Employee Funded Dental Plan
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education voted to move to an employee-paid system for dental insurance during their meeting on Tuesday night.
Historically, the district has paid for employees’ and retirees’ dental insurance and collected fees for family portions. Starting on January 1, 2026, the district will shift to an employee funded dental plan, which will save about $1.3 million this year and $2.5 million each future year.
Under the newly adopted plan, 12-month employees will pay $35.88 per month for dental insurance for themselves or $105.44 for their whole families, while 10-month employees will pay $43.06 per month for themselves or $126.53 for their families. The open enrollment period is active now and continues through November 7.
Interim Superintendent Catty Moore says that it’s rare across the state for districts to fully fund dental insurance for employees and retirees. Furthermore, this decision should create savings equal to about 33 jobs at the average district salary. Given available options, she feels this is a reasonable path towards greater financial stability.
“When we look at options to make reductions, this actually brings us in line with what most other districts are doing,” Moore said.
Custodial Services Payment
In 2022, WS/FCS entered a five-year contract with SSC for custodial services. The district incurred about $4.3 million in debt from this contract in the 2024-25 school year, and while services haven’t been interrupted and custodians have been paid consistently, it remains important for the district to finalize a repayment plan.
During the meeting, the board discussed a letter of intent from SCC detailing several options for extending the contract and spreading the debt over several years. No board action was required, but they may vote on one of the options in the letter as early as their next meeting.
Other Agenda Items
The board also held a public hearing on the potential renaming of Deaton Thompson Stadium after former Parkland High School football coach Homer Thompson. In addition to the new dental plan, the board approved a curriculum contract with Education Resource Group, LLC at Mineral Springs Middle School, a lot purchase for the new Ashley Elementary School, and an easement request from the Town of Walkertown for sidewalks outside of Walkertown Middle and High School.
Moore provided the board with a new update on the budget, details of which will be outlined in the next community budget update on Friday, September 26.
The Board of Education will meet again on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30 p.m.