The Avery County Board of Education approved the budget resolution for the 2025-26 academic year and reviewed student testing results during its meeting on September 9, 2025, at the ACS District Office. This decision comes amid ongoing efforts to enhance educational outcomes following significant disruptions caused by natural disasters.
The meeting commenced with commendations for staff members who have demonstrated exceptional service to the district. Levin Sudderth, a longstanding teacher and emergency services worker at Cranberry Middle School, was honored for his initiative in providing CPR training to all Pre-K teachers and approximately 40 bus drivers, ensuring that staff are prepared for emergencies. Additionally, Jacqueline Aldridge and Katherine Jones were recognized for their selection to the SREB Crisis Recovery Support Network. This program, funded by the state’s Department of Public Instruction, will equip them to support recovery efforts following significant crises.
During her presentation, Melissa Wike, the district’s financial officer, outlined the preliminary budget framework. Although final allotments, particularly those related to growth, will be finalized later in the fall, the resolution establishes a robust starting point. Wike reported a current fund balance of approximately $2 million, thanks in part to a county contribution that allowed the district to maintain operations through the summer. She emphasized that the district is entering the school year on stable financial footing.
Wike further elaborated on the prioritization of expenditures, indicating that state allotments will be utilized first, followed by local funds. She noted improvements in budget management, stating that principals and bookkeepers now have access to their site-based budgets. In collaboration with Caleb Hogan, the county’s CFO, Wike discussed the $9 million in Helene funds held by the county, highlighting the need for board approval for certain transfers.
The board also received an update on student performance metrics from Casey Johnson, Director of Testing and Accountability. Johnson presented a digital overview of the district’s 2024-25 Accountability Results, which indicated significant challenges, particularly due to the impact of Hurricane Helene. The storm caused the district to miss a total of 28 instructional days, along with additional remote learning days and snow days.
Johnson reported a notable decline in reading proficiency among elementary students, dropping from 55.3% in 2022-23 to 51.5% in 2024-25. The performance varied across grades, with Grade 3 achieving only 43.9% proficiency, ranking 7th regionally. In math, proficiency fell from 62.5% to 52.5%, with Grade 3 also showing a decrease to 51.6%.
In grades 6 to 8, Johnson acknowledged the resilience of Grade 6 students, who achieved a 63.2% proficiency in math, ranking 4th regionally. However, performance in grades 7 and 8 fell short of previous years, with reading proficiency dropping to 47.8% for Grade 7 and 44.8% for Grade 8.
High school results showed concerning trends as well. Proficiency in NC Math 1 plummeted to 7.8%, while NC Math 3 and English II saw slight improvements, reaching 54.6% and 49.6% respectively. The overall graduation rate for the 2024-25 academic year was reported at 86.8%, slightly below the state average.
Johnson concluded the presentation by emphasizing the need to address the challenges highlighted by the data, while also recognizing the efforts made within the district despite the adverse conditions.
In other matters, the board approved policy updates regarding contracts, federal grant administration, and the selection of architects and engineers. During the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Beth Penley provided updates on ongoing projects, including fencing installation at various schools and the introduction of therapy dogs to support students’ mental health.
The board is set to convene for its next monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on October 14, 2025. During public comments, concerns were raised regarding the support for English language learners, highlighting the need for more ESL instructors in the district.
For additional details on the proficiency data, the presentation can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/42tpx86z.
