Durham interim superintendent Catty Moore
laid out the plans for the next school year in a proposed budget that asks for $26 million from Durham County Commissioners.
“This proposal prioritizes compensation,” Moore said.
The proposed budget presented to the Durham Public Schools Board of Education on April 11 includes an $8.8 million toward classified staff salary increases, which the Durham Association of Educators said is a “huge step towards undoing the pay cuts that went into effect in March.”
For months, hundreds of
DPS workers participated in sickouts and pickets
calling for better pay after a financial error changed their paychecks.
“It’s tiring and overall, I feel worn down,” Christie Clem, a physical therapist, said. “We still have no idea what our paychecks will look like next year.”
SEE ALSO | Documents reveal when Durham Public Schools knew of problems with salary study, budget
While DAE president Symone Kiddoo praised Moore and the board for addressing some of the district’s needs, more work needs to be done in addressing some other priorities, such as a $1/hour across the board raise for bus drivers and monitors, which is not included in the current proposal.