Budget Workshop- May 21, 2026

The Forsyth County Government held a budget workshop on May 21, 2026, focusing extensively on the school system's budget priorities, particularly funding for exceptional children (EC) services and teacher raises. Discussions highlighted the need for an additional $4 to $6 million beyond the base budget to cover local portions of state-mandated teacher raises. The board prioritized addressing unfunded state raises first, followed by restoring some EC teaching positions cut in previous years, with a proposal to add back 37 of the roughly 60 positions eliminated. The workshop also covered the complexities of EC staffing ratios, case management workloads, and the importance of meeting Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements. Additionally, the board reviewed various budget enhancements, including funding for community grants, emergency services vehicles, and a grant writer position. There was significant discussion about the community grants application process, including issues with incomplete applications and terminology used to describe non-compliance, with suggestions to improve communication and consider a more localized appeals process. The workshop included updates on capital improvement projects and adjustments to budget allocations due to changes in contracts and state funding. No formal votes were recorded during the session, but several action items were identified for further consideration in upcoming meetings.