Pathways Academy at Ward

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education approved the renaming of the Special Children’s School as Pathways Academy at Ward following a public hearing at their work session on Tuesday night.

The Special Children’s School currently operates out of a space leased from the Center for Exceptional Children. The board decided last year to end that lease and move the school to Ward Elementary School’s campus, where it will continue to operate independently and act as a “school within a school” dedicated to EC students. Because the name of the school belongs to CFEC, the district needed to approve a new name.

Staff and families at the school supported the name Pathways Academy at Ward. The new name is meant to represent a future of academic progress and independence for the school’s students while also welcoming the chance to partake in Ward’s culture. Even the acronym, PAW, is a subtle nod to Ward’s lion mascot.

“It provides a balance between honoring our school’s unique identity and embracing the opportunity to become a larger part of Ward,” said Teirra Brooks, a teacher assistant from the school. “The name represents our future.”

Pathways Academy at Ward will open in their new location at the start of the 2027-28 school year.

Buildings and Grounds Committee

The board discussed the plans for the new Ashley Elementary School during their Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting.

During a previous work session, the board members requested that staff review options to reduce the total square footage and construction cost of the new campus. The architect is now working on a plan that reduces the facility from 113,500 square feet to 103,500 square feet. 

Upon acceptance of this request, the architect and staff will finalize the documents that will allow the project to go out to bid and allow Balfour Beatty to prepare a guaranteed maximum price. The solicitation will include bid alternates for consideration by the Board of Education.

The Buildings and Grounds Committee also advanced multi-year leases on athletic fields, a lease with the City of Winston-Salem for the mobile unit at Easton Elementary School, a land transfer with the city of Winston-Salem, and a custodial services contract addendum for full board approval.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee heard an update from the district’s Audit Advisory Committee.

The Audit Advisory Committee was established earlier this year to provide an extra layer of financial accountability for the district. They support the board by reviewing the district’s annual audit, evaluating recommendations, and promoting transparency in financial operations. The seven members are all local residents who do not work for the district and come from professional backgrounds in financial oversight.

The district’s transition to Tyler ERP for its finance management software has made the logistics of this year’s audit more challenging. While steady progress is being made on the audit, the extra learning curve with the new software means it may not be complete until early 2027.

The Finance Committee also advanced a budget transfer and a contract with TEACCH for professional development in elementary schools for full board approval. This month’s Budget to Actuals overview is available to view here.

Curriculum Committee

The Curriculum Committee reviewed a plan to better support the core needs of students with disabilities.

Schools are straining to meet the educational needs of students with significant learning, developmental, behavioral, communication, and adaptive needs. Staffing shortages, increasing complexity of student needs, and shortfalls in early identification are all contributing factors to the issue.

To address these compounding pressures, the Forsyth County Commissioners approved $1.3 million in ring-fenced reserve funds for the 2026–27 fiscal year, funded by a 0.2-cent property tax increase. WS/FCS has submitted a formal allocation request totaling $1,317,665, inclusive of charter school pass-throughs, to add 14.5 full-time positions targeting high support needs in early elementary classrooms and Pre-K to Kindergarten transition continuity.

The Curriculum Committee also discussed new standards for the instructional material adoption process and new course requests. No action was taken during this committee meeting.

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee advanced revisions to Policy 3310 on participation by historically underutilized businesses.

North Carolina Senate Bill 257 eliminated the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses and corresponding legislation that required mandatory policies for local and state governmental entities calling for participation by minority owned, female owned, and disabled owned businesses. Policy 3310 has been reworked to comply with the state’s new requirements, focusing instead on race and gender-neutral small business enterprises.

The rationale for the revisions can be viewed here. The revised policy can be viewed here.

Steve Wood

It was announced that Board Member Steve Wood will be stepping away from board responsibilities while he receives care for injuries he received in an auto accident. He is expected to make a full recovery, and the rest of the board members took time at the beginning of the session to wish him a speedy recovery.

“On behalf of the entire board, we extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Steve and his family,” said Board Chair Deanna Kaplan. “We look forward to the day when he is fully recovered and back with us.”

The Board of Education will have their next full meeting on Tuesday, October 27.