Buncombe County Schools -

Good evening Parents, Members of the Community, Board Members, and Teammates,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! What a joy it has been to begin another school year in Buncombe County Schools. Dr. Reed, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Cody and I have each had the privilege of visiting all 45 of our schools during the first days of this year, and I can say without hesitation that the sense of excitement, belonging, and joy I witnessed has been extraordinary. From classrooms filled with eager learners to hallways alive with energy, each school reminded me that the work we do together is both deeply meaningful and filled with purpose.

This strong beginning is even more remarkable given the year we have just completed. We are still, in many ways, living into the recovery from Hurricane Helene—the worst natural disaster in our state’s history. Even in the face of unprecedented challenges, our students, staff, and families rose with resilience and strength. Schools became not only centers of learning but also centers of hope, service, and healing. Together, we overcame obstacles, supported our neighbors, and continued to advance the mission of serving each and every child.

And rise we did. Despite the hardships, we celebrated another historic high school graduation season, welcomed statewide recognition for our instructional excellence, and sustained the positive momentum that has defined Buncombe County Schools. From being honored by the state as an Academically and Intellectually Gifted Promising Practices District to recognition of our school system as a Top 100 Employer in the state of North Carolina, we know these accomplishments were earned not in easy times, but in difficult ones. That makes them all the more powerful.

The State Board of Education has received the 2024-2025 State Assessment Results. State Assessments are a single data point for how students and schools are doing, but do not measure all that a student or school accomplished in a year. That said, they are an important data point.

Following this data release, the Buncombe County Schools system has much to celebrate, particularly taken in context of all that happened in our community last year.

The key takeaway for me is the Cohort Graduation Rate for the Class of 2025 of 91.4%! This is the second-highest Cohort Graduation Rate in the history of the school system, just missing the record by just one-tenth of a percent. The Cohort Graduation Rate for the last three school years represents the highest three cohort graduation rates in the history of the school system.

Some other quick take-aways, this year include:

1) 25 out of 27 Elementary/Intermediate Schools met or exceeded growth in reading!
2) 31 schools met or exceeded growth
3) 1 school previously designated as low-performing is no longer low-performing
4) 4 schools improved by an entire letter grade on their School Performance Grade!
5) 19 schools improved in grade level proficiency

As you would expect, the Data Release also highlights areas of growth that we are committed to addressing. Dr. Reed will provide detailed assessment results information in her annual report at our October School Board meeting.

This new school year I am excited that we will once again offer free breakfast and lunch for all students. We are entering into our third year of working with and being led by our Teacher Advisory Council, our Exceptional Children's Advisory Council, our Student Advisory Council, and will be launching an Advisory Council made up of representatives of our hourly employees. Our teammates having an authentic voice in leading our school system is how we achieve such remarkable results and how we have become a Top 100 Employer in the State.

As we step into this new year, we do so with the clarity of our new theme—#LeadTheClimb. Last year, we proved what it means to rise together; this year, we set our sights higher still. Leading the climb requires courage, steady leadership, and a willingness to support one another as we pursue the summit. I am confident that our team has everything it takes to make this the most meaningful year yet.

To our families and community partners—thank you for the encouragement and support you provide. To our educators and staff—thank you for your passion, your perseverance, and your deep care for our students. To our Board—thank you for your steady guidance and advocacy. And to our students—thank you for inspiring us each day to give our very best.

Together, we have shown that even when storms come, nothing can keep us from moving forward. This year, we climb with confidence.

Mister Chair, this concludes my comments.