Hello, BCS Staff and Families.
Here’s a look at the BCS Board Briefing for Nov. 5, 2026. The full broadcast is on YouTube, and photos are posted in this Google Drive folder.
In our Good News segment, we recognized and celebrated:
· High School Girls’ Flag Football Teams Inaugural Season- North Buncombe High School and Erwin High School
· Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Recognitions- T.C. Roberson High School and Erwin High School
· North Buncombe Women’s Tennis Doubles Team Wins 5A State Championship
· 2026-2027 Buncombe County Schools Beginning Teacher of the Year- Annali Silver, A.C. Reynolds High School
· 2026-2027 Buncombe County Schools Principal of the Year- Angie Trantham, Johnston Elementary School
Strategic Plan Highlight: Elevating Student Voices- Dr. Jamie Johnson
· Approval of 2026-2027 School Improvement Plans- Dr. Jan King
· Minutes: October 1, 2026 – Open Session Regular Meeting
· Minutes: September 24, 2026- Special Called Meeting
· Minutes: September 21, 2026- Policy Committee Meeting
· Personnel Report – November 5, 2026
· Advisory Council Members for Approval
· Advisory Council Members to Add/Remove
· Athletic Capital Outlay Request- A.C. Reynolds High School
· Approval of MSD Sewer Easement- W.D. Williams Elementary
Information Agenda
· Notification of Informal Construction & Repair Projects and Change Orders
· Policies for First Reading
o 7440 Assignments, Reassignments, Transfers
o 7920 Reduction in Force
o 7921 Non-Licensed Personnel Reduction
Announcements/Future Meetings
· The next Board of Education Policy Committee Meeting is November 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the Executive Conference Room at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC.
· The next regular Board of Education Meeting is December 10, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Minitorium. Work session updates and Closed Session begin at 4:00 p.m. in The Executive Conference Room at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC.
Good evening, Chairman Elliot, members of the Board, and our Buncombe County Schools community.
As I reflect on the first quarter of the school year, I am encouraged by the tremendous work happening across Buncombe County Schools. Tonight, I want to highlight a few accomplishments that demonstrate our progress and the commitment of the people who make these opportunities possible for students.
November is Career Development Month, and we have some exciting news to share. Recent statewide data ranks BCS 6th in North Carolina for Credentialing Improvement and 7th for Work-Based Learning Enrollments. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to preparing students with the skills and real-world experiences they need after graduation. Thank you to our educators, counselors, career development coordinators, administrators, and business partners who make this work possible.
We also have much to celebrate in the arts. BCS is one of only eight districts in North Carolina selected to participate in the Music Impact Coalition pilot, partnering with organizations such as Save the Music, the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, and the Grammy Museum. Speaking of the arts, we are also proud of our students selected for All-State Honors Orchestra and Chorus, as well as Nathan Brown, North Buncombe High School band director, who will present instructional strategies at the state music educators conference.
Athletics also continue to bring tremendous pride to our communities. All six traditional high schools have advanced to the state football playoffs! Our middle and high schools have also earned conference championships across numerous fall sports. These accomplishments reflect the teamwork, discipline, and dedication of our student-athletes and coaches.
I also want to recognize our Transportation Department for improvements in recent DPI bus inspections, including a perfect score on the 20 inventory items reviewed. Thank you to Director Andrew Rogers and our transportation team for their continued commitment to student safety.
Perhaps most importantly, we continue to see meaningful progress in teaching and learning. All K–1 teachers received training in our Fundations phonics curriculum, and beginning-of-year reading assessment data shows improvement across grades K–5 compared to last year. This year over year improvement is solid evidence of the momentum we are gaining in literacy throughout the system.
Teachers are also using data more intentionally to guide instruction, while our Exceptional Children Department continues targeted professional learning in literacy, mathematics, co-teaching, and specially designed instruction. These efforts strengthen our instructional practices and help us better meet the needs of every student.
These accomplishments are not isolated successes. They reflect the priorities outlined in our 2024–2027 BCS Strategic Plan, now entering its third and final year.
Our literacy and mathematics work supports student growth and proficiency. Our investments in the arts, athletics, and student engagement strengthen our school communities. Our growth in career credentialing and work-based learning prepares students for life beyond graduation. And our professional learning initiatives equip staff to meet the needs of every student.
As we enter this final year, we also have an important opportunity ahead: developing the next iteration of the BCS Strategic Plan.
Over the next several months, I will continue listening and learning from our teachers, principals, students, families, staff, and community partners. In January and February, we will host listening hubs in all six BCS districts, along with a virtual opportunity, to gather input from our staff and broader community.
These conversations will help us determine what we should preserve, where we need to pause and reflect, where we need to pivot, and what we should prioritize as we look toward the future. My vision is that our next strategic plan reflects the collective voice of our BCS community and provides a clear direction for our continued work.
We have a tremendous foundation upon which to build. I am proud of our progress, grateful for the people who make it possible, and excited about what lies ahead for Buncombe County Schools.
Mr. Chair, this concludes my comments.