recently
had
the
array
at
North,
Buncombe
or
North
Windy
Ridge,
rather
just
came
online,
and
so
that
that
savings
will
show
up
as
time
goes
on,
but
quite
a
few
of
those
and
we're
talking
about
the
first
phase
of
that.
The
second
phase
we
haven't
even
started
on
we're
still
waiting
for
the
construction
process,
but
I'll
let
Miss
Thorpe.
M
So
two
of
them
are
online:
that's
what
we
have
out
of
phase
one
and
we
have
not
started
phase
two
and
then
we
have
been
analyzing
all
of
the
offsetting
costs
associated
with
the
solar.
So
we
have
not
experienced
the
true
cost
savings
yet
from
the
utilities
from
the
majority
of
them.
But
we
are
analyzing
and
we'll
keep
an
eye
on
it,
and
we
also
are
looking
at
the
different
cost.
That's
associated
with
those
particular
items
as
well
and.
V
V
Exactly
that's
exactly
right
and
it's
it's
a
very
small
percentage
of
teachers
at
this
point
who
are
grandfathered
in,
but
we
do
have
those
teachers
and
because
we
have
such
an
experienced
staff,
we
have.
We
have
teachers,
I've
not
worked
with
teachers
who
receive
Master's
pay
in
other
districts,
just
because
it's
such
a
small
number
across
the
state,
But
Here,
We,
Do.
M
M
A
Okay,
so
thank
you
for
this
detailed
presentation
and
you
pointed
out
I
think
it
was
742
local
employees
that
the
County's
covering
as
well
as
the
supplemental
pay
and
then
can
you
share
some
more
because
the
classified
so
the
classified
compensation
study
with
that.
Basically,
those
are
positions
if
I'm
understanding
this
right
that
that
pay
should
be
coming
from
the
state,
but
because
the
state
is
not
paying
at
the
level
that
you
need
them
to.
For
that,
then
the
county
is
also
paying
for
that.
N
A
V
Here
we
go,
we've
got
it
right
here,
so
that's
not
all
Arts
teachers,
that's
a
schmores
board
of
teachers
and
so
without
getting
way
too
in
the
weeds,
though
I'll
be
happy
to
as
as
deep
as
you'd
like
to
one
of
the
things
we
try
to
do
is
at
the
state
level
we
receive
what's
called
position,
allotments,
where
they'll
say
hire
a
person
whatever
they
cost
will
cover,
and
so,
if
they're
very
experienced,
they
cost
more.
If
they're
brand
new,
they
cost
less.
V
In
those
numbers
we
try
to
have
to
the
extent
possible
our
least
expensive
and
I
hate
to
even
reduce
those
terms
referring
to
employees
in
our
local
dollars
to
maximize
and
stretch
our
local
dollars
as
far
as
possible
and
our
most
expensive
employees
in
the
state
position
allotments,
where
they're
saying
we'll
pay
for
the
person,
regardless
of
what
they
cost.
That
kind
of
makes
sense
at
a
high
level
and.
M
V
Absolutely-
and
there
is
a
a
bill
in
the
general
assembly
to
just
completely
overhaul
how
school
systems
are
allotted
completely
change.
We
do
have
as
a
state
one
of
the
most
complex
allotment
systems
in
the
country,
and
it's
something
that's
been
worked
on
for
years.
I
think
about
seven
years
ago,
I
was
asked
to
address
the
general
assembly
on
the
complexity
of
our
allotment
system
and
so
they've
been
trying
to
work
on
it
if
they
move
to
that,
there's
a
lot
of
consternation
around
what
that
might
be.
V
But
it's
because
the
complexity
of
the
allotment
system
that
we
wind
up
in
situations
like
this
and
so
to
your
question
about
thinking
about
future
Boards
of
Commissioners
or
future
Boards
of
education
and
what
they
may
do.
They
potentially
could
be
faced
with
a
very
different
set
of
circumstances.
If
the
state
overhauls
how
they
fund
education.
D
T
I
just
wanted
to
ask
for
a
little
bit
of
clarity,
because
there
was
you
mentioned
during
the
meeting
from
I
think
it
was
one
of
your
data
faults
and
blinking
their
name,
but
during
the
Board
of
Ed
meeting
there
was
some
discussion
about
priorities
and
and
what
percentages
so,
where
I,
remember
diversity
being
surprisingly
kind
of
low
at
eight
percent
and
I
was
curious.
