To provide up-to-date and transparent information about the district’s financial condition, this is the July 31 Community Budget Update.
Request for Support
This week, Board of Education members voted to send a request to Forsyth County state legislators requesting financial assistance in addressing the district’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget deficit.
In a formal letter to Rep. Donny Lambeth sent today, the head of the Forsyth County delegation, Board Chair Deanna Kaplan requested a special allocation of up to $50.1 million.
“Although we are moving forward with an aggressive approach to implement proper policies and procedures to ensure a balanced budget for FY 2025-2026, we still face significant liabilities from FY 2024-2025 that, without assistance, will impair our ability to serve our students,” Kaplan wrote.
The request would go toward paying for the current estimated budget deficit is $46.1 million and repaying a $4 million loan to the district’s Child Nutrition Fund.
“WS/FCS would need to take draconian measures to further reduce expenses — likely for years — to free up funds to pay this debt. Given the extensive cuts already made, we would not be able to shield schools and students from the impact of further reductions.,” Kaplan wrote.
“We do not take this request lightly. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and to rebuilding the public’s trust. But we urgently need your help to stabilize our district and protect the integrity of the education we provide,” she wrote.
Read the full letter.
Kaplan said she is working to set up a formal meeting with the legislative delegation to review the request, perhaps in August.
Budget Update
Interim Superintendent Catty Q. Moore gave a budget update at this week’s special board meeting.
She noted that the district is still working under a continuing budget resolution because the state has not yet adopted a Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget.
The district has recently received notice of a reduction in state allotments, which will need to be addressed. The district is also monitoring federal allotments and will need to make budget adjustments due to having $8 million less in federal funds carrying over from last fiscal year.
WS/FCS staff are continuing to review available funds and will need to make further reductions in local expenditures, Moore said. There may be an additional board meeting added to the calendar to address these issues, she said.
Hiring at schools is paused until the district can reassess enrollment at the 10th day of school. Central Office hiring continues to be frozen, except for substitute bus drivers, kitchen assistants and community coaches.
For past updates and other financial information, visit the Community Budget Update web portal.