durham public schools

DPS Terminates Admin Involved in Abuse Case

Ayesha Hunter was senior executive director of employee relations for Durham Public Schools at the time of a reported 2024 abuse incident.

Wes Platt

Wes Platt

— 2 min read
DPS Terminates Admin Involved in Abuse Case
SoDu Sweet Talk: Valentine’s Messages From the Neighborhood
Southpoint Access is an independent, locally owned news outlet focused on schools, neighborhoods, and community life in South Durham. Projects like SoDu Sweet Talk help support that work - while giving neighbors an easy way to celebrate love, gratitude, and community connection.
Southpoint AccessWes Platt

Ayesha Hunter, who was senior executive director of employee relations for Durham Public Schools in November 2024 when a child at Eno Valley Elementary School was tied to a chair with a jump rope, has been fired by the district.

A DPS official on Wednesday confirmed that Hunter's status had changed from suspended with pay to terminated. Tounya Wright, principal of Eno Valley at the time of that incident, resigned after she, Hunter, and another administrator, Tanya Giovanni, were indicted by a Durham grand jury on charges of obstruction of justice.

Giovanni remained suspended with pay as of Wednesday. The district's internal investigation of the administrators' actions is ongoing.

Wright, facing three charges of obstructing justice and one count of perjury, remains out of jail on a $5,000 bond. Hunter, with six counts of obstructing justice and two counts of perjury, also is free on a $5,000 bond. Giovanni faces five counts of obstructing justice, with a bond of $10,000.

An administrative court hearing is set for Giovanni, Hunter, and Wright on March 4.

Get Connected

🤝 Support Our Sponsors

Local journalism in South Durham survives thanks to the generous businesses and organizations that make this work possible. 🧭

💛 Shop local. Hire local. Support those who support Southpoint Access.

Read more