The Durham Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the superintendent's proposal to eliminate 27 classified central-office positions effective July 1, citing decreased federal ESSER funding and the need to reorganize to a sustainable base budget.

Chief Finance Officer Erik Teeter told the board the cuts were part of a deliberate review by senior leaders to shield classroom positions where possible and to prioritize reductions in central office. "In order to avoid impact on classrooms, senior members of cabinet focused review on reductions of central office positions," Teeter said. The administration's package estimated approximately $2,953,000 in annual savings from the eliminations.

Human-resources leaders said Monday they would contact potentially impacted staff by May 1 and would maintain the current positions through June 30 while the district pursues placement options. HR indicated the next step would be a personnel-level process (part 2) under Board policy for classified reductions; any individual employment actions would follow that additional review and would require further board approval if dismissals were recommended.

Board members repeatedly asked how many of the positions were vacant and how the district would absorb duties. HR and administrators said 11 of the 27 positions were currently vacant; the administration acknowledged questions remain about workload distribution, software transitions and support roles at the district level but said several functions already had been reassigned or absorbed during recent vacancies.

The motion to approve the reduction in force passed 7-0.

Administration said it will provide individually tailored placement conversations, identify current vacancies for potentially impacted employees, and return to the board if formal personnel actions are necessary.