Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools talks goals and staffing challenges ahead new school year
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools superintendent talks about staffing challenges, along with academic goals ahead of the new school year on Monday. WXII spoke with Superintendent Tricia McManus to get a look ahead of the 2023-24 school year. Staffing ChallengesMcManus said they do have several openings for both teachers and bus drivers this school year. She said there are around 167 teacher openings across 87 different schools. McManus said they specifically need more teachers for EC (special education) services, and elementary school. “As long as every student has high-quality teaching and learning happening for them every day and all day, then we’re good, and that can look very different ways. Honestly, as we move forward, we’ve got to be innovative and creative when we think about education. We are trying to solve a problem in a different time using some of the same solutions we’ve always used, so we’re trying to think out of the box and be creative,” McManus said.McManus also said the district needs more bus drivers this year. She said there are around 50 bus driver openings, which is a few more than last year. She said the county commissioners gave the district $1,000,000 to address these shortages. McManus said the district is working to find new ways to hire bus drivers, including classified salaries, along with new training and certification. The district has also announced new bus plans ahead of the new school year.Academic Goals McManus also emphasized the district has seen growth across the board over the last year. She said despite this growth, there is a little bit of catching up to do since the pandemic. “I don’t look at that as a challenge, I look at that as our cause, that’s our mission, that’s what we’re about in education. What I will say, our focus is here as we come into the school year. Our school board adopted the ‘portrait of a graduate’ and there are competencies in that that we want our students to walk out of our schools being able to demonstrate,” McManus said.McManus also said the district is working hard to make learning fun for students. “Our big focus this year is honestly joy in learning. Bring back joy in learning and having kids, you know, excited about being in their classrooms, having hands-on learning that’s relevant, that’s rigorous, that makes each of them think,” McManus said.She said the district has a math tutoring program and a reading program to help younger students get started. McManus said the “Heart Math” program is only at one school right now, but focuses on helping 1st through fifth graders. She also said the “Reading Warriors” program is currently offered at 17 schools to help kindergarteners and first graders hone in on their reading skills. Increased SecurityMcManus said a big priority of the district is to amp up security measures. She said the district is increasing metal detection in middle schools. These metal detectors have already been implemented in all high schools within the district. McManus said the district has also enhanced camera systems inside some of the schools.McManus also said the district is working with law enforcement and SROs and practicing a district-wide response training called “I Love You Guys.” “Everyone needs to know what to do when they hear the same message. And I think that when you call things different, call things what they are was one of their biggest messages. You don’t want to have an emergency happen in a school and people were like what was that, what did that stand for?” McManus said.Click the video player below to watch Superintendent Tricia McManus’ welcome back message to WS/FCS students and families.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools superintendent talks about staffing challenges, along with academic goals ahead of the new school year on Monday.
WXII spoke with Superintendent Tricia McManus to get a look ahead of the 2023-24 school year.
Staffing Challenges
McManus said they do have several openings for both teachers and bus drivers this school year.
She said there are around 167 teacher openings across 87 different schools. McManus said they specifically need more teachers for EC (special education) services, and elementary school.
“As long as every student has high-quality teaching and learning happening for them every day and all day, then we’re good, and that can look very different ways. Honestly, as we move forward, we’ve got to be innovative and creative when we think about education. We are trying to solve a problem in a different time using some of the same solutions we’ve always used, so we’re trying to think out of the box and be creative,” McManus said.
McManus also said the district needs more bus drivers this year. She said there are around 50 bus driver openings, which is a few more than last year.
She said the county commissioners gave the district $1,000,000 to address these shortages.
McManus said the district is working to find new ways to hire bus drivers, including classified salaries, along with new training and certification.
The district has also announced new bus plans ahead of the new school year.
Academic Goals
McManus also emphasized the district has seen growth across the board over the last year.
She said despite this growth, there is a little bit of catching up to do since the pandemic.
“I don’t look at that as a challenge, I look at that as our cause, that’s our mission, that’s what we’re about in education. What I will say, our focus is here as we come into the school year. Our school board adopted the ‘portrait of a graduate’ and there are competencies in that that we want our students to walk out of our schools being able to demonstrate,” McManus said.
McManus also said the district is working hard to make learning fun for students.
“Our big focus this year is honestly joy in learning. Bring back joy in learning and having kids, you know, excited about being in their classrooms, having hands-on learning that’s relevant, that’s rigorous, that makes each of them think,” McManus said.
She said the district has a math tutoring program and a reading program to help younger students get started.
McManus said the “Heart Math” program is only at one school right now, but focuses on helping 1st through fifth graders.
She also said the “Reading Warriors” program is currently offered at 17 schools to help kindergarteners and first graders hone in on their reading skills.
Increased Security
McManus said a big priority of the district is to amp up security measures.
She said the district is increasing metal detection in middle schools. These metal detectors have already been implemented in all high schools within the district.
McManus said the district has also enhanced camera systems inside some of the schools.
McManus also said the district is working with law enforcement and SROs and practicing a district-wide response training called “I Love You Guys.”
“Everyone needs to know what to do when they hear the same message. And I think that when you call things different, call things what they are was one of their biggest messages. You don’t want to have an emergency happen in a school and people were like what was that, what did that stand for?” McManus said.
Click the video player below to watch Superintendent Tricia McManus’ welcome back message to WS/FCS students and families.
