(The Center Square) – The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system welcomes help from the state of North Carolina as it works to improves its trouble financial situation, a school system spokeswoman told The Center Square.

The school district, the state’s fourth largest and among the nation’s 100 most populous, still owes the state $3.4 million for spending more state funds than were allotted. The state board approved a repayment plan last week. The system’s total unpaid debts are around $38 million, spokeswoman Amanda Lehmert told The Center Square.