Forsyth County educators rally for increased funds for public schools

The Forsyth County Association of Educators led a rally Monday afternoon in support of more local funding for public education in the County Board of Commissioners’ proposed budget. 

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools requested $20 million from county commissioners this year.

But at $6.7 million, the county’s proposed budget only fulfills about a third of the request, leaving out funding for social workers, school nurses, and master’s degree pay to name a few. 

Forsyth County Association of Educators President Jenny Easter says that will cause problems for the school system. 

“I think the greatest consequence is that more educators will retire early. They will go to a different profession, where they are actually treated well and paid well," Easter said. "They will go across to a different district that can give more incentives.”

Easter and dozens of other educators, parents, students and community leaders spoke about local and state funding concerns at a rally in downtown Winston-Salem. 

“We need more money for teachers who are overworked and underpaid," Rev. Paul Ford said. "More money for school bus drivers who are overworked and underpaid. More money for behavioral supports, because that's the only way teachers can focus on teaching.” 

After hearing from several speakers, the group marched to the Forsyth County Government Center for a public hearing on the budget. 

The hearing ran for more than three hours. The majority of the speakers were there to advocate for public education, like Nicole Walters, a teacher who said she resigned after working multiple jobs for years to make ends meet. 

“This district has so many wonderful teachers who truly care about their students," Walters said. "But if they cannot provide for themselves or their families, then you will find here soon that I will not be the only one leaving.”

The Board of Commissioners are holding budget workshops this week, and a special meeting on Thursday to potentially adopt a budget.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.