Durham educators to rally ahead of school board hearing to review new proposed budget
The Durham Association of Educators have planned a rally Thursday night ahead of the school board’s meeting about the budget.
Durham Public Schools employees are protesting over pay – again.
Just last month, they rallied demanding higher salaries.
Employees’ recent push back led to canceled classes for multiple days.
Thursday night, the board will review a new proposed budget.
Interim Superintendent Catty Moore is requesting $8 million to fund salaries for classified staff. That includes therapists, teachers’ assistants and transportation workers.
Board Chair Bettina Umstead said this request is a big ask.
County leaders would have to give the school system $26 million more than they did last year.
Proposed budget meeting
In an unprecedented opportunity for public input, residents voiced their opinions Thursday night on the proposed budget directly to the board.
While most seemed to accept the overall figures, concerns arose regarding the allocation's impact on a specific community group.
A pay solution is on the table for Durham classified staff.
"We need to know what exactly is being proposed and how it compares to last year," Christie Clem, DPS Physical Therapist said.
Following a budgeting error that reversed raises awarded last year, classified staff are set to see some long-awaited compensation adjustments.
The proposed budget allocates over $8 million specifically for pay increases, aiming to rectify the previous mistake.
It’s a number DPS occupational therapist Anna Benfield can get behind.
"We need that 8.8 million dollars to stop the bleeding right now to make sure my colleagues will stay," Benfield said.
However, a new concern has emerged, uniting both employees and parents.
They're advocating for increased funding for teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education (EC).
"I ask you to not accept a budget that does not directly prioritize provided quality EC teachers in every school," One meeting attendee said.
The school board seeks to address classified staff pay concerns while proactively preventing other staff groups from experiencing similar financial shortfalls.
The board will review the budget at its meeting next week.
