Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has 5 executives leading key functions including auxiliary services, human resources, financial management, communications, and general operations.

Committed to academic excellence, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools fosters a supportive learning environment across elementary, middle, high, and magnet schools to ensure student success.

Leadership Roles at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

  • Interim Chief Financial Officer - Kimberly Forbes
  • Chief Operating Officer, Auxiliary Services - Ken Kucirka
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Christopher Weikart
  • Chief Communications Officer - Amanda Killian
  • Chief Operations Officer - Lauren Richards
  • Kimberly Forbes - Interim Chief Financial Officer

    Kimberly Forbes, the Interim Chief Financial Officer at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, manages the fiscal health and budgetary integrity of the entire district. Forbes directs the allocation of state and local funding to support classroom instruction, technology integration, and facility maintenance. By monitoring revenue streams and expenditure patterns, the Interim Chief Financial Officer ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements while maximizing the impact of available resources. Kimberly Forbes provides critical financial analysis to the Board to guide long-term strategic planning across the North Carolina region. This role involves overseeing payroll, accounting, and audit functions to maintain transparency and accountability. Through rigorous financial oversight, Forbes supports the district's ability to deliver comprehensive educational programs. The Interim Chief Financial Officer remains dedicated to fiscal sustainability, ensuring that every dollar directly contributes to the academic growth and development of students within the school system.

    Ken Kucirka - Chief Operating Officer, Auxiliary Services

    Ken Kucirka, the Chief Operating Officer, Auxiliary Services at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, manages the essential infrastructure supporting the district's educational mission. Kucirka directs the maintenance, transportation, and child nutrition departments to ensure seamless daily operations across all school facilities. By optimizing resource allocation, the Chief Operating Officer, Auxiliary Services maintains safe and efficient environments for students and staff throughout the North Carolina region. Ken Kucirka coordinates with district leadership to align facility upgrades with long-term capital improvement plans. This role involves rigorous oversight of vendor contracts and service delivery standards to maximize operational value. Through proactive management of auxiliary systems, Kucirka supports the broader goal of providing high-quality learning spaces. The Chief Operating Officer, Auxiliary Services remains focused on enhancing the physical infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the diverse student population within the district.

    Christopher Weikart - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Christopher Weikart, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, architects the talent acquisition and retention strategies necessary for a high-performing educational workforce. Weikart oversees recruitment, benefits administration, and professional development programs to attract top-tier educators to the district. By implementing robust performance management systems, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that staff capabilities align with the academic objectives of the school system. Christopher Weikart drives initiatives focused on employee engagement and workplace culture to reduce turnover across the North Carolina region. This leadership role involves collaborating with the Board to navigate complex labor relations and policy compliance. Through the strategic management of human capital, Weikart secures the instructional quality required for student achievement. The Chief Human Resources Officer continuously refines hiring processes to build a diverse and effective team capable of meeting the unique demands of the K-12 environment.
    Christopher Weikart

    Amanda Killian - Chief Communications Officer

    Amanda Killian, the Chief Communications Officer at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, drives the district's public relations and community engagement strategies. Killian manages internal and external messaging to ensure clear, consistent communication between the school system and the broader North Carolina community. By overseeing media relations, digital content, and crisis communication, the Chief Communications Officer protects the reputation of the district while fostering trust with parents and stakeholders. Amanda Killian coordinates with district leadership to highlight academic achievements and school initiatives through various platforms. This role involves developing comprehensive outreach plans to increase community involvement and support for educational programs. Through strategic storytelling and transparent information sharing, Killian strengthens the connection between the schools and the public. The Chief Communications Officer continuously evaluates communication effectiveness to ensure that all stakeholders remain informed and engaged with the mission of the district.

    Lauren Richards - Chief Operations Officer

    Lauren Richards, the Chief Operations Officer at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, executes the strategic planning and logistical coordination required for district-wide operational excellence. Richards oversees the implementation of safety protocols, emergency management, and administrative workflows to ensure a secure environment for all students and staff. By streamlining cross-departmental processes, the Chief Operations Officer improves the efficiency of daily school functions across the North Carolina region. Lauren Richards collaborates with other executive leaders to align operational capacity with the academic goals of the district. This role involves managing large-scale projects and evaluating performance metrics to drive continuous improvement in service delivery. Through the systematic oversight of operational workflows, Richards supports the overall stability and growth of the school system. The Chief Operations Officer remains focused on creating a cohesive organizational structure that allows educators to prioritize teaching and learning above all else.
    Lauren Richards

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools?
    Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is led by Kimberly Forbes (Interim Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Ken Kucirka (Chief Operating Officer, Auxiliary Services) and Christopher Weikart (Chief Human Resources Officer).
    Who is part of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools’s executive team?
    The executive team of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools includes leaders such as Kimberly Forbes (Interim Chief Financial Officer), Ken Kucirka (Chief Operating Officer, Auxiliary Services), Christopher Weikart (Chief Human Resources Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools have?
    Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools includes roles such as Interim Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Auxiliary Services, Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Communications Officer, Chief Operations Officer.