The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are navigating a challenging financial landscape as they face reduced enrollment numbers and consequent funding cuts. During a recent budget workshop, Superintendent Don Phipps highlighted the significant drop in student numbers, with 1,551 fewer students enrolled compared to the previous year.
Phipps described the decline as substantial and expressed a desire to implement marketing strategies to recover the lost enrollment in the future. However, the immediate concern is the sizable reduction in state funding tied to student numbers.
“What we lose from the state is going to be about $11 million,” Phipps noted. “But that’s not $11 million in terms of $11 million that would have been put in our account. That includes the equivalent in positions and things like that.”
As a result, the district anticipates the elimination of approximately 80 positions, although Phipps reassured that these roles are likely already vacant, minimizing potential job losses.
This development follows a previous wave of position cuts less than a year ago, driven by a severe financial crisis. Educators have been advocating for the reinstatement of many roles, particularly in the exceptional children department. Phipps indicated that while some positions might be restored, not all can be reinstated.
A comprehensive budget proposal is expected to be presented to the board on April 14.
Furthermore, discussions during the school board meeting included talks with representatives from Elevation Strategies, a lobbying firm. The district is contemplating acquiring grant or private funds to employ a lobbyist who would represent the school system’s interests at the state level.
