Durham Public Schools banning non-commercial kitchen appliances from classrooms

The new policy is set to take effect on Feb. 1.

“We are expending so much energy,” said Easley Elementary teacher Mike Richwalder. “We need that nice, little boost. Those nice, warm leftovers.”

The new policy states that appliances labeled as residential or household are not permitted to be used in schools. It includes mini-fridges, microwaves, toasters, toaster ovens, light fixtures and hot plates. The policy also says microwaves in break rooms now need to be commercial grade.

The memo said the school system tried to advocate on behalf of teachers.

“However, the Fire Marshal Division has made it clear that they consider these appliances a safety risk and will fine or sanction Durham Public Schools if they are found in an inspection,” the memo states.

However, Durham County Chief Fire Marshal Jason Shepherd told WRAL News that he did not say that. Shepherd took issue with the tone of the memo from Durham Public Schools, which he considers threatening.

Shepherd said DPS should have elaborated on why changes were needed. He said there was a fire in April 2022 at a school started by a mini-fridge. Fire inspections have shown circuits at schools are often overloaded, causing a safety concern.

DPS put out a statement Friday afternoon reiterating that these changes are to comply with fire code.

On Friday, WRAL News obtained an email Shepherd sent to leaders with Durham Public Schools.

"I am disappointed the messaging efforts from our office that are intended to create safe schools [continue] to get misrepresented or fabricated in a way that comes across as [threatening] your employees with fines or sanctions," Shepherd wrote. "Such behaviors are not a business model I subscribe to, nor do I promote from any member of our team."

Shepherd also had a request of district leaders.

"I would appreciate a public response to your DPS community indicating that our office did not communicate this messaging and, in fact, was fabricated by DPS," Shepherd wrote.

Several teachers told WRAL News the appliances gave them some comfort of home while on the job.

While there is tension between the school system and the fire marshal’s office over the policy, both agree it’s about the safety of students, teachers and faculty.

Richwalder, who is in his fourth year as a Durham Public Schools teacher, said the convenience of having his own fridge and microwave instead of using a communal one is key.

“We only have a 25-minute lunch break. and in that 25 minutes, we're responsible for getting our kids to the cafeteria and picking them up, using the restroom, heating our food and eating our food,” Richwalder said. “It's a time crunch.”

Richwalder said he has sent an email to Shepherd.

Also, Richwalder said he knows teachers who keep ice bags in the freezer component of their mini-fridges.

“The younger kids who fall and get hurt all the time and need ice, our teachers keep ice bags in their fridges for them,” he said.

Richwalder said he has not gotten an explanation from the district about the changes.

“This is the part that really baffles me, and I think is just absurd,” he said.