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Tricia McManus Named Superintendent of WS/FC Schools

Tricia McManus and district staff visited several schools in January 2021 to observe classrooms, as more students returned to in-person learning after the holiday break. KERI BROWN/WFDD

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education officially has a new superintendent. At Tuesday's board meeting, officials announced Tricia McManus will lead the school system.

She's served as interim superintendent since Dr. Angela Hairston resigned nearly four months ago.

McManus was praised by several board members for her relationship building and her approach to the district's phased return to in-person learning.

McManus says one of her top priorities as superintendent will be advancing the district's equity plan.

"It's an honor to work with all of the educators throughout the district and our committed community to transform the educational experience we provide and the outcomes we achieve for every one of our students," she says. "I'm deeply committed to working with you all to meet the goals set forth in our strategic plan, and I have no doubt we can do this.”

McManus began working for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools in June of last year as deputy superintendent. Prior to that, she served as an assistant superintendent for Hillsborough County Schools in Florida. She has also worked as an elementary school teacher and principal. 

Board chair Malishai (Shai) Woodbury says McManus was offered a 28-month contract.

“We need solid, proven, continuous leadership because there is important work happening now that must continue, we don't have time to wait. I feel Tricia provides just that," says Woodbury. "Taking the time to search for a new leader, then give them time to learn and understand the system will slow down our plans to improve our underperforming schools, improve literacy, and move our students forward."

McManus's first official day as the new superintendent is Wednesday, Feb 24.

*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news

Keri Brown is a multi-award winning reporter and host at 88.5 WFDD. She has been honored with two regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her stories about coal ash, and was named the 2015 radio reporter of the year by the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC).Although she covers a variety of topics, her beats are environmental and education reporting.Keri comes to the Triad from West Virginia Public Broadcasting, where she served as the Chief Bureau Reporter for the Northern Panhandle. She produced stories for the state's Public Television and Radio programs and was honored by the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association for her feature and enterprise reporting.She also served as an adjunct instructor at Wheeling Jesuit University and Bethany College in West Virginia. She worked with the Center for Educational Technologies in Wheeling, WV, and other NASA centers across the country to develop several stories about the use of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts in the classroom.Keri's journalism career began at WTRF-TV 7 in Wheeling. She worked in several roles at the station, including the head assignment editor. She also was a field producer and assignment manager at WPGH-TV Fox 53 in Pittsburgh.Keri is a graduate of Ohio University. When she's not in the studio or working on a story, she enjoys watching college football with her family, cooking, and traveling.Keri is always looking for another great story idea, so please share them with her. You can follow her on Twitter @kerib_news.

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