One.
You
could
give
some
context
about
what
that
meant.
Is
that
just
they're
meeting
their
goals?
T
V
Yeah
so,
and
thank
you
for
the
question
we
had
from
the
the
survey
that
we
I
gave
out
the
three
questions.
What
do
you
love
Mass?
What
should
never
change?
What
should
we
be
working
on?
First,
each
person,
whether
it's
a
Community
member
at
a
town,
hall
or
staff,
member
kind
of
address
the
question?
What
should
you
work
on?
First
in
different
ways?
V
Some
mention
multiple
items,
some
mentioned
the
thing
that
was
most
pressing
at
that
moment,
and
so,
although
the
percentage
of
folks
who
mentioned
diversity
was
lower,
I
wouldn't
say
that
that
means
it's
a
less
priority
for
those
folks.
It
just
may
not
be
the
one
thing
they
mentioned.
Some
folks
mention
multiple
things
they
may
have
mentioned.
Something
like
salary
and
benefits
was
the
thing
that
they
thought
I
needed
to
work
on.
V
So
really
that's
big
huge
work,
that's
going
to
involve
all
of
us,
but
we
need
someone
to
be
the
champion
of
that
work.
Who
brings
that
lens
to
every
single
conversation
just
like
when
our
CFO
is
sitting
at
the
cabinet
she's
bringing
the
lens
of
finances?
We
need
somebody
who's,
bringing
that
educational
Equity
lens
to
those
same
conversations,
and
so
really
that
person
will
have
a
big
job.
That's
the
responsibility
of
everybody,
we're
all
responsible,
but
that'll
be
the
person
who
really
deeply
deeply
deeply
immersed
in
that
work.
V
A
D
V
You
thank
you
so
much
Madam
by
share
and
I'd,
also
like
to
thank
our
chair
of
the
Buncombe
County
Schools
Board
of
Education
and
Franklin
is
here
with
us
and
board
members.
Judy,
Lewis
and
Kim.
Flemons
are
also
here
and
I
very
much
appreciate
their
presence
as
well.
Certainly
they're
incredible
advocates
for
our
children.
Thank
you
again
for
the
opportunity
Commissioners
and
for
the
time
you've
been
so
so
very
generous
with.
Thank
you
thank.
D
S
So
Commissioners,
we
are
at
a
time
that
we
had
scheduled
on
your
agenda
today,
but
we
have
one
more
topic.
So
do
you
have
time
to
stay
for
us
to
finish,
or
do
you
like
us
to
regroup
on
that?
One,
okay,
I
think
we
can
wrap
up
by
noon.
I'm,
telling
staff
that
now
so
they're
here
that
they
can
wrap
up
by
noon.
B
B
B
B
The
affordable
housing
committee
has
decided
on
funding
to
nine
organizations
to
support
514
units
or
households
and
the
amount
of
four
million
sixty
four
thousand
one.
Seven
hundred
fourteen
dollars
and
new
this
year
are
affordable
housing,
General
obligation,
Bond
projects
and
I'm,
inviting
Matt
cable
up
to
speak
to
these.
W
So
the
committee
is
recommending
use
of
just
over
13
million
dollars
in
affordable
housing
bond
funds.
Those
funds
would
be
for
the
purposes
of
supporting
four
low-income
housing
tax
credit
projects
that
will
impact
398
rental
units,
which
will
be
available
to
low
and
moderate
income
households.
The
requirement
of
the
bond
is
that
those
households
will
be
served.
These
include
units
for
families
and
seniors,
so
there's
a
mix
of
both
types
of
units.
W
They
will
all
be
units
that
accept
vouchers,
which
is
important
and
another
goal
of
the
board
and
committee,
and
then
there
will
be
89
units
available
in
households
earning
earning
less
than
30
percent
of
the
area
being
income.
Another
targeted
goal,
an
area
we're
trying
to
work
in
the
projects
would
produce
units
that
represent
roughly
22
percent
of
the
overarching
stretch,
goal
at
1850,
affordable
rimsby
units
and
would
support
almost
120
million
dollars
worth
of
total
project
cost.
W
There
are
four
projects
that
are
listed
below
and
we'll
go
through
them
in
a
little
bit
more
detail.
Just
for
for
your
familiarity,
this
project
location
map
I
apologize,
it's
a
little
faded
there,
but
it
shows
the
distribution
of
the
projects.
