Public school leaders in western NC counties hit hardest by Hurricane Helene continued to operate in crisis-response mode this week. Some of their schools still are providing temporary housing and food distribution services to local residents who lost their homes, and in some cases, school staff are manning these sites overnight to ensure safety and care.

Meanwhile, superintendents, principals, and central office leaders from the impacted region are working tirelessly to reopen schools for staff and students. While most of the 30 counties included in the federal disaster declaration area reopened schools by early to mid-October, a few of the hardest-hit counties are now looking at potential reopening dates in November or remain closed till further notice. Ashe, Watauga, and Yancey county schools remain closed through Oct. 18, while Avery County Schools plans to reopen to students on Nov. 6. Asheville City, Buncombe, and Mitchell counties do not yet have a reopening date set, and their school leaders continue focused efforts with local, state, and federal officials to restore roads and infrastructure to make a return to school possible.

As this massive long-term recovery continues, the NC General Assembly plans to return to session on Oct. 24 to consider a second round of Hurricane Helene relief. The NC Association of School Administrators (NCASA) is working with the superintendents in Regions 7 and 8 to identify specific policy changes and funding needs to ask lawmakers to consider in that session to assist the impacted school districts. Lawmakers already approved an initial relief package in House Bill 149 (Session Law 2024-51) that was signed into law on Oct. 10, and they indicated that legislation was only the start of funding and policy relief they know will be needed to facilitate recovery in western NC.

NCASA will provide updates on legislation to address the second round of relief, including the specific components for the affected school districts, once lawmakers return to Raleigh next week.