Amy Diaz

Flint, Winston-Salem

Contributor at Freelance

Education Reporter at WFDD-FM (Winston-Salem, NC)

@report4america corps member covering education for @885wfdd. tips: [email protected]

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Articles

WS/FCS is facing a major deficit. How did the district get here, and what's being done to fix it?

1 week ago | wfdd.org | Amy Diaz

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools deficit 0:00/7:26 There was an error loading the media player. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is facing a major deficit this year after a series of budgeting errors and declining state funding. In a matter of a few months, the shortfall ballooned, the state got involved and both the Chief Financial Officer and Superintendent retired. The turmoil has caused anxiety and distrust in the community, leaving many wanting answers.
WS/FCS to seek feedback on revised residential boundary changes next week

1 week ago | wfdd.org | Amy Diaz

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is releasing an updated draft of residential boundary changes to the public next week. District officials have spent the last several months meeting with the community to adjust residential school zones as part of a project funded by a federal grant. These haven’t been updated in more than 30 years, even as population density, birth rates, traffic patterns and more have changed.
WS/FCS to close 11 Pre-K classrooms due to low enrollment

1 week ago | wfdd.org | Amy Diaz

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is closing 11 Pre-K classrooms next year, largely due to low enrollment. Officials say the classrooms being closed have been under capacity for the last few years. They include those at Easton, Forest Park and Cook Literacy Model School, to name a few. But it’s not like children aren’t in need of slots. Chief Academic Officer Paula Wilkins says the district actually has a wait list for Pre-K.
Davidson County Schools begins free summer meal program

1 week ago | wfdd.org | Amy Diaz

Davidson County Schools is offering free summer meals to all children under 18 starting this week. Fourteen sites are providing breakfasts and lunches Monday through Thursday. The elementary schools will serve food through July 10, while the middle schools will end a couple of weeks earlier. Each site has its own set schedule for meal windows. The elementary schools start serving breakfast at 7:30, and lunch around 11. The middle schools are about an hour ahead.
Hundreds gather for peaceful 'No Kings' rally in High Point

2 weeks ago | wfdd.org | Amy Diaz

Hundreds of people marched through downtown High Point Saturday afternoon with a message: “No Kings.” Attendees joined thousands of others across the country in protest of what they say are authoritarian actions under President Donald Trump. Rally-goers in the Triad held signs calling for Trump to be “dethroned,” or “crowned” with criminal charges.
Winston-Salem to celebrate Pride this Saturday

2 weeks ago | wfdd.org | Amy Diaz

Tens of thousands of people are expected to march their way through downtown Winston-Salem tomorrow morning in honor of Pride. Following the parade, there will be bands, drag performers and speakers on two stages along Trade Street. Attendees can also check out more than 100 vendors and 12 food trucks. Jerry Morin, the president of Pride Winston-Salem, says the day is going to be fun and positive, but it’s been a challenging year.
WS/FCS to get therapy dog in response to rise in mental health concerns

2 weeks ago | wfdd.org | Amy Diaz

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has seen an uptick in students experiencing mental health issues. District officials say the Psychological Services department completed 447 suicide safety assessments this year— a 5% increase from the year before. There have also been more referrals for mental health services, and an apparent rise in students receiving a higher level of care, like hospitalization or psychiatric residential treatment.
Federal travel ban impacts international students in the Triad

2 weeks ago | wfdd.org | Amy Diaz

President Donald Trump’s recent travel ban is impacting international students in the Triad. The policy bars citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States, and partially restricts those from another seven. Most of these are in Africa or the Middle East. A spokesperson for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University says there are 25 enrolled students from Iran, Sudan and Republic of the Congo who are subject to the full ban.
WS/FCS to eliminate transportation to choice schools, reduce positions to avoid deficit next year

2 weeks ago | wfdd.org | Amy Diaz

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is moving forward with major cuts to avoid a deficit next year. But this year’s shortfall is still a problem — and could be worse than projected. At a school board meeting on Tuesday, Interim Superintendent Catty Moore identified about $45 million in cost-savings for next year’s budget. Though some board members had concerns, Moore said she was eliminating transportation for students attending choice schools, which does not include magnet schools.
Guilford County Schools to close four elementary schools

2 weeks ago | wfdd.org | Amy Diaz

The Guilford County Board of Education voted to close four elementary schools following a public hearing on Tuesday. Officials say the schools — Madison, Vandalia, Washington and Southern — are underutilized. Washington, for example, is at 42% capacity. Only a couple of parents came to the public hearing Tuesday night. They praised principals and teachers, and spoke about the value of having a small, tight-knit community.