Podcast

SoDu We Like Local News Episode 7: Another Durham Schools Budget Shortfall?

Meanwhile, the DPS administrators are monitoring lapsed salaries and benefits from vacancies, reviewing vacancies for necessity, restructuring central office departments, and performing a complete audit of the budget.

Wes Platt

24 Jan 2025 — 4 min read

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling a little dizzy. A year ago this time, I was writing in Southpoint Access about the big budget shortfall in Durham Public Schools caused by math related to the classified worker pay plan.

And now I’m writing about a new DPS budget shortfall, coming in around $7 million.

We’ll dig into that today.

Hello again. I’m Wes Platt, neighborhood news guy for South Durham, and you’re listening to SoDu We Like Local News, a podcast about what’s happening right here in our backyard around Southpoint, Hope Valley, Parkwood, Fairfield, and more! It’s freely available to readers of Southpoint Access – your source for ultra-local news in SoDu.

Ok, so, the Board of Education was set to hear from the DPS finance team – now led by Jeremy Teetor – during a meeting on Thursday. But then we got snow, schools cancelled, and meetings got postponed until next week.

But here’s what Teetor included in the findings of an examination of the district’s finances this fiscal year:

They’ve got 315 positions (247 vacant) that aren’t accounted for in budgeting for expenditures.
The pass-through payments to charter schools were underbudgeted to the tune of about $9.7 million.
New food sourcing and preparation processes cost an unexpected $3 million for child nutrition.
Master’s pay estimates for classroom teachers fell short by $1.3 million.
Utilities and waste management proved more expensive than planned, by about $1 million.
And the budget didn’t factor in $875,000 for arts supplements, school bus driver attendance bonuses, insurance costs, and mileage reimbursements for teachers serving homebound students.

The final number for the shortfall is down around $7 million only because DPS stashed 15% of every school and departmental budget to help with problems like this.

Starting with the meeting on Jan. 28, Teetor (or, I suppose, someone from his team) will be expected to give regular updates to the board – and, by extension, the Durham community – about the district’s financial situation.

Our superintendent, Dr. Anthony Lewis, is also leading a multi-part series called “Dollars and Decisions: Understanding and Navigating the Durham Public Schools Budget.” That’s supposed to explain where DPS gets funding and how those spending decisions are made. He wants DPS families to stay informed and get actively involved in the process.

Next, let’s head over to the Angier Avenue area, where the Durham City Council this week unanimously approved rezoning for 95.48 acres of light industrial that used to be a brick manufacturing facility. It now appears destined to become a development called Brickworks with nearly 1,900 townhouses and apartments. It’s now heading into the design phase.

It’s not certain that council members will have as warm a reception for the Moriah Ridge proposal, which includes 168 acres along Mt. Moriah Road that developer M/I Homes wants to turn into 1,000 apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes. Unlike Brickworks, Moriah Ridge isn’t in the city’s urban growth boundary and it would create four city-limit “holes” by annexing properties that aren’t contiguous with the existing limits. On the other hand, city staff estimate it could provide net revenue of $28 million at buildout. Council’s expected to take this up with a public hearing at their Feb. 3 meeting.

Another interesting project in the works: The Durham-to-Roxboro Trail, which aims to create a 26-mile trail network using an inactive rail corridor between Durham and Roxboro. Workshops are planned Feb. 4 and 5 at the Durham County Library main branch and the North Regional Library respectively. Durham residents can attend the workshops, learn what’s planned so far, and give input about the project. There’s also an online survey, so fill that out if you get a chance.

Now, before we wrap up: what’s wrong with some people? This week on Facebook, the City of Durham shared photos of workers clearing away snow and ice, praising those workers for their efforts, and someone had the temerity to snark about cheering people on for doing their jobs.

Here’s what I think about that: First, it’s the city’s Facebook page. Seems to me they can post what they want. Second, I wonder when the commenter last thanked a city worker for anything they did? Third, isn’t it possible that hearing/reading praise for doing your job might help someone want to STAY in that job, particularly if it’s the kind of work where you’re out in subfreezing temperatures making sure your fellow citizens aren’t slip-sliding all over the roads?

I don’t think people need trophies for everything they do. But I’m happy to see government workers appreciated for their sometimes difficult jobs and I’m grateful that their efforts make it possible for me to get the kids out of my house and back to school.

For those who want to complain: lighten up.

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Until next time, take care and stay curious.