ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Asheville City Schools (ACS) is moving toward a universal pre-K program. The long-term, costly process is currently funded by the county.
ACS leaders requested an additional $900,000 in grant money from Buncombe County’s Early Education committee.
ASHEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT WANTS ALMOST $1 MILLION MORE IN GRANT MONEY
The request ups the district's initial ask of $851,000 dollars to just over $1.7 million to expand the local pre-K program. The additional $920,000 will allow ACS to hire an additional pre-K teacher, offer all students transportation and create an aftercare program for parents unable to pick up children at the preschool’s current end time of 3:30 p.m.
On a deeper level, funding for the program takes an aim at addressing equity at its onset. Superintendent Gene Freeman says during the 2017-18 school year, 58% of preschool students were students of color, however to date only 21% are students of color.
He says the opportunity gap begins when some students arrive in kindergarten less prepared than their peers. The increase in grant money will also fund 18 full scholarship spots. “We got to do a better job of creating continuity of care,” he said.
Freeman says income and housing are predictors of student outcomes. He says students in public housing have benefitted from ‘education pods,' used as a means to reach students throughout the pandemic because it was directly in their immediate community. He says this proposal aims to relocate 6 preschool classes in public housing to reach students who would benefit most from the schools offering.
PODS GIVE ASHEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS STUDENTS A PLACE TO COMPLETE VIRTUAL ASSIGNMENTS
“I really think that we have to go from it but the stances we have to do something differently,” Superintendent Freeman said, adding, “All students will benefit from this rigorous program.”
Buncombe County commissioners will meet for their next Early Education committee meeting on April 6.
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WLOS — Numerous showers and thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rain will continue through Tuesday. The isolated flash flooding threat will gradually increase as earlier storms saturate the ground and raise stream levels, setting the stage for additional flooding from any storms that move over the same areas.
The primary threat with these storms will be heavy and potentially long-lived rainfall. This could result in localized flash flooding over locations affected by multiple storms or where drainage is poor.
Some of these storms will be capable of producing gusty winds and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.
Once again watching for the chance for heavy rain leading to a localized flash flood threat.
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="648" height="365"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg>)
WLOS — Numerous showers and thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rain will continue through Tuesday. The isolated flash flooding threat will gradually increase as earlier storms saturate the ground and raise stream levels, setting the stage for additional flooding from any storms that move over the same areas.
The primary threat with these storms will be heavy and potentially long-lived rainfall. This could result in localized flash flooding over locations affected by multiple storms or where drainage is poor.
Some of these storms will be capable of producing gusty winds and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.
Once again watching for the chance for heavy rain leading to a localized flash flood threat.
![WLOS](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="541" height="305"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg>)
