Superintendent Tricia McManus provided the Board of Education with an update on the budget planning process at the board meeting March 25.
WS/FCS will make strategic cost-saving reductions of $8 million to end the fiscal year in the black and $16 million to balance next year’s budget. This effort will position the district for long-term financial sustainability and stabilize the Fund Balance, a reserve fund available for emergencies.
“School districts across North Carolina are facing the same issue: The funding available to us simply is not enough to meet our expenses,” McManus said. “We will keep students at the forefront of every decision we make. We are committed to streamlining operations while maintaining the essential services that directly impact student achievement.”
The changes were prompted by the loss of state revenue due to lower student enrollment, the ending of federal pandemic-related funding, and inflationary and personnel cost increases.
McManus said the district will ensure that the majority of its resources directly support students and schools.
This school year, the district is planning to reduce substitute costs by reassigning licensed Central Office staff to open teaching positions where requested by principals. Other cost-cutting measures include freezing new hires, freezing spending, and reducing take-home cars.
Among the changes in the next school year, WS/FCS will restructure Central Office operations. An estimated 116 jobs will be affected, with 76 positions slated to be eliminated pending Board of Education approval. The district will also furlough the highest paid Central Office staff, reduce staff cell phones and take-home cars, and eliminate a contract with an outside agency that provides substitutes.
McManus said the district will work with staff members to make this transition as smooth as possible by offering guidance, resources, and where possible, opportunities for reassignment within the district.
Schools are also in the process of determining how many staff members they will have next year, based on the number of students attending. This is a process that happens annually.
“This will be a challenging time for all of us. But I believe these adjustments will position us for future success and strengthen our ability to build a sustainable future for our school district,” McManus said. “We are resilient, and together, we will navigate this transition in a way that honors our mission and values.”