ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The deadline for a report on a possible merger between Buncombe County and Asheville City schools is nearing.
Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 142 into law on Sept. 29, 2023. The law mandated the school systems study the feasibility of a merger. Buncombe County was designated the lead entity on the project. Charlotte-based Prismatic Services Inc. was awarded the contract to spearhead the study.
Prismatic is to submit a final report no later than Dec. 31. Once Prismatic makes its recommendations, the boards will meet to discuss them.
During a meeting earlier this year, Buncombe County Strategic Partnerships Director Rachael Sawyer said the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners could recommend a merger. So could the school districts. Or the local boards could vote to recommend the school districts remain separate. Then it’s up to the General Assembly, which could vote to merge the districts or not.
Prismatic Services Inc.’s work so far includes 1,143 data request items, 53 focus group participants, 168 interviews with personnel, 10 community forums, 7,245 surveys (from parents, staff and students) and 35 school observations.
The project’s next phase is the report at the end of the year. A presentation of findings and recommendations is expected to be made to county commissioners and school boards on Jan. 16, 2025. Their findings and recommendations are due to the General Assembly no later than Feb. 15, 2025.
PRIOR COVERAGE
Study will help decide if city, county school districts should merge