A Message from Our Executive Director
Welcome Back & What's Ahead for CFEC:
Recent Developments, Strategic Progress, and a Focus on the Future
Nicholas McCoy, Executive Director, Centers for Exceptional Children (CFEC)
As we begin a new school year, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome back to our students, families, staff, and community partners. The start of a school year always brings renewed energy, excitement, and possibility. Across both of our campuses, children are returning to familiar faces, new pathways are being forged, and our team is once again focused on providing the highest quality of services and support that have defined CFEC for generations. We have much to look forward to in the year ahead, and we remain deeply grateful for the trust that families place in us each day.
As we look ahead, it is also important to reflect on where we have been. Over the past several months, CFEC, our families, staff, and community partners have navigated a period of significant discussion regarding the future of our long-standing partnership with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. The Board of Education's review process, which began in February 2026, created understandable uncertainty for many families connected to both The Children's Center and The Special Children's School.
While the Board of Education's June 9th decision to transition the remaining students from The Special Children's School to Ward Elementary following the 2026-27 school year represents a significant change for many families, it also provided much-needed clarity regarding the future of our partnership. Just as importantly, the Board directed the school administration to explore the development of a new multi-year operating agreement for The Children's Center, affirming CFEC's ongoing role in serving children and families throughout our community.
For more than 70 years, CFEC has evolved to meet the changing needs of children and families. The current transition does not represent the closure of The Special Children's School, but rather a shift in how services and partnerships may be structured after the 2026-27 school year. Most importantly, the Board's decision allows us to move forward with greater certainty and focus our attention on the opportunities that lie ahead.
We are approaching this moment proactively and with purpose. As we look beyond the immediate transition, CFEC has launched a comprehensive strategic planning process to help shape our direction over the next five years. Led by our Board of Directors, this effort will focus on mission impact, organizational sustainability, and emerging opportunities to better serve children and families. We are also establishing a permanent Parent & Caregiver Advisory Council to ensure our future direction is informed by the voices and experiences of those we serve. Throughout the process, we will actively engage parents, caregivers, staff, community partners, and other stakeholders to help shape and strengthen the final plan. Together, these efforts will help ensure that CFEC's next chapter is guided by thoughtful planning, meaningful community input, and a shared commitment to maximizing our impact for years to come.
Next year, CFEC will celebrate its 75th anniversary. While much has changed since our founding, our mission and commitment to children remain unchanged. Throughout our history, CFEC has adapted to evolving community needs while continuing to serve as a trusted resource for children with special needs and their families. As we look ahead, we do so with confidence in our legacy, appreciation for our partnerships, and optimism about the opportunities before us. The future will undoubtedly bring change, but it also brings the opportunity to build upon 75 years of impact and ensure that CFEC remains a vital community asset for generations to come.
— Nicholas McCoy
