ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is helping make sure students have what they need to begin the new school year.

A ‘Back to School’ drive is planned for Friday, Aug. 16 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Walmart located at 1636 Hendersonville Road in Asheville.

IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL FOR HENDERSON, SEVERAL WNC COUNTIES

Items the public can donate during the drive:

  • Backpacks
  • Notebooks
  • Pencils
  • Pens
  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Rulers
  • Glue Sticks
  • Scissor
  • Binders
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • All other school related items

The first day of school for Buncombe County Schools is Monday, Aug. 26.

SCHOOLS, SHORT-TERM RENTALS ON BUNCOMBE COUNTY AGENDA

In other news, several community meetings are planned in the coming months to gather more input on a possible merger between Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools.

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.

HOW FAMILIES CAN GET READY FOR A NEW SCHOOL YEAR

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

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