# Special Called Open Meeting with a Closed Session
Special Called Open Meeting Board Retreat (Jan 23, 2025)

**Body:** Asheville City Schools — Board of Education
**Date:** January 23, 2025 9:00 AM EST (2025-01-23T09:00:00-05:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092

## Summary

The Asheville City Board of Education will hold a special called meeting on Thursday, January 23rd from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Western Regional Education Service Alliance in Asheville. This meeting is primarily focused on training for board members and reviewing key topics related to the school system, but it will *not* involve any official votes or decisions.

During the day, board members will participate in required training sessions and engage in discussions about Board Norms – essentially how the board operates – as well as a review of the district’s strategic planning process. Attendees will also hear overviews from various departments within the school system and a preliminary look at the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. While no formal decisions will be made, these discussions provide valuable insight into the direction of Asheville City Schools.

Citizens interested in learning more about how the school system operates, or wanting to understand early considerations for next year’s budget, may find this meeting informative. Please note that the meeting will not be recorded or live-streamed, and is being held solely for training and discussion purposes. A full schedule of Board meetings can be found at [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XcrpZgYiy_lwNQH7rgp7tmYvsqdO-djNoRBl6Ov3lao/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XcrpZgYiy_lwNQH7rgp7tmYvsqdO-djNoRBl6Ov3lao/edit?usp=sharing)

## Agenda

- [NCSBA Required New Board Member Training (1 of 2 hours) - Attorneys Chris Campbell and Anna Gillespie](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092/item/6352)
- [Break](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092/item/23258)
- [Board Norms - Dr. Fehrman, Superintendent](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092/item/6354)
- [Lunch](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092/item/6355)
- [APPROVAL OF AGENDA](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092/item/6348)
- [Strategic Planning and Overview - Dr. Lavendar](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092/item/6356)
- [Department Overviews - Executive Cabinet](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092/item/6357)
- [Break](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092/item/23259)
- [NC School Finance 101 - Heidi Kerns, Chief Financial Officer](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092/item/6359)
- [FY 26 Budget - Dr. Fehrman, Superintendent](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092/item/6360)

## Votes

- Motion to Approve the Agenda — Passed

## Documents

- [agenda_2025-01-23.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092?document=2426)
- [minutes_2025-01-23.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092?document=2430)
- [9563.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1092?document=2392)

## Sources

- [Main archive page](https://ashevillecityschools.diligent.community/Portal/)