DPS Board of Education Jan. 15 Work Session Preview
Budget priorities and the new proposed school calendars for traditional and year-round schools are on the agenda in Durham on Jan. 15.
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The Durham Public Schools Board of Education meets Thursday, Jan. 15, for a work session with several items likely to draw interest - especially the proposed 2026–27 and 2027–28 school calendars and an early look at priorities for the 2026–27 budget.
The work session starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Services building at 511 Cleveland St. Join in person or watch online via YouTube.
Consent Agenda Highlights
2026–27 & 2027–28 instructional calendars (Traditional & Year-Round) — Staff recommends approving both years’ calendars on consent. The packet notes a year-long process with school-based reps and a districtwide ThoughtExchange; recommendations aim to balance community feedback with instructional quality and Institution of Education Science (IES)-aligned best practices, and all drafts meet state and local requirements.
For 2026–27, Traditional school starts Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, and the last day is Wed., June 9, 2027 (early release). The 2026–27 Year-Round calendar begins July 20, 2026 with intersessions in late Sept./Oct. and February/March. The materials also outline recurring parameters (e.g., two winter-break weeks, aligned spring breaks, at least 10 teacher workdays).
Policy 5023/6128/7268 - Emergency Use of Naloxone (2nd reading) — Revisions would extend coverage to schools and non-school sites, require an adequate supply at each site, and designate three or more trained staff per site; at non-school facilities, “site supervisor” substitutes for “principal/school nurse.” It’s up for adoption on consent.
American School for the Deaf - PACES contract — Fourth renewal of a specialized placement agreement, not to exceed $513,847.37.
School Nutrition Services - bid correction — Adds Red Hawk Farms to the 2025–26 list of seasonal/local purchasing vendors after an omission in June’s approval.
Academic Services
Strategic Plan Priority 2 update (Information/Discussion) — Staff will brief the Board on “Safe and Healthy School Environment” work, focusing on 2024–25 year-end and 2025–26 Q1 discipline/attendance data, highlights, challenges, and next steps. Snapshot metrics in the deck show suspensions declined for priority groups and met targets, while attendance remains below the benchmark and needs targeted support.
Operations Services
Lowe’s Grove former school site: Phase 1 feasibility — DPS and Durham County asked UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative to study redevelopment options for the 1.41-acre site at 4505 S. Alston Ave. and nearby DPS parcels. The proposal outlines a 5–6 month pre-development analysis (community/stakeholder work, market/parcel/site analyses, and high-level financial feasibility) with a $72,400 flat fee; DFI recommends Durham County be the contracting entity.
Administration
2026–27 Budget Feedback (Information/Discussion) — Early takeaways include meet-and-confer themes (living-wage/compaction for classified staff, extra-duty pay, bereavement leave, transportation supplement), planning assumptions (e.g., potential for a larger-than-usual state raise, higher retirement and health-insurance contribution rates, utility increases tied to Duke Energy requests, and possible loss of federal/Medicaid funding), about $7M in expansion requests under review, and superintendent priorities (continuation costs including federal initiatives, classified pay raise incl. OT/PT, and capital outlay/technology).
Key dates ahead:
- Jan. 29 release of the draft recommended budget
- February town hall
- Feb. 11 tentative public hearing
- March 12 target for county submission.
Information Only
Grants, Gifts & Donations (December 2025) — Notable items include $40,000 from the JM Belk Foundation for the FAFSA Roadshow, $14,533.57 to E.K. Powe from Counsel Trust, a $5,000 DSA Social Studies grant from the Jack Miller Center, $5,000 to Burton Elementary, and $4,500 in toys from Duke Children’s Hospital for distribution by DPS social workers.
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