ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville City Schools students, parents and members of the community packed into the ACS Board Room this evening to protest the dissolution of orchestra programs at Asheville Middle School and Asheville High School.
Every chair in the audience was filled during the ACS Board of Education meeting, which was held at 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 10, at the ACS Administrative Offices, 85 Mountain St., Asheville.
In the back of the room, people stood three rows deep. Several held signs. Others clutched instruments. They were all there in opposition to the recent announcement that the orchestra programs would not be returning for the 2026-27 school year, following a district decision to end the program citing low enrollment.
20+ participants speak during public comment
The announcement led to outcry from the Asheville arts community. At the meeting, 21 attendees signed up for public comment, a segment where members of the public may address the ACS BOE…