Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District Aims for Efficiency with Proposed Boundary Changes
In an effort to enhance transportation efficiency and address outdated school zones, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school board is preparing to vote on significant residential boundary changes. These updates come after a comprehensive two-year review process, which included extensive community feedback.
Frank Pantano, a key figure in the project, emphasized the importance of optimizing transportation routes. According to Pantano, the current zoning has led to inefficiencies, such as families questioning the logic of their assigned school locations. “I have families call me all the time like, ‘Why is Piney Grove a mile down the road from me, but I have to drive to Walkertown, 10 miles? Why is that?’ Well, good news. We’re trying to make the change,” Pantano explained. “We need to get the implementation done, but we’re able to fix that.”
The proposed changes are expected to save the district more than 1,700 miles of travel each day, translating to over $1 million in annual savings. Additionally, the updates aim to minimize disruptions in school feeder patterns, which often result in students being separated from their peers.
Many students affected by the rezoning have already been attending their soon-to-be assigned schools through the district’s choice program. By officially designating these schools as their residential institutions, students will regain access to bus transportation, which was previously cut due to financial constraints in the district.
The school board is set to consider the implementation of these changes in May, with the new boundaries slated to take effect in the 2027-28 academic year.
