Multiple DPS Schools Closing on Wednesday

The Durham Association of Educators, dissatisfied with the rate of cooperation from the Durham Public Schools administration, is scheduling a protest Wednesday and currently expects 11 schools to be so short on teachers and staff.

The district announced Tuesday night that all those affected schools will be closed Jan. 31.

“Since the most immediate events of this crisis took place this month, DAE members have asked the district to 1) not introduce pay cuts; 2) reverse the policy to erase years of experience from over 1,300 worker’s salary steps and 3) commit to regular meetings with union members to discuss how to create excellent working conditions and most of all, the learning conditions that our students deserve,” wrote DAE President Symone Kiddoo in a Facebook post. “Though some progress has been made, there still is a lack of transparency. We are also still waiting for the district’s commitment not to roll back compensation that was promised in October. In response, educators from 11 schools have called out from work on Wednesday to attend a DAE protest.”

The protest is set for 2-4 p.m. outside DPS headquarters on Cleveland Street in downtown Durham.

The affected schools include:

• Forest View Elementary School
• Githens Middle School
• Hillside High School
• Jordan High School
• Lakewood Elementary School
• Lucas Middle School
• Lyons Farm Elementary School
• Northern High School
• Riverside High School
• Spring Valley Elementary School
• Y.E. Smith Elementary School
• The Whitted School

In an email Tuesday night, DPS Board of Education Chair Bettina Umstead urged “everyone in Durham Public Schools to remember our mission and our commitment to providing our students with the best possible education.”

“Durham Public Schools is aware of the increased staffing absences for tomorrow,” she said. “The district is monitoring staff levels and will respond accordingly. We continue to prioritize the safety of our students and will keep you updated as we learn more.”

The Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting for Friday at 3 p.m. Umstead noted in her email that during the meeting the board “will review proposals for new classified salary schedules including how we can meet our employees’ fervent appeals to honor their years of service while also staying within our budget.”