So
we
have
a
north,
south,
east
and
west
distribution
among
the
recommended
projects.
W
W
The
two
projects
on
the
left,
so
Lakeshore,
Villas
and
Maribel,
are
what
are
considered
family
tax
credit
projects,
so
they
are
not
restricted
by
age,
Redwood,
Commons
and
Villas
at
Haywood.
The
two
on
the
right
and
each
of
the
graphs
are
the
senior
units,
so
you'll
notice
that
those
tend
to
be
smaller
bedroom
sizes
and
then
the
Ami
levels
assisted.
So
there
again
is
a
mix
of
Ami
that
is
being
assisted,
some
targeted
at
less
than
30
percent
of
Ami,
some
at
less
than
60,
and
then
also
have
less
than
80..
W
The
Lakeshore
Villas
project
is
the
mountain
housing
opportunities
project.
A
summary.
The
committee
has
recommended
a
2.6
million
dollar
loan
to
support
a
total
project
cost
of
38
million
dollars.
This
is
a
120
unit
project
and
has
already
received
a
four
percent
tax
credit
award.
So
it's
not
competing
to
receive
that
award.
It
has
already
received
that
allocation.
It
does
have
approval
in
terms
of
its
development
status.
W
W
W
This
project
is
actively
seeking
four
percent
credit,
so
they
don't
have
them
awarded,
but
this
will
help
them
in
seeking
those
credits,
they
do
have
development
approval
through
how
we
Rebel
and
currently
have
an
option
agreement
for
this
site.
This
project
will
be
accepting
vouchers
and
also
has
a
seeking
project-based
vouchers
through
the
Housing
Authority,
the
project-based
Pacific
team
units
there,
as
well
as
general
Choice,
voucher
application.
W
Redwood
Commons,
which
is
from
Buckeye
Community
Hope
Foundation.
The
committee
is
recommending
1.826
million
dollar
loan
to
support
just
over
18
million
dollar
project.
There
are
70
units.
This
project
has
been
awarded
nine
percent
tax
credits,
it
is
located
within
the
city
of
Asheville
and
it
has
development
approval.
W
The
recommendation
is
a
500
000
loan
for
the
total
project
cost
of
12.8
million.
This
is
a
52
unit
project.
They
are
in
pre-application.
So
again,
the
allocation
of
funds
from
the
county
will
help
them
in
seeking
the
tax
credits
for
this
project
then
have
development
approval,
an
option
agreement
on
the
site
and
again
we'll
be
accepting
vouchers
so
just
kind
of
back
to
that
summary
slide
again.
This
is
the
total
recommendation
of
13.4,
almost
13.4
million
dollars
from
affordable
housing
committee
to
support
these
four
projects,
as
described
and
depicted
to
answer
any
questions.
W
Seek
a
loan
term,
which
is
a
20-year
two
percent
interest
amortizing,
but
with
payments
from
cash
flow.
So
it's
based
on
the
generation
of
Revenue
through
the
project
and
then
at
the
end
of
that
there
is
the
lump
sum
principal
payment,
as
well
as
any
unpaid
interest
through
the
course
of
the
20-year
loan
period.
A
Well,
I'm
excited
that
we're
already
getting
some
projects
going
with
the
bond
fund.
So
thanks
to
the
affordable
housing
committee
for
your
good
work
on
that
and
I'm
really
glad
to
hear
the
details
and
just
my
one
question
because
I
think
chair
Newman
was
always
talking
about
that
for
a
unit
cost
and
so
I'd
love
to
hear
from
you
all,
because
the
Maribel
one
is
a
pretty
much
a
much
higher
per
unit
cost
than
all
the
others.
So
I'd
love
to
hear
your
thoughts
on.
J
I'm
sure
Mr
cable
can
address
this
much
more
eloquently
and
in
depth
as
I
think
he
can
probably
recite
the
performance
in
his
sleep
for
us
I
think
one
of
the
exacerbating
factors
with
this
is
ldg,
who
is
the
property
developer,
has
made
a
number
of
concessions,
particularly
around
the
neighbor's
concerns,
and
that
has
added
to
the
cost
of
the
project
as
they
are
really
trying
to
be.
You
know
good
stewards
and
build
positive
relationships
with
the
folks
who
are,
you
know,
going
to
be
surrounding
that
new
apartment,
complex,
but
I'm.
