Name: Dilcy Burton
Age: 52
Party affiliation: Democrat
Campaign website: www.dilcy4durham.com
Occupation and employer: North Carolina Department of Justice
1. What is your past or current involvement with Durham Public Schools? What makes you qualified for this job?
I am a graduate of DPS, a parent of DPS graduates, past Vice President of the Parent Teacher Association, and a former DPS substitute teacher. Professionally, I am an Assistant Attorney General for North Carolina. If elected, I will bring strong skills in advocacy, conflict resolution, problem-solving, policy analysis, and ethical governance to Durham Public Schools.
2. For incumbents, what has been your greatest accomplishment on the board? For newcomers, what change would you bring to the board?
If elected to serve on the DPS board, I would bring improved communication and legal knowledge to the Durham community. As a future DPS board member, my priorities would include the safety of the DPS community, elimination of mold from DPS facilities, timely and consistent financial audits of the DPS budget, and fair and competitive wages for all DPS personnel.
3. For the past two years, the district has uncovered budget shortfalls and had to make midyear cuts and adjustments. How can the board ensure that every DPS dollar is being put to best use?
Honest communication and transparency build trust between the DPS board, administration and schools. I would encourage community budget sessions with complete presentations regarding accounting and expenditures. I would support timely and consistent audits with a public review of audit findings and results. I would support DPS participatory budget sessions between the DPS administration and the Durham community.
4. The superintendent is the board’s sole employee. The current board recently unanimously extended Anthony Lewis’s contract for another year. What letter grade do you give Lewis, and how could he do better?
Superintendent Lewis made measurable progress at Durham Public Schools. However, challenges remain, such as budget concerns, employee morale, and the condition of DPS facilities. If elected, I would support the development of a transparent and accessible online evaluation tool that allows parents, staff, and educators to provide meaningful feedback on the superintendent’s performance. This input could be reviewed and considered by the Durham County Board of Education in its evaluation of Superintendent Lewis.
5. Nearly every public school district in the state saw a decrease in enrollment this year. Durham’s was particularly dramatic, with over 1,000 fewer students than last year. With kids leaving for charter and private schools, what can DPS do to convince parents that public schools are the best option for their students?
Durham Public Schools must provide reliable and consistent transportation, safe and healthy learning environments, and respectful working conditions that recognize DPS personnel as essential assets to DPS. Additionally, DPS administration must communicate honestly and transparently with both the DPS board and the Durham community. When these core responsibilities are consistently met, families will regain confidence in Durham Public Schools.
6. DPS is committed to equity in education, but the “achievement gap” between white students and students of color persists. How can the district better fulfill its most basic mission of educating every child?
I would support the DPS superintendent in providing regular reports on DPS academic outcomes. I would encourage explanations regarding the cause of any achievement gaps and consider solutions for minimizing gaps in achievement. I would encourage and support enrichment strategies such as tutoring, extended learning opportunities, and community partnerships that provide academic support outside of an academic school day.
7. North Carolina recently received an “F” grade from the Education Law Center, which reported that the state is second to last in average funding per student. As of January 2025, the state legislature hasn’t passed a budget, leaving educators without a cost-of-living adjustment. What can the Durham school board do to help student outcomes with a state government that seems uninterested in supporting public schools?
Durham Public Schools must secure funding from every available source to maintain a stable budget. This funding includes state and local monies, public grants, and future public-private partnerships. I would support DPS working collaboratively with county commissioners, state legislators, federal partners, and private industry to secure appropriate funding for a stable budget. When this is accomplished, DPS will improve on average funding per student.
8. The majority-member staff union Durham Association of Educators (DAE) has, at times, clashed with the superintendent and the board over policy and procedure. What kind of relationship should the board have with the DAE, and how can you balance pressure from staff with pressure from administrators and taxpayers?
I would support the continued existence of Meet and Confer. Meet and Confer lays the foundation for mutual trust, transparency and understanding between DPS stakeholders. Additionally, DAE and the DPS board share a common goal to educate DPS students. The DPS board should support educators as they perform their job of educating students.
9. With Durham School of the Arts and Northern High School moving to new buildings, the district still owns the defunct former sites of those and other schools. What should the district do with those sites? If it is beyond the jurisdiction of the school board, how can the board work with the county to make those sites useful for the Durham community?
I support converting the former Durham High School and current Durham School of the Arts building to a dual-enrollment program in partnership with Durham Technical Community College. This dual-enrollment program would allow students to obtain a degree and/or career certification with a high school diploma. In regards to the former Northern High School building, I support receiving community input regarding its future use in Durham.
10. Thousands of students have stayed home from school during federal immigration enforcement sweeps. On one November day when agents were in the Triangle, over 20% of DPS students stayed home from school. What can the board realistically do to make DPS a welcoming and safe environment for all students, regardless of immigration status?
The DPS board must support immigrant families and provide a safe environment for immigrant students. I support a strong policy that creates a safe and secure learning environment for all DPS students, regardless of immigration status.
11. Give an example of an opinion, policy, vote, or action you changed based on constituent feedback. If you have not yet held elected office, describe a time when you changed your position on an issue after listening to those affected by it.
My previous professional experience as an administrative hearing officer required me to listen to parties before reaching a conclusion. In that role, I sometimes entered matters with an initial understanding based on limited information, only to adjust my perspective after hearing additional facts from different parties. This process reinforced the importance of withholding judgment and fully evaluating the caselaw and facts. This experience shaped my belief that effective leadership requires active listening and a willingness to change perspectives when new facts or information require a change in perspective.
12. If there is anything else you would like to address, please do so here.
My focus is on restoring trust between Durham Public Schools and the broader community. I am committed to transparent decision-making, responsible fiscal oversight, and policies that prioritize student safety and academic success. I believe meaningful progress happens when leadership listens, communicates clearly, and acts with accountability, and this is the standard I am prepared to bring to the Durham County Board of Education.