DPS Meet-and-Confer Group Takes Shape

Bettina Umstead, chair of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education, on Thursday appointed 11 people to serve on the new ad hoc committee to develop a “meet-and-confer” policy within the school district.

The policy, expected to give staff and teachers a louder voice in the budgeting process, is coming together as the board prepares to pursue a new plan to pay classified workers in the 2024-25 school year. Umstead indicated that 57 responses came from workers across elementary, middle, high, and specialty schools, as well as the central office.

Members appointed to the committee include:

• Symone Kiddoo, president of the Durham Association of Educators.
• Christy Patterson, special education teacher at Carrington Middle School and DAE member.
• Shekera Pope, instructional assistant at Lyons Farm Elementary School and DAE member.
• Allison Swain, Riverside High School teacher and DAE member.
• Stephanie Wagner, executive assistant at DPS.
• Jeff Staton, DPS security specialist.
• Vanessa Pena Ramirez, from the district’s Multilingual Resource Center.
• Anthony Leak, DPS transportation department.
• Natalie Beyer, school board member.
• Jovonia Lewis, school board member.
• Millicent Rogers, school board member (alternate).

Two seats remain to be filled by DPS administrators that are expected to be recommended by Interim Superintendent Catty Moore.

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