Below is the BCS Board Briefing for December 6, 2022.
Photos from the meeting are viewable in Google Drive.
The recording of the meeting can be found on the BCS Communications YouTube page and also timestamped below.
Three of our board members took their oath of office this evening, facilitated by the Honorable Judge Ward D. Scott.
Rob Elliot represents the Reynolds District
Judy Lewis represents the Enka District
Kim Plemmons represents the Erwin District
The Board Elected Ann B. Franklin to be the board chair and Amy Churchill to serve as Vice-chair.
In our curriculum feature, we received a State of the Arts update from our District Art Specialist, Laura Mitchell. A highlight of the evening was a performance by the T.C. Roberson School Chamber Choir led by Alesia Baker.
In our Good News segment, we recognized David Thompson, our former Dir. of Student Services, who has been named the 2022 School Mental Health Champion by the National Center for School Mental Health.
Below is a look at the Action Agenda:
· 2022-2023 Budget Amendment #1
· Woodfin Elementary School: Procurement of Playground Equipment
· Approval of Contract for Smart Bus Programming Software: Edulog
· Sole Source Procurement Request: Radio Communications Company
· Sole Source Procurement Request: Paramount Security Consultants LLC
· Approval of School Improvement Plans 2022-2023
· Approval of District Preliminary Support Plan for Schools Designated as Low Performing
Good evening, Board Members, Teammates, Parents, and Members of the Community,
I grew up in the Swannanoa Valley, a proud native of Buncombe County. Though I may have grown up in humble circumstances, my dreams and opportunities were not limited. Incredible teachers, staff members, and administrators loved and challenged me. They refused to accept less than my very best and helped me see that with hard work, I could achieve my dreams. Having now visited all 45 of our schools, I can share with you that today, I see this same story playing out in the 45 schools that make up our great school system. I see our teachers and staff pouring themselves into the lives of the children, adolescents, and teenagers we are blessed to serve. I see the difference they are making. I want to invite members of the community to join in this work. You see you, too, can make a difference. When you share your time, talents, or treasures to support the work of the Buncombe County Schools, you are helping to create “Learning without Limits”; You are helping to ensure that students from Barnardsville to Black Mountain, from Leicester to Fairview, from Pisgah to Arden, from Weaverville to Woodfin, from Avery’s Creek to Haw Creek and all points in between, have access to amazing learning opportunities and the potential to achieve their dreams. If you are interested in learning how you can help out, I would encourage you to reach out to your school’s principal about the possibility of volunteering in the schools or in this season of giving, to the Buncombe County Schools Foundation to learn more about how your gifts of time, talents, or treasures may help our students.
I want to join the Board in welcoming Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Plemmons. Thank you both for daring to offer yourself to serve the community, for the long hours of study and service you will give, and for the leadership you will share. I wish you the very best as we impart on this new adventure together.
I am excited to continue the Superintendent’s Listening and Learning Adventure, 100 days of discovery and exploration. I have begun the next phase of this exciting adventure, spending a full school day in each school in the school system. During these visits, I am visiting classrooms, observing/participating in PLCs, meeting with school staff members, helping with lunchroom duty, volunteering to read with students, and having a whole lot of fun as I get to know the strengths and the challenges of each of our schools.
After the holidays, I will conduct “town hall-style” meetings in each district and online to have the opportunity to meet parents and community members. I will also be attending Town Council meetings in each municipality and attending County Commissioner meetings. Throughout all of these visits and in each of the meetings, I will be asking three questions:
What do you love best about this school system?,
What should never change in this school system?, and
What should I be working on first?
I have enjoyed our holiday concerts across the county as our vocalists and band members have shared their talents with the community. We are gifted with amazing student-musicians and with the incredible staff who lead them.
I would like to congratulate the Owen High School Men’s Cross Country Team and the Owen High School Men’s Soccer Team who each won the 2A State Championship. We are very proud of the Warhorses and of all of our student-athletes.
As I shared last month, in this moment, we recognize that we stand on the shoulders of giants. We face the challenges before us. We know that students, families, and the community have never needed a strong, loving, and caring school system as much as they do now. We accept this challenge. We commit to each and every one of our students. We will elevate to new and majestic heights.
We will give our all because our students are worthy of our very best efforts. To our team and to our Board Members, thank you for all that you do for the students, families, teachers, and staff of Buncombe County Schools. May you each enjoy an incredible holiday season.