Asheville, Buncombe schools reopening plans: Challenges include water, bus routes, sanitation

As power, water and normal everyday operations slowly return to Asheville and Buncombe County nearly two weeks after T ropical Storm Helene slammed Western North Carolina on Sept. 27, the question on many people's minds is, when the kids will go back to school ?

At the Buncombe County briefing on Oct. 9, officials from both Buncombe County and Asheville City schools announced they have been working closely with the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Public Health Services to determine the safest way to reopen schools, and the necessary resources to do so.

Two of those vital resources include flushing toilets and hand-washing stations. However, many schools in the area do not have water access due to the damage Helene caused to the water system , which will likely take multiple weeks to restore.

To get students back in school as quickly and as safely as possible, city and county schools have created alternative options. Below are reported plans for reopening the schools in Asheville and all of Buncombe County.

When will Buncombe County schools reopen?

Rob Jackson, superintendent of Buncombe County Schools, reported that out of the county's 45 schools, 40 currently have power, but only 13 have water.

After talking to school leaders and state and local officials, Jackson announced the best option to provide all students with water is installing portable restroom trailers and hand washing stations. Buncombe County has placed a request for 939 restroom trailers and 391 hand washing stations to be installed across its school campuses as soon as possible.

Other challenges to opening the county's schools include remapping bus routes to transport students on safe, open roads and pivoting to grab-and-go meal options that do not require water for breakfast and lunch.

Jackson could not provide a date for reopening, but assured that students, staff and families will receive at least 72 hours of notice. In the meantime, Jackson encourages students to read or write and suggests families discuss the experience of Helene with young students. Social workers will be available on-site for students and staff working through emotional trauma when schools reopen.

When will Asheville city schools reopen?

Like Buncombe County, schools in Asheville have placed an order for restroom trailers. According to Superintendent Maggie Fehrman, the city has also begun drilling one or two wells on each campus, which could provide water to the schools in as soon as two weeks.

Fehrman said she hopes to reopen the city's schools on Oct. 28, but advised that date could change. Seventy Two hours notice will be given before Asheville schools open.

Until that opening date arrives, Asheville schools will be hosting optional bridge learning for all students in grades K-12. Starting Monday, Oct. 14, bridge learning will take place daily from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Isaac Dickson Elementary School and Hall Fletcher Elementary School, and meals will be available for pickup.

Additionally, with the early action deadline for college admissions quickly approaching on Nov. 1, Asheville will be hosting a college admission workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 2-6 p.m. at the Randolph campus. Reliable internet and guidance from teachers or counselors will be available for students as they fill out applications, and hot meals will be served.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville, Buncombe schools reopening plans: Challenges include water, bus routes, sanitation