Durham Public Schools

Facing a county budget proposal that falls short of the district’s ask, the Durham Association of Educators and the Durham Public Schools superintendent seem to be past the most hostile stage of their relationship. But it’s not quite a Godzilla vs. Kong-level joining of forces.

The Durham Public Schools board would have to make some tough choices to fit within the county’s budget proposal for the district—if it doesn’t change before a final vote.

The DPS board of education unanimously approved a $222 million county budget request Thursday night, following weeks of lobbying by the Durham Association of Educators to delay the vote.

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DPS officials are opting not to add additional express stops next year, saying it would unnecessarily “add another variable” to an already complicated process of reconfiguring district transportation.

With reduced bus service, DPS has hired and retained enough drivers to reliably cover all current routes, but the school system is still short of its goal.

Even with $4 million left over from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott’s 2022 donation, Durham Public Schools would still need to find more money to fill the budgetary gap.

Staff and the school board hope that the new short-term changes will allow the district to utilize its current drivers while the district recruits and trains future drivers.

Under the plan, which starts December 2, each of the district’s 800 routes is sorted into one of five groups that will not receive bus service on a single predetermined day each week.

In his first three months on the job, Anthony Lewis held seven meetings across the district to hear from the DPS community—teachers, staff, families, and students.