[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6363344,"mediaKeyId","2166328-8c0b29334e163bbcca72e7a83fe43087","parentId",2166328,"title","Board approves amended agenda and minutes, moves to closed session","audioSeconds",7570,"startMs",2541000,"endMs",10111000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166328-8c0b29334e163bbcca72e7a83fe43087&start=2541&end=10111","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166328-8c0b29334e163bbcca72e7a83fe43087/thumbnail_2541000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6363344/North-Carolina/Board-approves-amended-agenda-and-minutes-moves-to-closed-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363344-838149b36a35198e4741a31652d6f64a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181408&Signature=RvAEnQ7ku4YfUYB6npNl5WNmyLHEhlg5qhFWjJXGGeC7WLwt~4MCsUYiUS5OBIhhCR41MRK5-O7gfLtSOe0xQfmmKJyTt~7dP4XKDcoYkHzv8qXhyUxRNpam1FC4UAf1JvW32nf7Ah9nXwfL8RiubeZQyviMPn5BCLSbQwfWKWhZ6y~0ephJy8oRv347rZBBwe3kYgYtPBZAqdhWRB4JZEG8fIHuddDs9vX2tu6KJQzDaMAadUhwIFGUtr1OzbyxScoZ4RXRo7Egv2Q8nLK9QHioguDtowwcYKYKsCqQ7sFSd64j8rw~21xe6NLd2Wezp~SwDwMZSmPnHIOKQV7Amg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-30T08:37:33.263Z","article","The Durham Public Schools Board of Education recorded three formal actions during its Jan. 29 meeting: adoption of an amended agenda, approval of the Dec. 19, 2024 meeting minutes, and a motion to enter closed session. All three motions passed by unanimous roll‑call votes of the six members present.

The nut graf: The board’s roll‑call votes formalized routine governance actions at the start and close of the meeting; the amended agenda removed a DPS Foundation presentation at the board’s request.

The board first approved an amended agenda to remove the DPS Foundation presentation. The motion was moved by Board Member Miss Beyer and seconded by Mister Tapp; the roll call recorded the following votes: Emily Chavez — aye; Mister Tapp — aye; Miss Carter Otten — aye; Miss Beyer — aye; Miss Harrell Goff — aye; Board Chair Boitja Rogers — aye.

The board next approved its regular monthly meeting minutes from Dec. 19, 2024. The motion was moved by Miss Emily Chavez and seconded by Miss Beyer; the roll‑call vote was unanimous: Chavez — aye; Tapp — aye; Carter Otten — aye; Beyer — aye; Harrell Goff — aye; Rogers — aye.

At the meeting’s end, the board moved into closed session “for the reasons stated on the agenda.” The motion to enter closed session was seconded by Mister Tapp; the roll call for moving into closed session recorded unanimous ayes from the six members present.

Ending: The meeting’s public portion concluded after the recorded votes; the board noted that the session would not be streamed and that a personnel report would be considered during closed session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","#DPSCommunity | DPS Board of Education Monthly Meeting | 1/28/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Durham Public Schools Board of Education approved an amended agenda, approved minutes from Dec. 19, 2024, and voted to enter closed session; all recorded votes were unanimous among the six members present.","taxTitle","Durham Public Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14087,"location","North Carolina","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6363348,"Students’ safety and ICE detentions raised during public comment; superintendent reiterates district assurances",1582,2761000,4343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166328-8c0b29334e163bbcca72e7a83fe43087&start=2761&end=4343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166328-8c0b29334e163bbcca72e7a83fe43087/thumbnail_2761000.jpg","/articles/6363348/North-Carolina/Students-safety-and-ICE-detentions-raised-during-public-comment-superintendent-reiterates-district-assurances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363348-5aeda3fa53d31ca9e81eb7e8937bc0f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181408&Signature=XFEsLFffCRDQmWiPo87v7SBZeheIY8gvvA4y6MC0th0WTksSeE2267MDsbtyBqTuSCua9ltG7ooHrGNpLOsVCnl61EuRtvIDaknLHUaCCLGoqRRxxEynrYeYIYwr6z1NXErVY72AKvVh5t6mMiP8ES1ZhHVtHxMGBMlyxKapMY3~lreBaqyyjYfKx9vEW2qraFeVSI7NfxoMkfxfRjphBuxXfnY7Qm1zTurp4Ar4NsEYGbwiJfYaKUmCLJleBFRFIzm7KkvUCeL6NrKCU~SJMU46zEZPD~NapI9kSemx6-Bb~K3HO8Z5Cz88GdAoyL1Gi~hOsKijJTG8PgOtYWaX6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several public commenters pressed the board to make a public statement and clarify procedures to protect students from immigration enforcement, citing past district resolutions and current federal immigration developments.

