Good morning, readers.
After more than a month of turmoil, Durham Public Schools board members took a vote last week that puts an end, for now, to the salary dispute that has roiled the district’s educators and classified staff. The crisis led to staff sick outs, protests, bus schedule disruptions, and school closures and resulted in the resignations of the district’s superintendent and chief financial officer.
In a 5-2 vote, board members elected to give the district’s 1800 classified staff members an 11 percent salary increase over their 2022-2023 compensation through the end of the school year.
But during the emotional meeting Thursday evening, staff members made clear that they found the board’s decision deeply disappointing—most will receive less than they had been making since last October when the district promised them raises.
“I drive 20 minutes north to work for a DPS school,” occupational therapist Leslie Riley. “But I could drive 20 minutes south and make $10,000 more.”
A clearer picture of what happened with the salaries began emerging Thursday. It started with a flawed pay study that was used to calculate recommended raises that the district’s comptroller, Kerry Crutchfield, says was never affordable for the district to begin with. Still, the district made the budget including the unaffordable raises and the staff didn’t communicate the shortfall to the board until after employees were notified of pay increases and began receiving them.
Now, with federal funds set to expire soon and little help from the state legislature, the board faces more tough decisions in making the budget for the next school year. Crutchfield said the school system should establish pay rates for the next school year as soon as possible and notify employees of new pay amounts.
“As difficult and important as the decision you’re making right now, the next agenda item is actually going to be more difficult,” Crutchfield said Thursday, referring to the coming year’s budget. “You’re faced with a double whammy.”
Have a good Monday.
—Jane
A message from our sponsor, Public Ed Works
North Carolina public education is in trouble and the future of our children is at risk. Join Public Ed Works in advocating for a robust public education system from Pre-K to college. Your support can help reverse NC’s low ranking in teacher pay and combat the 3,000+ teacher shortage. Let’s secure a brighter future by understanding and championing the benefits of public education.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay informed, inspired, and make a real impact. Together, we can celebrate a decade of advocacy in 2024, driving positive change for public education in North Carolina. Click now to shape the future!
Durham
Durham city council members are weighing whether to continue with a $658,500 partnership with gunshot detection technology service ShotSpotter.
Early voting is underway. Read our candidate questionnaires for Durham candidates here.
Wake
Early voting is underway. Read our candidate questionnaires for Wake County candidates here.
Raleigh’s largest professional theater company, North Carolina Theatre, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and suspended its 2024 season.
Orange
Early voting is underway. Read our candidate questionnaires for Orange County candidates here.
Chapel Hill’s Town Council is discussing the rewrite of the town’s Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO).
North Carolina
In North Carolina’s sprawling and competitive 1st congressional district, two Republican primary candidates are vying to out-MAGA one another.
Today’s weather
Sunny with a high of 68 degrees.
If you’d like to advertise your business to the Daily’s 30,000-plus subscribers, please contact [email protected]
Love the INDY? Support it by joining the INDY Press Club.
You must be logged in to post a comment.