WS/FCS proposed budget calls for $20M increase in local funds

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education discussed a draft of the upcoming budget at a meeting last week, which includes a request for an additional $20 million from the county. 

The district, like others in the country, is grappling with the loss of federal COVID-19 funding as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief expires this year. 

Plus, the recent expansion of private school vouchers in North Carolina stands to cut the district’s state funding by more than $8 million. 

At last Tuesday's meeting, WS/FCS Chief Financial Officer Thomas Kranz said no school district he's ever worked with has had enough money, but this one is especially strained. 

“You have so few dollars available between the superintendent and y'all as a board, that I mean, I have to commend you for what you accomplish each and every day here," Kranz said. "But it's tight.”

Despite those challenges, the budget makes investments in things like core instruction, extracurriculars, mental health services and employee retention. 

That includes raising the average teacher supplement from about $8,000 to $10,000. Officials say that would be among the highest in the state, on par with Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Wake County Schools. 

To make the budget work, the district is asking for $184 million from the Forsyth County Commissioners — a $20 million increase from the year before. 

Several educators at the meeting spoke in support of this, like Kendall Fields, a teacher at Parkland High School and a candidate for county commission. 

“It is imperative that we have able-bodied trained professionals in each building to ensure that our students receive the structures that they need, and who aid in maintaining an environment that allows our school staff to promote academic development," Fields said. 

The school board will meet again on April 30 for a final vote on the budget. Then on May 9, the district will take it to the county commission.

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