County staff brief board on using privately raised funds to pay WS/FC Schools' debt to ESS Southeast LLC

County staff described a resolution authorizing the use of privately raised funds to pay off Winston‑Salem Forsyth County Schools' debt to ESS Southeast LLC pursuant to a conditional forgiveness resolution adopted Oct. 9, 2025. The board of education submitted a letter asking that ESS Southeast be named as the next entity to be paid following the North Carolina Department of Instruction. Staff said ESS Southeast has retained counsel and that its interest and fees are significantly higher than the county’s other school‑related debt (the school nutrition fund).

Staff told commissioners that Winston‑Salem Foundation pledges and payments total roughly $5.6 million (paid plus pledges), but not all funds have been received in cash. The resolution packet and the county’s forgiveness plan set a deadline of Dec. 31 for funds to be available under the forgiveness plan. Interim Superintendent Moore was expected to attend the Nov. 20 meeting to provide the school system’s debt‑repayment plan and budget update.

Commissioners asked about interest accrual and the status of the nutrition fund; staff said the nutrition fund was not paid down and that the board of education plans to begin monthly payments beginning in January. One commissioner cautioned that maintaining sufficient nutrition‑fund reserves during a time of fiscal pressure is important and asked the interim superintendent to be prepared to provide information on the nutrition fund at the Nov. 20 meeting.