In the face of subzero temperatures, approximately 50 education advocates gathered to express their discontent before the Buncombe County Commission meeting on Tuesday. The meeting resulted in a decision to slash $4.7 million from local school funding, a measure taken to address a significant budget deficit.
While school officials believe that staff layoffs or program cuts will not be necessary, they plan to utilize reserve funds to manage this year’s financial shortfall.
The budget cuts represent Buncombe County’s strategy to handle a broader budget crisis. The county had recently projected a budget deficit reaching up to $25 million, largely attributed to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, alongside various budget reductions.
In a vote that ended 5-2, the commissioners decided to reduce funding for Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools. Martin Moore and Jennifer Horton opposed the cuts but did not suggest an alternative budget plan.
Commissioner Drew Ball pointed to the financial strain caused by Hurricane Helene as the reason for his reluctant decision, a sentiment shared by all commissioners who voted for the cuts. “At the end of the day, we can’t spend money we don’t have,” he remarked. “Our schools are our priorities. But they also have to reflect realities.”
This reduction represents a 4% cut from the initially allocated funds in June, affecting both Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools by $3.9 million and $718,000, respectively. However, if state or federal funds become available, there may be an opportunity to amend the budget to replenish school funding.
The government has already implemented a hiring freeze for county departments, reduced library hours, and cut budgets for public health, social work, and economic services, totaling $17.6 million in reductions.
Similar to the schools, county leaders plan to dip into their fund balance, drawing $2.4 million on top of the $11 million already utilized earlier this year to balance the budget.
County Manager Avril Pinder indicated that without cuts to education funding, staff layoffs would become necessary. “I don’t know any place else to go look at this point,” Pinder said.
Horton expressed frustration at the county’s inability to find alternative cuts, stating, “As a woman that has been homeless in Buncombe County, when I couldn’t eat, my son ate. I was raised that we take care of our children first. And that’s all I have to say.”
READ MORE: “Buncombe budget primer: How the county spends more than $600 million”
A debate over how to use the fund balance
During the public comment session, Joan Hoffman, an education advocate, urged the county to use its fund balance more extensively to offset the funding shortfall. “This underfunding is really unsustainable,” she argued. “How is Hurricane Helene not enough of an emergency to dip into this fund balance? What are you waiting for?”
Kindergarten teacher Samantha Aycock emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that students require more resources, not fewer. “This is a critical emergency. We have to use the funds available,” she said.
Commissioner Moore described the budgetary decisions as frustrating. “It literally is taking food out of one child’s mouth to give to another when we make these calls sometimes,” he noted.
Others cautioned against dipping further into the fund balance, as it could threaten Buncombe’s financial stability. Finance Director Melissa Moore highlighted that the county is already on a credit “watch list,” and additional withdrawals could jeopardize its bond rating and borrowing capabilities.
“Our Triple AAA bond rating was upheld with a negative outlook,” she stated, adding that creditors “have doubts on our financial recovery.”
Screenshot from Buncombe County
School budgets are on a razor’s edge too
Prior to the vote, leaders from Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools shared their concerns about the potential impact of budget reductions.
Rob Jackson, superintendent of Buncombe County Schools, noted the challenges of implementing budget cuts at this stage in the school year. “I don’t know that there is a choice for Buncombe County Schools other than using our fund balance to get to the end of the year,” he said, stressing the importance of maintaining staffing levels.
Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie Fehrman echoed these views, highlighting that most of their budget is dedicated to staff salaries and benefits. She acknowledged that while the 4% reduction is feasible, it would be highly disruptive.
Both superintendents have indicated that there are no immediate plans to lay off staff, though future funding uncertainties could necessitate reductions in the next academic year.
Jackson mentioned that the school fund balance has been significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene, with $8 million in costs yet to be reimbursed. The district is already using $6 million from the fund balance to manage current financial obligations.
With dwindling reserves and an expected $1.8 million drop in state funding, Buncombe Schools may face staff reductions for the 2025-26 school year. “We just won’t have the fund balance available to continue on our plan,” Jackson said.
Education funding a constant challenge in Buncombe
Education remains a significant portion of Buncombe County’s annual spending and is a consistent budgetary challenge. During the June budget vote, Commissioner Al Whitesides labeled the current funding situation as “untenable” and advocated for a long-term financial strategy for education.
The county commissioners often express frustration with state-level funding for public education, as county contributions supplement state allocations.
The 2025 budget initially dedicated $129 million to education, representing 20% of Buncombe County’s $628 million total budget, necessitating a property tax increase to meet these financial commitments.
Since 2022, education costs have surged by over 25%, with Buncombe County increasing its funding to local schools by 36% over five years, despite a 7% decline in student enrollment, according to county reports.
North Carolina ranks near the bottom in terms of public education funding, according to research by the Education Law Center.
Other tidbits
- Commissioners approved zoning modifications for a 10-acre site near New Leicester Highway, changing its designation from residential to commercial.
- Buncombe’s rental assistance program will receive additional funding. Earlier this year, Asheville City Council allocated $624,000 in federal funds to the county for distribution to low-income renters, with 10% ($62,400) earmarked for administrative expenses.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners convenes at 200 College St., Room 326, in downtown Asheville on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. Access the full recording and agenda of the Jan. 21 meeting.
