Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) Board of Education members will vote tonight on a proposal that could cut hundreds of staff positions, a move district leaders say is necessary to stabilize finances and keep classrooms running.
The plan, presented during a workshop Tuesday, would eliminate about 340 positions, shorten contracts for 300 employees, and furlough more than 600 central office staff. Interim Superintendent Catty Moore said the district must make permanent reductions to ensure it can continue meeting payroll and operational costs.
Direct Impact on Staff and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
If approved, nearly 270 full-time employees would lose their jobs within weeks. Formal notifications are expected next week, with September 12 set as the last day for employees not reassigned.
Chris Weikart, chief human resources officer, acknowledged the strain on the school community. “There’s nothing that’s good about this situation. It is messy, and it hurts,” he said. He added that while some staff may be reassigned to open roles, opportunities are limited.
To ease transitions, the district will provide affected employees with guidance on continuing benefits, resources for seeking work in other districts, and a preferred hiring list valid for three years should new positions open within Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
District leaders estimate the proposed cuts would save about $18.3 million, funds they say are critical to preventing deeper disruptions to school operations.
Balancing Finances With Student Needs
Moore stressed that the cuts are not tied to performance or value but are purely financial. “None of these recommendations have anything to do with the value or the need,” she said. The district emphasized that every role on the list supports schools and students, but reductions are unavoidable.
Board members raised concerns about the rapid timeline, questioning how quickly layoffs can be managed while keeping the needs of students front and center. Richard Watts, a board member, asked whether the district could carry out the changes with enough care.
District leaders explained that staffing decisions will be based on objective criteria such as years of service, evaluations, and qualifications. The number of positions ultimately cut may shift depending on final enrollment figures, which determine the amount of state funding schools receive. Those figures will be finalized on the 10th day of the new school year.
Looking Ahead of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
Consultants working with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools have indicated that additional reductions may be necessary later this school year, depending on the results of financial audits. Leaders acknowledged that more decisions could come in winter or spring.
Even as staff reductions loom, the district is also preparing to search for a permanent superintendent. On Tuesday, school board members reviewed presentations from two search firms and are expected to vote on which to hire. Moore, serving in the interim role, will continue guiding the district through both the staffing cuts and the leadership transition.
District leaders emphasized that the central goal is to safeguard student learning while balancing financial challenges. Every effort, they said, is being made to preserve teaching positions and minimize disruptions in classrooms.
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