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[SoDu Sunrise Showcase] Durham Educators Urge Action

[SoDu Sunrise Showcase] Durham Educators Urge Action
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By Wes Platt, Neighborhood News Guy

WEATHER FORECAST

Today's morning weather in South Durham, seen at Forest Ridge Drive where it intersects with Red Bluff Court in South Durham. Photo: Wes Platt.

Per the National Weather Service: Sunny with a high near 69. Tonight, mostly clear with a low around 40 - although the National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory between 3 and 9 a.m. Thursday.

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Motivated Educators at Work

This morning, just minutes after I published an article about Durham Public Schools' new "meet and confer" policy, I took Athena to Hope Valley Elementary School.

There - and later at Rogers-Herr when I dropped off John Michael - teachers handed out red and white fliers from the Durham Association of Educators, seeking support from parents for issues they want the Board of Education to address.

The board is expected to vote on the budget for the upcoming school year on April 24. DAE's call-to-action includes nine proposals:

  • Budget transparency.
  • No cuts to frontline positions.
  • To alleviate the transportation crisis, give bus drivers and monitors a $300 per month supplement, personal days, and bathroom access.
  • No collaboration with federal immigration officers.
  • Address classified pay compression.
  • Full restoration of master's pay.
  • Printed contracts with clear duties, hours, expectations, and extra duty pay for all staff.
  • Collective grievance policy.
  • Multi-year plan for staff raises.

The DAE also wants district leaders to deal with what the union considers glaring "anti-union issues" with the meet and confer policy passed on April 10.

The SoDu We Love Reading Book Club has its first discussion thread on the Southpoint Access subreddit! Read the first chapter of Song in a Weary Throat by Pauli Murray and join us!

Got questions for your neighborhood news guy to chase down answers? Reach out to wes.platt@southpointaccess.news.

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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

  • Mixed Feelings About District's Meet and Confer Policy: Policy 7215, approved 4-3, is described by the school district as a “groundbreaking policy (that) establishes a framework for enhanced collaboration between the district administration and staff, marking a significant shift in employee relations for North Carolina’s public education sector.”
  • [SoDu We Like Local News] Episode 10: A Home for Hope: In this episode, we catch up with Southpoint Access columnist Heather Hindin and her daughter Harper about the project that aims to support families with children undergoing treatment for illnesses at Duke University Hospital.
  • South Durham Criminal Incident Reports for April 2025: South Durham saw a continued rise in vehicle-related crimes last month, according to the latest report for ZIP code 27713, with motor vehicle burglaries and thefts making up the largest share of reported incidents. This is based on data supplied by the Durham Police Department to LexisNexis.

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What's Happening Today?

  • Mahjong. Adults. 2 to 4 p.m. All experience levels welcome. Experienced players, please bring tiles and the current National Mahjong League card available on their website. Conference room at South Regional Library at 4505 S. Alston Ave. (Durham County Library)
  • Durham Housing Appeals Board. 5:30 p.m. Suite 2 on the third floor of Building 2 at 807 E. Main St. (Durham Government)
  • Durham City-County Appearance Commission. 6 p.m. via Zoom. Use this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5_eoAk8oQ0S2yCJinpOWiw#/ (Durham Government)
  • Pajama Storytime. Babies through elementary school. 6:30 to 7 p.m. No registration required. Storytime will include stories, songs, and fun. Kids are welcome to bring their favorite stuffed animals and wear pajamas. Meeting room at Southwest Regional Library at 3605 Shannon Rd. (Durham County Library)
  • Durham Open Space and Trails Commission. 7 p.m. via Zoom. Use this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81219649817?pwd=VdeeACfatnzTs18GlbQt6H91Zw1IjK.1 (Durham Government)

Check out this week's activities!

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Wes Platt

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