Buncombe County Schools Reopening Planning

Buncombe County -- October 21, 2014: Buncombe County Schools: Good morning, BCS Families and Teammates.

Thank you for your strength and resilience in this time of recovery.

As our area continues to recover, our hearts remain with you, our students, and our community, who have suffered loss. Although all families have been affected in some way, so many have been helping across the area. Thank you for volunteering and serving our community.

This morning, our Board of Education approved a reopening plan for Buncombe County Schools. Wednesday, Oct. 23 and Thursday, Oct. 24 will be Return to Work days for teachers and staff, including bus drivers, TSAs, and nutrition team members. The first student day will be Friday, Oct. 25. That day, along with the school days of Oct. 28 through Nov. 1, will operate on a two-hour delay for students.

Our transportation team has been working with school administrators on new bus routes and community stops due to damaged roads and washed-out bridges. The two-hour delay schedule will allow our bus drivers to get accustomed to these new routes after sunrise. Because school will be operating on a two-hour delay schedule, Oct. 31 will no longer be an early dismissal day. At this time, the only other change to the school calendar would be the first semester being extended to Jan. 24, 2025.

Early next week, schools will be sharing bus information with you.

Since the hurricane hit, much work and thought have gone into a reopening plan. As of today, non-potable water service, power, and internet is restored to all 45 schools. We have started delivering drinking water for staff and students to all schools. Maintenance crews are finishing repair and restoration work, and Technology teams are reconnecting security and communication systems.

Our Student Services team has been working equally hard to prepare for the emotional wellbeing of our students and staff. We are grateful for the support of additional counselors from neighboring school systems who will come alongside our own teams to support our school family.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your school’s principal.
Thank you again for your grace and strength, and for showing that as a Buncombe County Schools family, Together We Rise!