Buncombe County Schools Board of Education Special Called Meeting- 9/24/26

Buncombe County Schools Board of Education Special Called Meeting Recap Date: September 24, 2026

The Buncombe County Schools Board of Education held a Special Called Meeting on September 24, 2026, to formally begin the tenure of new Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Reed and address critical district operations. Attendees included Board Members, Superintendent Dr. Reed, Chief Financial Officer Tina Thorpe, and various administrative staff. The meeting opened with Vice Chair Plemons welcoming Dr. Reed, who expressed her priority to listen to stakeholders—including teachers, parents, and students—to inform the next iteration of the district’s strategic plan. The board also recognized recent student and staff achievements, including the Charles T. Kuntz Intermediate Band’s Program of Distinction status and AIG Teacher of the Year Donna Lynn Small.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the 2025-26 School Accountability Report, presented by Dr. Jan King and Dr. Theresa Melinas. The report highlighted substantial improvements, noting that 41 of 45 schools improved in overall grade-level proficiency and that the district achieved zero "F" schools for the first time since 2017-2018. The four-year cohort graduation rate reached 90.8%, the fourth highest in district history, alongside sustained improvements in early literacy and increases in Career and Technical Education (CTE) industry credentials. CFO Tina Thorpe subsequently presented the 2026-27 budget, noting that while the outlook improved—reducing the required fund balance usage from $15 million to $9 million—the district continues to utilize fund balance due to enrollment declines and state funding formulas.

The Board took several formal actions during the meeting. The agenda, consent agenda, and the 2026-27 budget were all approved by unanimous vote. The Board also approved several policies mandated by recent state law, waiving first reading for Policy 3510 and 3510R regarding Release Time for Religious Instruction (RTRI), as well as Policies 50/30 and 7325 concerning community use of facilities and employee video/audio recordings. Additionally, a motion was made to send Policy 8100 (Fund Balance Policy) back to the Policy Committee for review. The goal of this motion is to potentially update the policy to require a fund balance of approximately $15 million, representing one month of operating expenditures, to ensure financial safety. This motion passed, and the Policy Committee is tasked with reviewing the policy and bringing suggested changes to the full board.

Public comment was received from three residents regarding the new RTRI policy (Policy 3510). Sharon Brouchard of Public School Strong argued that the board’s policy should strictly control liability, ensuring sponsoring organizations bear full responsibility for insurance and background checks, rather than requiring parents to waive liability. Robert Bringle, a resident and grandparent, stated the proposed policy was incomplete regarding the distribution of responsibilities, citing issues with staff screening and medical assistance. Jerry Nugent noted that while provider LifeWise Academy assumes liability, local forms still reflect old requirements, and he requested an update to ensure parents do not sign away legal protections. The Chair acknowledged the comments but did not have a board member respond directly, moving immediately to the action agenda.

The meeting concluded with agreed-upon follow-ups and notable statements regarding the district's financial trajectory. CFO Thorpe noted that as enrollment declines by approximately 900 students over two years, the district will align staffing through attrition and transfers during the March 2027 hiring season to get spending back on track. The Policy Committee is scheduled to meet on October 20, 2026, to review Policy 8100, with the full Board meeting scheduled for November 5, 2026, to consider any recommended changes. Vice Chair Plemons expressed strong support for the hiring of Dr. Reed, while Board members discussed the distinction between policy changes and actual fund creation, with one member noting that changing the policy would not suddenly create money but would reflect the necessary financial buffer for the district's current budget size.