Public school closures on the rise in NC amid enrollment declines Public schools across North Carolina are seeing enrollment declines, resulting in reductions in state funding. As districts prepare their budgets under these financial constraints, many are making dif...

Always enjoy getting to chat with @amyediaz.bsky.social with WFDD

#ncpol

Carver High School teens practice yoga, talk about feelings in 'Restoration Room' Students created the room in November as a safe space to discuss their feelings and learn to cope after multiple instances of community violence this past year.

I spent some time in a really special, student-led space called the 'Restoration Room' in a Winston-Salem high school recently. www.wfdd.org/education/20...

NC Head Start closures leave working parents 'scrambling' to find child care More than 2,500 children have lost their Head Start programs in the state amid the shutdown so far.

www.wfdd.org/education/20...

'My heart is broken': WS/FCS prepares to cut 350 positions The reductions would affect exceptional children’s teachers, non-instructional support staff, assistant principals and central office positions. The district is also considering eliminating dental ins...

The interim superintendent, school board members and teachers in the audience all shed tears at last night's meeting. www.wfdd.org/education/20...

WS/FCS to consider eliminating transportation to choice schools, increasing class sizes The district has already made more than $23 million in cuts, which include a reduction of over 200 positions. But it has another $13 million to go.

WS/FCS needs to make $13 million in cuts to avoid a deficit next year. Here's how officials discussed doing it at a budget workshop Tuesday: www.wfdd.org/story/wsfcs-...

Indie rock band Detective Blind on growing up, and writing songs with your sisters Detective Blind is one of three youth bands playing WFDD’s Spring Fling event this weekend. They’re an Asheville-based indie rock group with catchy riffs, distinctive harmonies and a bond that goes be...

I got to do a little arts reporting recently! Check out this very cool band made up of three cool sisters who will be performing at WFDD's Spring Fling this Saturday. Also, get your tickets to come to the show!

Carolina Curious: How many private schools receiving Opportunity Scholarships serve students with disabilities? Last year, the North Carolina General Assembly voted to significantly increase funding for private school vouchers, also known as Opportunity Scholarships. The state has spent nearly $383 million on t...

Did some digging into which North Carolina private schools receiving Opportunity Scholarship funding accept and accommodate students with disabilities. Turns out not all of them do.

U.S. Department of Education cancels teacher training grants for Triad universities Winston-Salem TEACH is a partnership between Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University and Salem College working to create a pipeline of quality teachers for local high-need public schools. The bulk of their funding comes from a U.S. Department of Education grant that was canceled last week.

Winston-Salem TEACH is a partnership between Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University and Salem College working to create a pipeline of quality teachers for local public schools. The bulk of their funding comes from a U.S. Department of Education grant that was canceled last week.

How are Triad universities responding to new federal orders targeting DEI practices? The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has removed a Diversity and Equity course requirement from its general education program in order to comply with new federal orders to end DEI practices....

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has removed a Diversity and Equity course requirement from its general education program in order to comply with new federal orders to end DEI practices. Schools across the Triad are working to determine if they need to make changes as well.

WS/FCS will also only allow ICE agents to enter a school if there is an official subpoena signed by a judge. She said the district will “continue to work to ensure that our families feel safe and welcome in every school in our school district."

Superintendent Tricia McManus gave a quick update on changes in federal policy allowing immigration agencies to make arrests at schools. She said the district does not track citizenship status for students or families.

Most neighboring districts don’t do pre-employment drug tests for non-CDL holders, but lots of public speakers and board members had concerns about “lowering the standards” for WS/FCS.

The board rejected a policy change that would have allowed the district to hire applicants who test positive for cannabis under the condition that they take four random drug tests in the year at their own expense.

The board voted to make up missed days due to inclement weather with extra days (May 21-23) at the end of the year rather than extending the school day by 15 minutes. One of the big concerns about the school day extension was making students late to after-school activities/jobs.

Long WS/FCS board meeting last night! I'll have a story out later this afternoon, but here are some of the big takeaways:

Award-winning author Jesmyn Ward to speak at Wake Forest University Dec. 5 MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient and two-time National Book Award-winner Jesmyn Ward will be speaking at Wake Forest University tonight. The conversation is part of the university’s Face to Face Spe...

I had the honor of interviewing MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient and two-time National Book Award-winner Jesmyn Ward yesterday! She'll be speaking at Wake Forest University this evening.

Community celebrates reveal of newly renovated teachers' lounge at Easton Elementary School The teachers’ lounge at a Winston-Salem elementary school got a makeover this year. Local elected officials joined school staff and volunteers to celebrate the reveal on Wednesday.

some sweet news!