Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Contract Equity topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge equity; board approves Pepsi bottling contract 7–2
Summary
Public comment raised gender‑based funding disparities in the proposed Pepsi contract; the board discussed scholarship and terminal funding allocations and voted 7–2 to approve, with staff noting discretion to reallocate funds.
The Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Schools board approved a Pepsi bottling contract on June 25 despite public concerns that the agreement allocates far more support to boys’ basketball than girls’ programs.
Public commenter Karen Cuthrell urged the board to reject the contract until funding was equalized, citing line items in the proposal that she said allocated $5,000 to the Frank Spencer boys’ bracket but only $1,500 to the Mary Garber girls’ tournament and awarding scholarships to boys but not girls. Cuthrell warned the disparity sends a message of unequal value for girls’ athletics and urged the board to uphold its equity commitments.
"The proposed contract … raises several concerns about fairness and equity," Cuthrell said, summarizing the funding differences she read from the contract materials.
Board members discussed whether the scholarship language allowed the district discretion to reassign funds; staff confirmed some flexibility and committed to reviewing the specific contract language. Board member Watts said he had concerns about leveraging more benefits for schools and scholarship distribution but supported forwarding the contract subject to staff follow up. The motion to approve the contract passed 7–2.
District staff told the board they would review the scholarship language and work to ensure the district could allocate funds in a manner consistent with board equity goals.
