In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the reopening of schools in Buncombe County, emphasizing collaboration with the Incident Management Team (IMT) and the logistical support provided by Lieutenant Sean Fields. The group has agreed that all schools, including charter schools, will reopen on the same day, targeting October 28th, contingent on the availability of resources and the operational status of the municipal water system.

The meeting highlighted the importance of ensuring sufficient drinking water for students and staff, as the municipal water supply is currently under a boil water advisory. To address this, FEMA has recommended that each individual receive a half-liter bottle of water every two hours during the school day. Schools will initially operate on a shortened schedule of four hours to facilitate the distribution of water, with elementary schools running from 9 AM to 1 PM and middle and high schools from 10 AM to 2 PM.

For the first two weeks, the county and city will provide bottled water, after which schools will need to source their own. The logistics of water distribution are being coordinated, with Buncombe County Schools taking the lead in managing the ordering and distribution process.

Additionally, discussions included the potential for utilizing wells as a long-term solution for water supply disruptions. While concerns about water quality were raised, officials expressed a commitment to thoroughly evaluate the economic and safety implications of drilling wells after schools reopen.

The meeting concluded with a focus on ensuring that all necessary resources are in place for a smooth reopening, with ongoing assessments to adapt to changing circumstances.