WS Chronicle

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education has hired the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) to help facilitate its search for the next superintendent of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS).  To that end, the board is seeking direct input from interested students, parents, other members of the community, and staff to help shape the search process and to assist in defining the qualities and characteristics desired in the next WS/FCS superintendent. 

Student Survey.  The board invites students to participate in a special student survey that can be accessed and completed online by clicking the superintendent search survey link on the main WS/FCS webpage: https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/Page/113552.  For students without personal access to the Internet at home, the schools have computers with Internet access available for student use.  All surveys must be completed by Wednesday, May 8, with results to be compiled, summarized, and presented by NCSBA at the regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, May 14.

Community Survey.  The board also invites parents and other community members to participate in a community survey that can be accessed and completed online by clicking the superintendent search survey link on the main WS/FCS webpage: https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/.  For parents and other community members without personal access to the Internet at home, the Forsyth County Public Library has computers with Internet access available for public use.  All surveys must be completed by Wednesday, May 8, with results to be compiled, summarized, and presented by NCSBA at the regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, May 14.

Staff Survey.  In addition, all employees of WS/FCS will have an opportunity to complete a separate online staff survey.  Details about completing the employee version of the superintendent search survey will be communicated via school system e-mail.

Community Forums.  Students, parents, other members of the community and staff are also invited to attend one or more upcoming community forums, which are tentatively scheduled for April 24 at 8:00 a.m.; April 25 at 12:00 p.m.; May 2 at 6:30 p.m.; May 4 at 2:00 p.m.; and May 7 at 6:30 p.m.  The community forums will further allow the board to hear directly from stakeholders about the qualities and characteristics desired in the next WS/FCS superintendent. Planning for the community forums is currently ongoing, and additional information regarding the forums, including the locations, will be shared as soon as possible. Please mark these dates on your calendar and plan to attend one of the community forums at your convenience.

Statements from Community Groups and Organizations. In addition to input received from the surveys and community forums, local groups and organizations may submit written statements regarding the leadership qualities that they consider important in the next superintendent. Such statements should be submitted to Allison Schafer, NCSBA, P.O. Box 97877, Raleigh, NC 27624, or via e-mail at aschafer@ncsba.org, or fax at 919-841-4020. These statements should be received no later than Wednesday, May 8.

Public Comment.  Students, parents, other members of the community and staff also may sign up to address the board during the public comment period at any of the upcoming regularly scheduled board meetings, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on April 30 and May 14.  The meetings will be held in the auditorium of the Education Building, located at 4801 Bethania Station Road in Winston-Salem.  All individuals and groups must sign up to speak before the meeting begins and must otherwise comply with applicable board policy.