DPS Foundation Urges Paycheck Commitment

The Durham Public Schools Foundation appreciated the Board of Education’s decision to hire an external comptroller, break off its relationship with compensation study provider HIL Consultants, and approval of steps toward a “meet and confer” policy with the Durham Association of Educators.

But DPSF isn’t happy about the delayed movement on classified worker pay for February and beyond, which is now expected to be considered by the board on Thursday.

“However, we are deeply concerned about the delay in determining and communicating the February pay for classified workers,” stated Erika Wilkins, DPS Foundation executive director, in a message released on Monday. “This uncertainty affects their ability to plan their lives and support their families. Prompt action is needed from our school board, and DPS Foundation supports DAE’s short-term demands and timelines to meet them this week.”

Those demands include:

• Commit to keep February paychecks whole.
• Provide a public explanation of why January checks did not match December checks as workers anticipated.
• Schedule a meet-and-confer session with DAE for no later than the week of Feb. 12.

“Additionally, we look for collaboration between the Durham County Board of Commissioners and the school board to increase investment in our public schools – both during this crisis and in the years to come,” Wilkins wrote. “As a private nonprofit, we are committed to continuing to raise private dollars to support our schools, but that is no replacement for adequate public spending on our schools at the state and local level.”

She indicated that the foundation “stands in solidarity with our DPS workers and students, and we remain committed to supporting and advocating for a fair and equitable resolution to the current challenges.”

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