Durham students march to protest budget cuts

A group called Umbrella Coalition led Durham students, teachers and parents in a march and rally Friday afternoon in protest against planned cuts to the Durham Public Schools budget.

The group assembled at Hillside High School, 3727 Fayetteville Road, at 2:30 p.m. and was marching about three miles to the offices of Durham County Board of Commissioners, at 200 E. Main St.

The budget decisions facing the school system are the most challenging since the system was founded in 1992, wrote Hank Hurd, interim superintendent, in a message on the district website.

Hurd presented a budgt Thursday night which would cut 323 jobs at a savings of $18.9 million.

Durham schools will see about $22 million less in funding in the coming school year, Hurd said.

"It is impossible to put forth a proposal that everyone will like, but this represents thoughtful consideration among principals, teachers, parents and the community, along with DPS officials and board members," he wrote.

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A meeting for public comment  is planned for May 6 at 6:30 p.m. The Board of Education will meet May 13 to vote on the budget.