Nut graf: Speakers asked Durham Public Schools to reaffirm protections, describe what resources the district will provide if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrives on campus, and meet with community members to coordinate responses.

A 17‑year‑old student, Giovanna Araile, described fear among peers about family members being detained and asked for reassurance that schools are safe places for learning: “Our schools…should be sanctuaries. Safety of our safety and opportunities, not just a place,” she said during public comment.

A community organizer recalled a February 11, 2016 board resolution the district had passed regarding ICE and student detention, and asked the board to make an updated, explicit public statement. Another commenter asked for a clear requirement that law enforcement or federal agents have a warrant or due process before interviewing or detaining students on campus.

Superintendent Lewis addressed the board during his update, saying the district has been monitoring federal changes and “we will continue to review our protocols and safety measures with our leadership and staff … Durham Public Schools will continue to provide every student regardless of background, regardless of immigration status, with a quality education in an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment.” He said the district had shared guidance with principals and resources with families and that staff and in‑house counsel are evaluating impacts.

Ending: Speakers requested a specific public statement and an in‑person meeting with board members; the board did not adopt new written policy during the meeting but administration said it would continue outreach and supply further guidance to principals and families.","Parents, students and immigrant‑rights advocates urged Durham Public Schools to issue a clear policy and statement protecting students from immigration enforcement on campus; Superintendent Lewis said the district is reviewing federal developments, conferring with counsel and will continue to communicate with families and principals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6363352,"School social workers, support staff press board for promised master’s pay",331,3705000,4036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166328-8c0b29334e163bbcca72e7a83fe43087&start=3705&end=4036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166328-8c0b29334e163bbcca72e7a83fe43087/thumbnail_3705000.jpg","/articles/6363352/North-Carolina/School-social-workers-support-staff-press-board-for-promised-masters-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363352-3097103baf086e46c05af2ed4210d18e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181408&Signature=mn3vy1Ez37SVrzTkedj9ekOrXnK8rpuhwxNA6ENtdAc5atmfO9p3dEYWbCSumKr9Js98OOPBA6W27qfBKtWqW-qLYAaxl~8Rie9XAyPLyWK7YBQXfhIShciNmUzwTKnSUaB1TWZgX2--~2J~qZvk0d9Cyg9a2dlb7306bYxbSWz5A5YqZo7B6IQVie9YmjMG5B4e5IFZX5qrqGxvLKK1rz1BjI3-2TnBtivTeTzge63X37E9cQCBzDiyWHjnsBG69u1erXAZrTcH7nGt5CV7qljWks~7FQCjXUDv3FTUc4iP3VsJL9MTavJA8V2PjHS2DpN1JAIeScA3pAWqYI64-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Durham Public Schools social workers and other support staff used the public comment period to press the board to reinstate master’s‑degree pay that the district had previously pledged to restore.

Nut graf: Commenters described the issue as an urgent retention and equity concern and urged the board and administration to fund master’s pay immediately, with retroactivity for this school year.

Speakers underlined personal and professional impacts. Sonia Lopez, a five‑year DPS social worker, said the board had publicly committed to reinstating master’s pay after the state’s 2013 change and that implementation has been slow: “Doctor Lewis, in November, when the board was ready to correct this mistake, you stopped the vote asking for 4 more days. You promised to deliver master's pay. That didn't happen,” she said. Lopez added that seeing a new assistant‑superintendent posting with a salary near the total cost of master’s pay for many staff was demoralizing.

A second commenter who identified herself as Sherita Gillespie, a school social worker at Northern High, described personal financial strain when the district had not provided master's pay earlier and urged swift corrective action: “Many of my colleagues work multiple jobs to make ends meet… The addition of Master's Pay would provide real relief,” she said.

School social workers and allied staff repeatedly requested retroactive relief for the current year and a clear “meet and confer” policy to formalize how district leaders negotiate compensation with affected groups. Commenters said they had participated in previous advocacy and union campaigns and that broken promises damaged trust with district leadership.

