PEP serves students from across all of Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools, so our winter weather plan is more complex than our traditional school counterparts.
The Winter Weather plan for the Progressive Education Program is as follows:
BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS CLOSURE
If Buncombe County Schools are closed, PEP is closed for all students.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS DELAY
If ALL of Buncombe County Schools is on a delay schedule, PEP operates on the same delay schedule.
TC ROBERSON DISTRICT DELAY
PEP is located in the TC Roberson District. If the TC Roberson District is on a delay schedule, PEP operates on the same delay schedule for all students.
TC ROBERSON DISTRICT CLOSURE
PEP is located in the TC Roberson District. If the TC Roberson District is closed, PEP is closed for all students even if ACS and/or the BCS district where the student resides is open.
CLOSURES AND/OR DELAYS FOR OTHER BCS DISTRICTS (NOT TC ROBERSON)
When BCS weather decisions affect only certain districts within the county, PEP follows the closing and/or delay decision for the district in which students reside. For example, if any of the other BCS districts (Enka, Erwin, Owen, North Buncombe, Reynolds) or Asheville City Schools are closed or are on a delay, students who live in those districts follow the closure or delay for the district where they live. There will not be an announcement made by Buncombe County Schools that is specific to PEP.
STUDENTS FROM ASHEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS
If a student is a resident of Asheville City Schools, they also follow all closing and delay decisions for Buncombe County Schools and the TC Roberson District. If there is a delay or closure for Asheville City Schools due to inclement weather, and Buncombe County Schools/TC Roberson District are OPEN, PEP cannot provide bus transportation for students who reside within the Asheville City Schools District.
INFORMATION FOR BUS RIDERS
PEP buses park all across Buncombe County and, therefore, must follow the closure/delay decisions based on parking location.
Bus 152: Parks at AC Reynolds; If the Reynolds District is closed, Bus 152 will not provide transportation to any student who rides this bus, regardless of the BCS district where the student resides. If the Reynolds District is on a delay, any student who rides this bus will be picked up in accordance with the delay schedule.
Buses 154 & 483: Park at Owen; If the Owen District is closed, Buses 154 and 483 will not provide transportation to any student who rides these buses, regardless of the BCS district where the student resides. If the Owen District is on a delay, any student who rides these buses will be picked up in accordance with the delay schedule.
Bus 158: Parks at Enka; If the Enka District is closed, Bus 158 will not provide transportation to any student who rides this bus, regardless of the BCS district where the student resides. If the Enka District is on a delay, any student who rides this bus will be picked up in accordance with the delay schedule.
Bus 159: Parks at Valley Springs; If the TC Roberson District is closed, there is no school for PEP. If the TC Roberson District is on a delay, students will be picked up according to the delay schedule. If students ride Bus 159 but live in another BCS district, these students will also be picked up according to the delay schedule.
Bus 160 & 702: Parks at Woodfin; If the Erwin District is closed, Buses 160 and 702 will not provide transportation to any student who rides this bus, regardless of the BCS/ACS district where the student resides. If the Erwin District is on a delay, any student who rides this bus will be picked up in accordance with the delay schedule.
Buses 487 & 490: Park at Erwin; If the Erwin District is closed, Buses 487 and 490 will not provide transportation to any student who rides these buses, regardless of the BCS district where the student resides. If the Erwin District is on a delay, any student who rides these buses will be picked up in accordance with the delay schedule.
Buses 490 & 701: Park at North Windy Ridge; If the North Buncombe District is closed, Buses 490 and 701 will not provide transportation to any student who rides these buses, regardless of the BCS district where the student resides. If the North Buncombe District is on a delay, any student who rides these buses will be picked up in accordance with the delay schedule.
*If PEP is unable to provide school bus transportation for any of these bus scenarios, parents/guardians are welcome to bring students to school 30 minutes prior to the opening of school; e.g. If there is a 2-Hour delay, students may be dropped off at 9:30.
If you are unsure of the school district for your residence, you may search for it here: Discover Buncombe - Schools.