ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Drop-in meetings have been scheduled for community members to discuss the possibility of consolidating city and county school districts.

Buncombe County commissioners will also discuss the School District Consolidation Study during their meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the First Floor Conference Room at 200 College St.

In September 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly mandated that Asheville City and Buncombe County school systems study the feasibility of a merger and designated Buncombe County as the lead entity for the project. In September, Prismatic Services will lead nine drop-in community meetings as well as one online forum to gather community input that will be presented to the North Carolina General Assembly in February 2025.

The drop-in meetings are designed so community members can participate for 15-30 minutes at the time and location that best suits their schedules. Spanish interpretation will be provided. There will be an online forum for those who cannot attend in-person meetings.

Drop-in community meeting schedule:

  • Monday, Sept. 9 – 3:45-6:30 p.m. at Owen Middle, 730 Old U.S. Highway 60, Swannanoa
  • Tuesday, Sept. 10 – 3:45-6:30 p.m. at East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, Asheville
  • Thursday, Sept. 12 – 3:45-6:30 p.m. at Cane Creek Middle, 570 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher
  • Friday, Sept. 13 – 11:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m. at Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville
  • Monday, Sept. 16 – 3:45-6:45 p.m. at Isaac Dickson Elementary, 125 Hill St., Asheville
  • Tuesday, Sept. 17 – 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Erwin High, 60 Lees Creek Road, Asheville
  • Wednesday, Sept. 18 – 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Enka Intermediate, 125 Asheville Commerce Parkway, Candler
  • Thursday, Sept. 19 – 3:45-6:30 p.m. at Hall Fletcher Elementary, 60 Ridgelawn Road, Asheville
  • Friday, Sept. 20 – 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville
  • Monday, Sept. 23 – 5:30-7:30 p.m. in an online forum

For more information or to sign up for updates, CLICK HERE.

Other commission topics:

  • Commissioners are also expected to discuss establishing a short-term rentals committee to restart the process of writing an ordinance, work that bogged down this spring.
  • There will be a discussion of a plan to reduce wildfire risks in Pisgah National Forest.
  • Possible uses of the former Asheville Primary School will also be discussed. Possibilities include a Buncombe County Regional EMS Base and a public library.
  • Commissioners will also get an update on avian flu, although no transmission cases have been documented in the county.

CLICK HERE to see the agenda.