The Buncombe County Board of Education is concerned about how an increasing population in southern Buncombe County is affecting its schools, and the board is starting to plan for how it can pay to expand its campuses to accommodate this growth.
Despite a decline in overall enrollment numbers in area public schools since 2020, the population in Buncombe County Schools’ (BCS) largest district (which feeds its largest high school, T.C. Roberson), has remained relatively flat. Meanwhile, more residential units — about 1,100 — are planned in the Roberson district than anywhere else in the county, according to building permits compiled by BCS staff.
“There has been conversation throughout the community about the capacity and the size of our schools and the impact of the growth in southern Buncombe County,” noted BCS Superintendent Rob Jackson.
William W. Estes Elementary, in particular, has more students than it has room for in brick-and-mortar buildings, requiring it to rely on modular units to house some classrooms. A renovation project is already underway to expand Estes.
Board Vice Chair Amy Churchill, who represents the Roberson district, told Xpress after the board’s June 5 meeting that parents have expressed concern about higher-than-average class sizes in elementary schools in southern Buncombe County. She requested that the board add consideration of its facility needs to the agenda so the district can start planning for how it can handle a potentially increasing school population.
Jackson told the board that while enrollment in Roberson district schools declined slightly this year, likely due to Tropical Storm Helene, enrollment had been trending up in that district the previous few years.
Churchill said the district needs to start considering future capacity needs earlier than it normally would because of a state law that is still being considered in the N.C. General Assembly that could change how school districts fund capital projects. One option discussed by the board was the possibility of borrowing money for capital projects using a schools general obligation bond, which would require resident approval on a general election ballot. That option likely wouldn’t be available until at least the 2026 November election, noted board attorney Dean Shatley.
“We’re starting early to look at all the options that we have,” Churchill said.
Students lobby to eliminate uniform requirement
This year, only one Buncombe County school required students to wear uniforms — Charles T. Koontz Intermediate. Thanks to a student-led survey at the school, that will change next school year after the school board voted 7-0 to eliminate the requirement.
Koontz Principal Reginald Bright reported that a survey showed that 91% of students, 53% of parents and 77% of teachers voted against the uniform requirement.
Sandra Roberts, a student at Koontz who said she did “hours of research” in support of the conducted survey, told the board that it’s vital for students to be able to express themselves through their fashion choices.
“Most people who have had to wear uniforms are very confused about themselves,” she said.
Koontz serves students in fifth and sixth grades.
Parking costs to increase for students at BCS high schools
The Buncombe County school board voted 7-0 to increase parking fees for students at its high schools from $60 to $80 a year after a short discussion.
Board member Charles Martin said he has heard of some students parking in neighborhoods near their school instead of on campus to avoid parking fees and asked if it was wise to add a burden for families as they recover from Tropical Storm Helene.
Jackson said staff had carefully considered the viewpoints of school principals, and waivers were available for students from low-income families. This is the first raise in parking fees since 2020, he added. Board member Kim Plemmons said parking was more expensive at Asheville High School, which is in the Asheville City Schools (ACS) district.
ACS spokesperson Kim Dechant said the limited parking available for students at Asheville High School costs $100 per year.