When NC state government experienced difficult times in the 2001 budget, as a result of these problems, state funding to local schools was drastically reduced.
In response to the local school shortfall, the Buncombe County Board of Education requested and drafted a contract to increase local school funding with the Buncombe County Commission (Commission: See 11‐08‐01 contract). The agreement was agreed to and signed by Chairman Nathan Ramsey, Commissioner David Gantt, and all the other Commissioners.
The first attempt to honor this agreement was made during the June 18, 2002 Commissioner meeting (See 06‐18‐02 Minutes and video). Chairman Ramsey voted against honoring the contract and increasing school funding, stating that he felt “… we funded the schools adequately” (See 07‐11‐02 Asheville Citizen Times).
Commissioner Gantt voted to keep his “written word of honor, noting that “we are bound to value each other’s word and commitment” (See 07‐03‐02 Asheville Citizen Times column). The Buncombe County Board of Education seriously considered suing the Commission over inadequate funding.
After an emergency session, the Buncombe County Board of Education decided not to file the lawsuit (See 07‐11‐02 Asheville Citizen Times). The Asheville Citizen Times opined that the majority vote was based on “political maneuvering” (See 07‐03‐02 Asheville Citizen Times).
The Commission took a second vote on the question of whether to honor the November 8, 2001 contract to increase school funding on February 4, 2003 (See 02‐04‐03 Minutes and video). Again, Commissioner Gantt voted to increase school funding while Chairman Ramsey voted to deny this money to the schools.
A final vote to honor the November 8, 2001 agreement to increase school funding was made by Commissioner Gantt on June 17, 2003 (See 06‐17‐03 Minutes and video). The Commission, including Chairman Ramsey, voted a third time to deny the contract and more funding for the schools (See 06‐18‐03 Asheville Citizen Times).
Commissioner Gantt has continued to support the proper funding of our schools in each vote that has come before him. He has pledged to continue this support of our educational system in both good and bad
economic times. Gantt feels that investing in our children’s education is one of the best decisions the Commission can make.