WS/FCS Board of Education votes to consolidate Virtual Academy with other schools

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday to embed the district’s Virtual Academy within two other schools.

Officials say the move is the result of declining enrollment and will save the district nearly $1 million. 

Under the changes, Virtual Academy will cease to be its own school, and instead become a part of Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy, which serves 6th through 12th graders. Virtual Academy’s elementary program will also be phased out over the next two years, and embedded within Cook Literacy Model School until then. 

At the school board meeting, many speakers, like Forsyth County Association of Educators President Jenny Easter, shared concerns about how the changes would impact students and staff.

“I know students will still have the virtual class option at Cook and Winston Salem Prep, but I would argue it won't be at the same level of drive, engagement, or support as they are getting right now as a whole school entity and community," Easter said. 

The consolidation will mean job changes for teachers, administrators and other employees at the Virtual Academy. 

Officials say those who don’t retain a position within the new schools will be given first priority for other vacancies in the district. But there’s no guarantee those jobs will be virtual. 

The reduction in positions is estimated to save $950,000. Superintendent Tricia McManus says this won’t be the only cut made across the district. 

“We're in the process of making a lot of hard decisions and reductions on things that are being funded on local dollars," McManus said. "More of that will be coming out as we go and so we just have to realize that.”

The board voted 5-4 to approve the changes to the Virtual Academy.

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