WS/FCS shares plans for remaining COVID-19 relief funding

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools received $215 million through the second and third rounds of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds.

A portion of those funds must be spent within six months, or returned to the federal government. The rest must be dispersed by Sept. 30, 2024. 

The district's Chief Federal Programs Officer Kelly Hales explained how the district plans to spend the remaining funds during a school board meeting on Tuesday.

“So in terms of accelerated learning, that continued supplemental staff to our schools for direct services for students, such as our MTSS interventionists, our literacy coaches, and also our digital curricular resources, so students and families still have access to what's used in the classroom,” Hales said.

She said the district is also looking to use the money for mental health services, building repair projects, and professional development for staff. 

Board Member Leah Crowley says she would also like to see the district use ESSER funds to support various enrichment programs. 

“I just want to make sure that a large chunk of that money is going to that because that is the essence of the social-emotional part," Crowley said. "If we have exciting things to engage our students, I think a lot of the problems that we have will be reduced.”

Superintendent Tricia McManus confirmed that funding will be put towards enrichment programs. She said that could look like stipends for the coordinators or supply purchases, but specifics have not been decided yet. 

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