Board approves Hill Consultants contract after state recommended technical assistance; members and public raise timing questions

Winston-Salem ' The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education on May 13 approved a financial consulting contract with Hill Consultants to help reconcile current-year overages and advise on budget adjustments before June 30.

The State Board of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction recommended the district obtain technical assistance after the state identified overspending in state allotments. Superintendent Tricia McManus said Hill Consultants arrived in late April to review district financial records and began work under the superintendent's limited spending authority ($25,000) because of urgency tied to the fiscal year end; the full contract for about $48,000 was placed on the board agenda for formal approval.

That sequence prompted questions from board members and members of the public about timing and notice. Resident Allen Daniel asked, "Who approved the contract for the financial consultant and when?" and noted press reports that early consultant findings had revised the district deficit estimate. Board member Lauren Miller asked whether the board should have approved the arrangement before consultants began; McManus said she consulted with legal counsel and the board chair and vice chair and that the initial work was authorized as permitted under superintendent…