Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Confronts Potential Staffing Cuts
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are navigating a precarious financial situation that might necessitate further reductions in staffing. School officials communicated this concern to local legislators in a meeting held on Monday, emphasizing the need for financial intervention to avert such measures.
The district is grappling with a substantial debt of approximately $37 million. A notable segment of this debt is owed to the state and will begin to accumulate interest starting in October. Interim Superintendent Catty Moore highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that without external financial support from the General Assembly, the district would need to implement more cuts.
“In order to make space in a budget for about $300,000 a month in payments, we’re going to need to reduce by another 40 to 50 positions,” Moore explained. This is in addition to the reduction of over 500 positions that have already been executed this year.
During the meeting, Rep. Donny Lambeth expressed that although the local delegation might back legislation to assist the district, gaining broader approval from both the House and Senate could prove to be challenging. He recommended that district leaders engage with the General Assembly’s Education Oversight Committee to mobilize the necessary support.
