The WS/FCS Board of Education has provided a detailed response to the state about actions it is taking to resolve financial issues.
WS/FCS used federal pandemic funds to provide additional support to meet the students’ growing academic and mental health needs. The district did not adequately forecast and plan for the reductions to personnel or programming needed to be made due to the loss of those federal funds and reduction in state dollars due to lower student enrollment, according to the letter sent the state Board of Education and NC Department of Public Instruction.
“The Board believes it is important to assure the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction that the cause of the current budget shortfall was not due to any intentional mismanagement or fraudulent activity by any school official,” reads the letter, signed by WS/FCS Superintendent Tricia McManus and WS/FCS School Board Chair Deanna Kaplan.
“The Board fully intends to comply with all laws and regulations related to budgeting, management and expenditure of public funds, and remains committed to ongoing transparency and cooperation throughout its budget development and management process.”
The district has worked since February to cut costs for this year, such as freezing hiring, eliminating take-home vehicles, and cancelling non-essential contracts. It’s working with HIL Consultants to find additional cost-saving measures.
The district will revise its internal controls and protocols to ensure accurate and timely financial information is available, including a monthly financial report to the board that compares budgeted figures to actual expenses.
See the full letter for more details.