WS/FCS appoints interim superintendent, votes to request extra $32M from county

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education voted to appoint an interim superintendent and request additional funding from the county at their meeting Tuesday night. 

The new interim superintendent, Catty Moore, has worked in public education for more than 30 years and is currently a member of the North Carolina State Board of Education. She also previously served as the superintendent of the Wake County Public School System. 

Moore will assume the role on June 2, as Tricia McManus retires that month. McManus shared a few words about her appointment at the meeting. 

“She's an incredible, experienced superintendent with just an incredible reputation, leader in our state," McManus said. "And she is community-oriented. She is an equity champion. She will know exactly what to do to come in and move things forward around budget savings.”

The district is facing a major financial crisis with a $42 million projected shortfall for this fiscal year. 

Shortly after discussion of the appointment, Board Members Robert Barr and Susan Miller called for McManus to be terminated as a result of the financial issues. 

"Superintendent McManus, you have accepted responsibility for these actions, but there is accountability in order," Miller said, before making a motion to terminate her. 

Some audience members shouted their disapproval. Board Member Richard Watts said he was appalled at their suggestions.

"We've had every opportunity behind closed session to voice your opinions," Watts said. 

Ultimately, McManus’s termination did not come up for a vote. The board did, however, vote to ask the county for $32 million to cover a portion of the district’s deficit.

The projected shortfall for this fiscal year is now $42 million. 

McManus said the county request would allow the district to repay the state what was overspent. The district would later pay the county back based on terms both entities could agree on.  

The school board had previously decided not to request extra funds from commissioners. This new ask comes as the county is already in the midst of its own budget process, with a vote slated for June 5. 

The funding in question would only help cover this year’s deficit though — the school district still needs to make $13 million in cuts for next fiscal year. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.