WS Chronicle

Earlier this month the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) Building and Ground Committee approved a $862,200 contract for the local architectural firm, Walter Robbs Architecture, to design a new Ashley Elementary School. 

Here’s what we know: Although Ashley served as an elementary school in the mid-1990s, the building was originally built in the 1960s and operated as a middle school until it closed in the 1980s. In 2016, voters approved paying for the design of a new Ashley Elementary, but funding to build the new school was left off the 2016 Education Bond, which raised criticism from supporters who had been pushing for a new Ashely for years. 

In 2019, construction of a new Ashley took a step closer to becoming a reality when the Winston-Salem City Council approved the sale of vacant land located near Cleveland Avenue Homes. As reported by The Chronicle, WS/FCS made a request to purchase 18 lots located near East 21st Street and New Hope Lane near Highway 52. 

To finalize the deal, the city council had to rescind a previous deal for the sale of 24 lots to the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem (HAWS). In 2005 the Winston-Salem City Council adopted a resolution designating HAWS as the preferred developer for the residential lots in question and authorized the purchase of the lots at their appraised values. In the 14 years since the resolution was approved, HAWS has not proceeded with the development of the lots.

It is unclear when the design will be complete and funding for construction for the new school is still not in place. However, the district is discussing a 2024 bond referendum that is expected to include funding for construction for a new Ashley.