The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) are the heart of our community, nurturing future leaders and shaping the minds of our children. Yet, looming staff cuts threaten the quality of education, endangering the stability and effectiveness of our schools.

The district plans to reduce essential staff positions due to budgetary constraints, leaving our schools without vital personnel such as teachers, aides, and support staff. These cuts could increase class sizes, reduce individual attention for each student, and hinder the overall learning environment. Research from the National Education Association indicates that smaller class sizes significantly enhance students' academic performance and engagement.

Education is a crucial investment in our community's future, and it shouldn't suffer from financial shortfalls. We believe there are alternative solutions to alleviate budget issues without sacrificing key educational staff. Options such as reallocating existing resources, seeking additional funding through grants, partnerships with local businesses, and engaging the community in fundraising efforts should be thoroughly explored to prevent these detrimental cuts.

We, the undersigned residents, parents, students, educators, and community members of Forsyth County, strongly oppose the proposed elimination of 300–350 staff positions within Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

Such cuts will:

•Increase class sizes beyond safe and effective limits.
•Reduce support for students with special needs, disabilities, and English language learners.
•Remove vital teaching assistants, counselors, and support staff who make learning possible.
Harm the academic success, safety, and well-being of our children.

We call for:

Full budget transparency; a public breakdown of the $46 million deficit causes and all spending categories.
Immediate pause on staff cuts until alternative solutions are exhausted.
Prioritization of classroom staff over administrative expenditures, outside contracts, and non-essential programs.
Emergency funding measures, including use of reserve funds, state assistance requests, and budget reallocations, to protect student learning.

Our children’s education is not expendable. We urge the Board and County Commissioners to act now to protect WS/FCS students .

Good evening Chair, Members of the Board, Superintendent Moore, and fellow community members.

We understand that the district faces a $46 million deficit. But eliminating up to 350 positions — many of them directly supporting students — is not a solution. It is a permanent wound to our children’s education.

Larger class sizes mean less individualized attention. Fewer teaching assistants mean children with learning differences will be left behind. Cuts to counselors mean our students’ mental health needs will go unmet. We will feel these impacts for years to come.

We are asking for a pause on these cuts and for full budget transparency — show us where every dollar is going. Before cutting classroom staff, freeze administrative hiring, reduce consultant contracts, and review non-essential spending. Use emergency reserves, request state aid, and work with county commissioners for a short-term funding bridge.

We are not just taxpayers — we are parents, grandparents, and neighbors. Our students cannot be the first line of sacrifice when mistakes are made in budget planning.

Protect our classrooms. Protect our teachers. Protect our children’s future. We urge the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education and Forsyth County Commissioners to take immediate and decisive action to protect our educational workforce. The impact of these cuts will ripple throughout our community, affecting not just students and teachers, but families and future generations.

Join in advocating for our children's future by demanding that our schools remain adequately staffed. Your support can help ensure that every child in the WS/FCS district receives the quality education they deserve.

Please sign our petition to halt the proposed staff cuts and to show that our community stands for strong, well-supported schools.