It’s Monday, April 22.
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Good morning, readers.
Following months of payroll turmoil, there may be a satisfactory ending in sight for many Durham Public Schools educators, including classified staff.
Interim superintendent Catty Moore presented a $26 million increase in her budget proposal to the school board last week. It includes a nearly $9 million allocation for the district’s classified staff.
Moore called the proposal “a bold ask” but also acknowledged that it “does not represent everything that is needed.” At the board meeting, speakers mostly praised the budget proposal but asked for more funding for Exceptional Children (EC) and English as a Second Language (ESL) staff.
“I feel heartened by this bold ask and proposal after the year that 2023 to 2024 has been,” said Jenn Painter, an ESL teacher at Jordan HIgh School. “It feels good to be not perfectly aligned, but significantly aligned with the community.”
The 2023-2024 school year saw more than 3,000 classified workers awarded raises in October, and then have those raises rescinded this winter after administrators learned they were over the district’s budget by millions of dollars leading to protests and school closures.
Moore noted that the budget would implement pay raises on a market rate pay schedule for classified staff, similar to what a 2023 pay study had recommended. It would also raise starting teachers’ annual salary supplement from $6,450 to $7,250, making Durham’s starting teacher supplement the highest in the state.
The board is expected to vote on the proposal this week.
Have a great Monday, everyone. And Happy Earth Day! Read all of our Earth Day coverage here.
—Jane
Durham
Angier Avenue has reopened after the Durham Fire Department responded to a gas leak involving a propane tank late last week.
Wake
Although St. Augustine’s University switched to remote learning three weeks ago, many students are still living on the university’s campus in downtown Raleigh. Local churches are providing them meals.
Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue space in downtown Raleigh is for sale for $2.9 million.
Orange
Orange County Schools board member Jennifer Moore submitted her resignation from the board after a News & Observer report raised questions about her doctorate degree. The board meets tonight and could accept the resignation then.
North Carolina
Legalized sports gambling in North Carolina is having an impact on college athletes, gamblers, and the state at large.
Today’s weather
Partly cloudy with a high of 64 degrees.
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