W
A
W
W
A
significant
difference
between
and
again
you're
kind
of,
looking
at
projects,
always
collectively
Lakeshore
Villas
is
being
developed
by
a
non-profit
developer,
so
their
access
to
other
funding
is
much
less
restricted
than
ldg.
That's
a
for-profit
developer.
So
in
the
case
of
Lakeshore
villas,
for
example,
they
are
seeking
significant
funding
from
Dogwood
Health
Trust
to
offset
the
cost
of
construction,
which
is
not
available
to
LBG
as
a
for-profit
developer.
So
what
they
can
access
and
the
other
sources
of
funding
are
more
significant
and
varied
than
ldg
would
be
able
to
access.
J
J
So
it
was
a
really
exciting
process
to
be
a
part
of,
and
I
would
be
remiss
if
I
did
not
say.
Thank
you
to
the
incredible
team
led
by
Matthew
cable.
They
made
our
jobs
I'm
speaking
on
behalf
of
commissioner
Sloan
too,
a
lot
easier,
as
we
were
able
to
dig
into
those
numbers
and
ask
a
lot
of
questions.
So
the
time
and
effort
that
you
all
put
into
that
to
help
us
make
our
decisions
is
much
much
appreciated.
I
can't
say
thank
you
enough
to
you
and
your
folks.
Man.
R
And
yeah
she's
talking
to
the
microphone.
Yes,
we
have
some
great
applications.
The
opportunity
to
fund
it.
I
think
you
see
that
that
bar
graph,
you
can
really
see
visually
how
much
funding
is
being
leveraged
from
different
places
for
these
things,
which
is
really
cool
to
see
the
the
other.
You
know,
the
other
thought
on
the
kind
of
negative
end
is
interest
rates
and
construction
costs
which
are
really
in
excess
of
inflation.
In
my
opinion,
are
just
are
crushing.
I
would
make
this
more
difficult
and
it's
also
the
reason.
R
M
I
Some
of
the
priorities
within
that
are
increased
slots
very
specific
and
Innovative
strategies
related
to
teacher
and
Workforce
recruitment
and
retention,
emphasis
on
equity
and
behavioral
health
issues
showing
up
for
kids
in
early
childhood
settings
and
just
the
two
other
quick
flags,
as
we
think
about
the
totality
of
this
issue.
One
thanks
for
the
discussion.
I
Those
are
two
exciting,
I
think
signs
of
maturation
with
it
within
the
this
funding
stream,
and
then
also
we
are
coming
up
on
the
one
year
mark
of
the
two-year
pilot
that
we're
funding
through
arpa
dollars
of
the
bunkum
partnership
for
children,
looking
specifically
at
pre-k
expansion
strategies,
so
we'll
be
looking
for
ways
to
bring
some
initial
findings
from
year.
One
back
to
the
full
commission
for
consideration,
so
just
want
to
kind
of
take
a
moment
to
sort
of
do
some
level.
Setting
on
that
on
that
topic.
I
On
the
whole,
the
other
thing
I
had
was
just
a
request.
It
doesn't
need
to
happen
before
we
conclude
budget
season,
perhaps
early
in
the
new
fiscal
year,
but
as
if
staff
could
maybe
develop
some
tool
through
which
we
can
track
the
budget
investment
or
the
Investments
we're
making
this
year
in
our
strategic
priorities
relative
to
some
of
the
metrics,
we're
closing
we're
tracking
so
closely.
I
Early
Childhood
had
some
of
those
I
know
where
we've
been
pushing
against
the
tides
of
the
pandemic
impact,
and
it
would
just
be
great
if
we
could
drill
down
and
see
with
this
year's
budgetary
Investments
how
many
new
slots
are
going
to
be
coming
online,
how
many
new,
affordable
housing
units
and
and
some
other
key
metrics
again,
where
we're
pushing
really
really
hard
to
try
to
change
the
direction
that
we've
been
seeing
in
recent
trend
lines.
I
would
love
to
be
able
to
have
that
discussion
in
the
months
ahead.
J
And
lastly,
Rachel
to
you
and
your
group
and
your
team
and
your
committee
members,
it
is
no
small
feat
to
read
through
Grant
application
after
Grant
application
and
your
folks
have
done
an
incredible
job
as
always
scoring
those
in
a
really
unbiased,
Manner
and
I
am
certainly
grateful
that
they're
willing
to
commit
their
time
and
to
you
for
your
leadership
throughout
that
process.
Thank
you.