Commissioners Approve Budget Increase for Durham Public Schools
Public school workers in red T-shirts rose for a standing ovation Monday night after the Durham Board of County Commissioners passed nearly the full $27 million increase sought by Durham Public Schools in the county’s 2024-2025 budget.
That increase didn’t win unanimous support, however. It passed 4-1, with Commissioner Brenda Howerton voting against because “this budget concerns me greatly.” She worried about the impact of increased property taxes – with the county raising rates in the same year as the city – on senior citizens, disabled citizens, and citizens on low and fixed incomes.
Nimasheena Burns, who voted with the majority in favor of the budget that includes the DPS increase, didn’t do it out of appreciation for the district’s elected leadership.
“I don’t want you to restore trust in those people ever again in your lives because they mismanaged money for the better part of a decade,” said Burns. She lost her re-election bid earlier this year and urged voters to give the same treatment to the DPS Board of Education. “And I need you all to do to them what you did to me and put their asses out of office. And I mean it.”
The Board of Education navigated a tumultuous six months, with 2024 starting with a frantic DPS administration grappling with the prospect of trying to claw back money given to classified workers in the form of pay raises last fall. That botched salary plan implementation led to the resignations of then-Chief Financial Officer Paul LeSieur and Superintendent Pascal Mubenga. It resulted in teachers and staff leaving the district, to work elsewhere or to depart their professions.
The budget approved Monday is an attempt to meet the challenges created by that situation “in order to recruit, retain, and respect the very best educators and support staff for our children,” said Commissioner Heidi Carter.
The 4.65 cents property tax rate increase in the county budget means that a homeowner whose house is valued at $400,000 could expect to pay $209.25 more per year on their tax bill.
Bettina Umstead, chair of the DPS board, gave remarks after the commission meeting, which included:
“The Durham Public Schools Board of Education is extremely grateful for this major investment in the students of Durham Public Schools. Tonight’s vote by the Board of County Commissioners funds $27.3 million, which equates to 98% of the Board of Education’s budget request. This will increase compensation for classified and certified employees, supplements for hard-to-staff positions, capital outlay funds, and pre-k funding, contingent upon the state’s biennial budget.”
Besides county leaders, Umstead thanked the Durham Association of Educators, community partners and local organizations, and parents and residents in the community.
“The challenges of this year have greatly impacted our community, employees, families, and most importantly our students,” she said. “While this challenge does not define us, the hard lessons we’ve learned have undoubtedly informed our decision-making and processes.”
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