Board members did not take immediate action during public comment; the district’s finance presentation later acknowledged a local masters‑pay allocation in the county funding breakdown and said the administration is collecting accurate counts for local pay programs as it prepares the 2025–26 budget.

Ending: Speakers said they will continue advocacy at board meetings until master’s pay is restored with retroactivity; they asked the board to prioritize staff retention in upcoming budget discussions.","Multiple social workers and support staff urged the board to restore promised master’s‑degree pay and retroactive adjustments, saying delays and the district’s hiring choices have harmed morale and retention.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6363356,"DPS CFO outlines $27M+ county investment, gaps and corrections in current‑year budget",1135,7763000,8898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166328-8c0b29334e163bbcca72e7a83fe43087&start=7763&end=8898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166328-8c0b29334e163bbcca72e7a83fe43087/thumbnail_7763000.jpg","/articles/6363356/North-Carolina/DPS-CFO-outlines-27M-county-investment-gaps-and-corrections-in-currentyear-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363356-1881bceb12bc6d5bbab299f963baa55d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181408&Signature=Dyywlj3iaQBbEX0nDlApyMPVU2ntMgU8dlRB0cz-G2ga9dR0TB36-~7l~pSQsZUYWJV11dPj6Ptddgo8cDJxdRaQvjDkIJ03Nk4UPy6rY~3ZB8-PYFGFxd1Twu4kvi-5GyKdN65dHgWzTwm8np2jXR7OhzLqGSEwvM1KW77Qj19dTMdgNc2ZbNm5eDS-Rc09Pt9un~H4rRp~1p1BGeTw27WggABHA~noWZG7x93A9Z59f1ekZPGChFLD22AfDvNojssX3ErpurXkN6BxhAX7u-ro6ISPlfw5VXE3KC7NQpssQVXhN0HH4klgea1Y6P0YLDhktPZa7bCZUxxlEVuirg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham Public Schools’ new chief financial officer on Jan. 29 briefed the board on current‑year budget challenges, describing a mix of one‑time county investments and structural shortfalls that together require immediate fixes and tighter controls.

The nut graf: CFO Jeremy Teeter and Superintendent Lewis said the district has identified several budget lines that were underbudgeted or omitted, and staff outlined a mix of reserves, reclassifications and cost controls to close the gaps while the district completes its audit work.

Teeter summarized a major local infusion: Durham County provided roughly $27.3 million in supplemental funds for the 2024–25 year, about $4.0 million of which the district must pass through to charter schools under state rules; the remainder was allocated across teacher supplements, local master’s pay initiatives, classified‑pay implementation and capital outlay.

The CFO listed principal budget pressures: a large reconciliation for charter school payments (about $9.7 million needed to correct an underbudgeted line), an operating shortfall in child nutrition that staff proposed meeting with a $3.0 million local reserve, and an almost $8.9 million cost related to classified pay adjustments tied to new salary grade implementation.

Other items Teeter highlighted included a $1.0 million reserve recommendation for utility and waste management increases, roughly $572,000 in arts and music supplements that had not been placed in the superintendent’s recommended budget, and $145,000 for a bus‑driver attendance bonus that required appropriation.

Teeter said much of the situation reflects positions and expenditures that accumulated while the district used federal ESSER funds and that new controls are being put in place: “staff was tasked with making comparisons to different models … and the [legacy] differential is the label that we've applied … to hold them harmless,” he said, explaining the pay‑schedule transition.

He also said the district is close to completing audit work: compliance testing is done, bank reconciliations are current and financial statements are being prepared. Teeter said state revenue adjustments added about $1.1 million to correct an undercount of enrollment.

Superintendent Lewis and Teeter emphasized transparency and outreach. Lewis said the district would continue regular public updates and community conversations as the administration finalizes a comprehensive post‑entry plan and the board works on the 2025–26 budget.

