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Interim superintendent details academic shortfalls and fiscal recovery plan as schools work to reduce a $33.5M deficit
Summary
Interim Superintendent Cathy Moore told commissioners that 38% of district schools did not meet growth and 19% received an F in 2024–25; she described steps—professional learning teams, targeted monitoring, an internal controls review and an audit advisory committee—and outlined debt, private fundraising and repayment plans designed to restore fiscal balance.
Interim Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Cathy Moore gave a comprehensive update on both academic performance and fiscal recovery efforts. Moore reported that for 2024–25 the district had 38% of schools not meeting growth and 19% of schools graded F under the state accountability model; she said these measures are an area of concern and stressed the need to prioritize exceeding growth to close achievement gaps.
Moore described initiatives the district is pursuing: rebooted professional learning teams (PLTs) for teachers, monitored walkthroughs and targeted supports for persistently low‑performing schools, a leadership development pipeline, and more frequent progress monitoring tools. She said alignment between progress‑monitoring tools and end‑of‑year assessments remains a challenge.
On fiscal controls and debt, Moore outlined three concurrent engagements: the office of the state auditor's rapid report (Aug. 14), the district’s financial statement audit, and a new internal controls review commissioned by NCDPI and conducted by Malden & Jenkins (kickoff complete; on‑site review scheduled for December; public report expected by February). She said the preliminary FY24‑25 figures show a net negative fund balance of about $33.5 million after applying fund balance. Moore detailed subsequent payments and pledged donations that have reduced vendor debt to about $3.9 million and left a negative fund balance of roughly $6.88 million in one of her slide examples; she said the district has budgeted $3.5 million for debt repayment this year and plans monthly payments beginning in December.
Moore said the district has worked with community donors (the Futures Fund and other private pledges) and emphasized the importance of accountability measures to prevent recurrence. She also described creation of an audit advisory committee policy to monitor corrective actions and recommended ongoing transparency and coordination between the board and district leadership.
The commissioners thanked Moore for the work and expressed cautious optimism; Moore said implementation requires continued fiscal discipline, community support, and structural improvements in budgeting and controls.
