To provide up-to-date and transparent information about the district’s financial condition, this is the September 19 Community Budget Update.
All in for Our Schools
This week, a coalition of nonprofits, foundations, business leaders, faith organizations and community advocates launched All in for Our Schools, a campaign to support WS/FCS students, teachers and schools.
“We’ve heard the community loud and clear that people want to know what and how they can help our teachers and students during this unprecedented crisis,” said Marni Eisner, executive director of the nonprofit Education Foundation, an independent foundation formed in 2022 to raise funds to support teacher and student enrichment. “It’s inspiring to witness local businesses, faith organizations, neighborhoods and others coming together to support our schools. The Education Collaborative is launching with specific initiatives to meet some of the most pressing and immediate needs in our local schools and providing the community with a centralized hub for giving and engaging.”
The campaign offers the opportunity for people to make a gift to fund student needs or directly purchase classroom supplies or books. Read more about the effort.
The foundation is seeking to raise $1.4 million to address a reduction in school supply dollars. Philanthropists Mike and Wendy Brenner pledged $500,000 to match contributions.
“We are deeply grateful for this collaborative effort from our nonprofit partners and individual donors. Strong public schools are the bedrock of a thriving community,” said Interim Superintendent Catty Q. Moore. “This collective engagement from our neighbors will benefit all students and help put them on the path of being future ready.”
Campaign partners include the Education Foundation, The Winston-Salem Foundation, The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Greater Winston-Salem Inc., Forsyth Technical Community College, Action 4 Equity, Bookmarks, Love Literacy, Forsyth Futures, Love Out Loud, Crossnore Communities for Children, Knollwood Baptist/Faith in the City, IAF and Thriving Together.
State of Education
Moore provided a district update at this week’s annual State of Education event, hosted by Greater Winston-Salem Inc.
It included an overview of the district as well as a high-level overview of the current financial challenges. See the presentation.
“We’ve got to find ways to move to the solution phase of this for our community,” Greater Winston-Salem Inc. President and CEO Mark Owens said of the district’s financial issues.
Coming Up
Next week, the Board of Education will meet with Forsyth County’s state representatives for a leadership meeting. The Board has requested the NC Legislature’s assistance in resolving the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 debt.
This meeting is public, however there will be no public participation portion. Please note, there is limited space in the auditorium and no overflow space available due to other events in the building.
On Tuesday, Moore will provide a budget update at the Board’s regular meeting.
Find past updates, presentations, and more on the Community Budget Update portal.