Ending: Board members asked for additional detail on specific line items (arts supplements and audit follow‑up) and thanked finance staff for quickly paying urgent vendor invoices; Teeter said unresolved vendor items were near resolution and requested providers contact the finance office with outstanding invoices.
","New finance officials told the board that a large county investment helped but the district faces several budget gaps — including charter school pass‑throughs, child nutrition losses and underbudgeted insurance and utilities — and described steps to correct and increase transparency.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6363362,"Durham schools launch multi-pronged push to recruit and retain bus drivers",898,6114000,7012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166328-8c0b29334e163bbcca72e7a83fe43087&start=6114&end=7012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166328-8c0b29334e163bbcca72e7a83fe43087/thumbnail_6114000.jpg","/articles/6363362/North-Carolina/Durham-schools-launch-multi-pronged-push-to-recruit-and-retain-bus-drivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363362-141752ca6734deaf0983d07ad2b4752d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181408&Signature=dcq8Tj5uMIVE6zNXG8CphJuOKeI7YvpRJrON1tD~sBt64SLr4GbfP6RnSEIsPpx9hlEcozoLWEgnXktFu37dx2skuxLmWx5fPowF3tpPUVrd3yTiMVlg65pED8cY~oK~WFIx2RCVMznwf9Y6TGjy~lm6A4X2n0cZXEJWeJ0SjGd8TLEuasAZrvemP~AyLbQRcOj19CgW6KRxzL8KUybnNwPs0L0AlmKkTzrVb2invT8kJY78OzYL52MbkOvORLXrvPVSSRovuWIpmEGzN-771kbXCn060yFAEj5LBWmLuCGZiOhX1~bgh~OP8KiXhQfUWjHPsI8UDcI0iNxKo9MXAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham Public Schools officials on Jan. 29 presented a multi-part plan to address a staffing shortfall among school bus drivers, saying the district will combine recruitment, compensation and working‑condition improvements to stabilize transportation.

The plan’s nut graf: school leaders told the Board of Education that the shortage mirrors a national trend and that local efforts will focus on more aggressive recruitment, training and recognition while monitoring the effectiveness of each tactic.

Assistant Superintendent and Chief of Human Resources Kim Hager presented the district’s Strategic Plan Priority 3 goals tied to recruitment and retention, including a target to reduce overall employee turnover by 5 percentage points by 2028 and to increase the fill rate for hard‑to‑staff positions. Hager noted recruitment partnerships with Durham Technical Community College and North Carolina Central University and a scheduled career fair on Feb. 12 to attract candidates.

Superintendent D. L. Lewis framed the problem with national context and a common refrain he reported hearing in recent meetings: “retention is the new recruitment,” and said research shows drivers are more likely to stay when “they feel like that they are true part of the education team.” He and Hager emphasized both short‑term and systemic steps.

District transportation staff listed concrete actions under way: designated personnel to support licensing and onboarding, pop‑up recruitment events, targeted social media advertising and outreach to former employees. The presentation said 13 current employees have volunteered to drive routes in recent weeks and that others within the district (mechanics, office staff) have stepped up to cover routes as needed.

Mister Barnes, who addressed compensation during the meeting, described how district employees who drove buses were being paid: “If you are a salary employee, you have been compensated at $25 an hour. If you're [an] hourly employee, you're being compensated at time and a half of your regular pay.”

Board members and staff also discussed non‑pay measures to improve working conditions: establishing driver break spaces at Holton and Northern, improving school‑level support (discipline processes and access to restrooms/computers), and a Transportation Advisory Council to give drivers a direct voice. Hager said Holton is farther along as an immediate break‑space option and Northern is being scoped for rollout before the end of the school year.

Officials said they will track metrics to measure which initiatives reduce driver vacancies and improve route reliability. Hager and transportation staff said a major focus is lowering barriers to licensure (estimated average cost to become a driver about $420) and coordinating behind‑the‑wheel training and DMV partnerships to accelerate credentialing.

The presentation closed with staff urging community support and noting ongoing conversations with local partners, including the DPS Foundation and neighborhood groups, to expand recruitment and improve safety for alternative walking and rolling routes to school.

Ending: Board members expressed support for the plan’s mix of immediate compensatory steps and longer‑term working‑condition changes, and asked staff to return with measurable recruitment outcomes and cost estimates as efforts proceed.","Durham Public Schools officials outlined recruitment, compensation and working‑condition measures — including break spaces, community outreach and targeted pay — to address a severe bus‑driver shortage that has disrupted routes and prompted temporary staffing changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves amended agenda and minutes, moves to closed session

Students’ safety and ICE detentions raised during public comment; superintendent reiterates district assurances

School social workers, support staff press board for promised master’s pay

DPS CFO outlines $27M+ county investment, gaps and corrections in current‑year budget

Durham schools launch multi-pronged push to recruit and retain bus drivers