North Carolina Auditor Seeks Independent Review of Forsyth County Schools' $46M Deficit

North Carolina Auditor Dave Boliek has called on the State Board of Education and the Local Government Commission to initiate an independent review of internal control procedures at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools due to years of financial mismanagement and a $46 million budget deficit. Boliek's office found that the district failed to adjust staffing to declining enrollment and overspent, especially after federal COVID-relief funds ended in 2024, and that prior audits did not uncover some critical issues. The school district has proposed eliminating 344 positions to save over $18 million, including cuts to assistant principals and exceptional children’s teachers, and furloughing central office employees, but concerns remain about the sufficiency and timing of these measures. Boliek emphasized that this independent audit is necessary for effective oversight as the district navigates its financial crisis. Meanwhile, in Kentucky, State Auditor Allison Ball announced a special examination of Fayette County Public Schools, the state's second-largest district, following public concerns about financial management and a proposed tax increase to cover a $16 million deficit. Both states highlight ongoing scrutiny of school district financial practices and the role of independent audits in ensuring fiscal responsibility.