The purpose of this website is to educate the public regarding the school bond referendum on the ballot in Transylvania County for November 6, 2018. Questions? Please ask here on the site or call (828) 884-6173.
School Board Receives Ideas, Not Final Plans, Transylvania Times, September 17, 2018
“In today’s paper, readers will find a story and graphics of several options for the renovation and reconstruction of Brevard High School should the $68 million school bond referendum pass in November. A similar story about an option for Rosman High/Middle School was published last Monday.
“There seems to be some misunderstanding within the community at large and even some within the school system of the bond process and, in particular, the design process.”
New School Building Options Presented, Transylvania Times, September 13, 2018
“On Monday evening, Chad Roberson of the architectural firm Clark Nexsen provided the Transylvania County Board of Education with preliminary schematic options for Rosman High/Middle School and Brevard High School.
“Roberson said the options are not final plans, but are working documents broad in nature that would be revised based on constant feedback from the school board, administrators, teachers and the community.”
County Schools Demonstrate Value Of Safety, Transylvania Times, September 10, 2018, by Barbara Grimm
“As the faculty and staff of Brevard Elementary or any of the other Transylvania County Schools, it is our mission to spend every day ensuring kids that they will be safe and loved by caring adults. When this happens, great teaching and learning can occur. We are especially grateful to those in our community who share this vision with us, a vision that will give our students the amazing opportunities that they deserve.”
County Seeking State Grants For School Buildings, Transylvania Times, September 6, 2018
“Last Friday afternoon in a special called meeting, the Transylvania County Board of Education agreed, by a 4-0 vote, to apply for $19 million in grants from the state to be used for new construction at Brevard High and Rosman Middle schools.
“The Transylvania County Board of Commissioners approved applying for the grants earlier that morning in a special called meeting, as well (see related story).”
Board Hears School Bond Rules, Transylvania Times, August 23, 2018
“At the Transylvania County Board of Education meeting Monday evening, Board Attorney Chris Campbell informed school board members and school staff what they can and cannot do to advocate for the passage of the school bond referendum slated for November.
“Campbell said the purpose of discussing the guidelines in open session was to make sure that everyone is on the same page and to allow people to publicly ask questions.”
Commissioners Approve Steps For School Bond Vote, Transylvania Times, July 26, 2018
“Transylvania County commissioners on Monday approved more of the necessary steps to allow voters in November to approve or disapprove a $68 million bond referendum to make major renovations at Rosman Middle and Brevard and Rosman high schools.
“During their regular meeting Monday, commissioners approved several bond-related measures to get the referendum on the Nov. 6 general election ballot and held a required public hearing.”
Guest Column: Community Or Consolidated Schools: Clear Choice, Transylvania Times, October 5, 2017, special by the Board of Education
“Should one or more schools be consolidated in Transylvania County Schools?
“As Board of Education members, our responsibility to Transylvania County voters includes determining how many schools and programs we must have – and want to have – to serve all students effectively and efficiently. For that reason, we are pleased and not surprised that this question is being considered very carefully by the public, our students, families and staff, and our fellow elected officials.”
The Costs Of Consolidation, Transylvania Times, October 5, 2017
“If Transylvania County Schools were to build a single, new high school, we must note that this “consolidated” high school will not fit, nor is it feasible, on either of the existing high school sites. It is not as simple as adding students from one high school to the other, but involves many infrastructural changes to build capacity for serving a population spread out across Transylvania County.”
School Board Votes To Put Bond On 2018 Ballot, Transylvania Times, August 10, 2017
“The Transylvania County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday evening to request a general obligation bond be placed on the general election ballot in November 2018. The board, however, did not determine how much money for capital needs it would seek with the bond. That decision will be made at a later date.
“We’ve identified $93 million worth of (capital) needs in the school system that are legitimate needs,” said Superintendent Dr. Jeff McDaris. “I don’t think anybody is disputing that.”
School Board Fields Building Questions, Transylvania Times, March 23, 2017
“Why did school administrators choose major renovations over new schools? Should the local school system’s Master Facilities Plan be paid for with a limited obligation bond, a general bond referendum or a combination of the two? What are the timelines for construction and for pre-construction financing? How will student learning be affected during construction?
“Those were just some of the issues raised at Rosman Elementary School Monday night as approximately a dozen people attended the second community input session held by the Transylvania County Board of Education regarding major capital needs and a possible bond referendum.”
Board Hears Plan For School Buildings, Transylvania Times, February 13, 2017
“Last Monday night the Transylvania County Board of Education was presented the latest version of capital projects, including new multi-story buildings for Brevard High and Rosman High/Middle schools, that could be part of the school bond referendum.”
McDaris: School Bond Needs To Be Considered, Transylvania Times, September 10, 2015
“When the public schools opened nearly three weeks ago, many students entered their classes with new clothes, new shoes, new book bags and other items that were new. They did not, however, enter new schools.
“The schools in Transylvania County are old. The newest school in the county, Pisgah Forest Elementary School, was built in 1991. All of the other schools are substantially older.”
Study Looks To The Future, Transylvania Times, June 15, 2015
“A new study commissioned by Transylvania County Schools predicts a slight drop in student enrollment in the next 10 years, but school officials note the study doesn’t take into account the impact the new economic developments efforts in the county could have.
“The study was prepared by the Operations Research and Educational (OREd) Laboratory Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University. The study looked at information such as who are the largest employers, how many people commute out of the county for work, birth numbers and new residential development growth. It used that data to create a projection of the student enrollment in the county.”
Board: School Facility Study Needed, Transylvania Times, March 24, 2014
“A study of Transylvania County Schools’ facilities, including looking at consolidation, was unanimously backed last week by the Board of Education.”