Community Feedback Opportunities: Advocate for Education

Did you know that due to Hurricane Helene, Buncombe County cut nearly $4.7 million in funding to Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools in January 2025? Simultaneously, early childhood centers are trying to stay afloat amidst staffing shortages and facilities and operations impacts from the storm.

As relief funding and support reaches important stages for public comment. we are calling on our amazing R2S community to advocate for literacy and education! Local students have missed upward of a month of school this year due to the storm and winter weather early in 2025 – they need and deserve as much support as possible, and your voice is critical to ensuring our literacy and learning ecosystem stays strong.

Use the links below to read more and leave feedback about draft action plans for relief funding and education support.

---

City of Asheville releases Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) Draft Action Plan
Outlining unmet needs caused by Hurricane Helene within the Asheville city limits, the $225 million CDBG-DR grant Draft Action Plan also highlights the proposed programs and activities to be funded.

Community members can leave feedback on the plan through a public comment platform open through April 3, 2025. Click here to review the draft action plan and leave public comment.

Want to discuss more with folks in the community before you leave comment? Check out two remaining Equity Inquiry Parties hosted by The People's Place AVL. Together, the community is taking some powerful first steps toward putting together a strong analysis of the City’s draft plan for using an expected influx of $225 million in federal money for disaster recovery.

Click here to learn more and see the schedule of remaining sessions (join in person or online).

---

"Mo Wants to Know": Public Feedback for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice "Mo" Green
NC Department of Public Instruction is looking for community insights in alignment with the six pillars outlined in Superintendent Mo Green's Entry Plan: (1) prepare each student for their next phase in life, (2) invest fully in public education, (3) revere public school educators, (4) enhance parent and community support and partnerships, (5)

Community members can read Mo Green's entry plan and leave feedback on a public form. Click here to review the draft entry plan and leave feedback.