As WCPS budget woes continue, Dunsmore named finalist for Florida superintendent post

The same day Wayne County Public Schools interim superintendent Dr. James Merrill told every principal in the district that serious cuts were coming — and that nothing, including staff positions and teacher supplements, was safe from the chopping block — former superintendent Dr. Michael Dunsmore participated in a community forum as one of four finalists for Martin County, Florida’s open superintendent job.

Dunsmore, who was identified by the Florida school district as an adjunct professor at East Carolina University, abruptly resigned in June after an auditor revealed WCPS was facing a multi-million-dollar budget shortfall — a deficit Merrill said remains unresolved.

Wayne County School Board members have repeatedly blamed Dunsmore for the deficit, arguing they had “no idea” the former superintendent was spending more money than the district had in its coffers for the last several years.

Multiple administrators have contacted the New Old North over the last few days, saying they have been told everything from elementary school art and music programs to middle school CTE courses and teacher supplements are in jeopardy.

Martin County School District officials are expected to announce who gets the job Tuesday.

Merrill is poised to address the Wayne board at its October 5 meeting to disclose what cuts he deems necessary to balance the budget.