SoDu We Watch Our Government: Durham Public Schools Work Session - Oct. 7

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education will hold its monthly work session Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 5:30 p.m. at the Fuller Administration Building, 511 Cleveland St. Here's what South Durham residents should know ahead of the meeting.

Here's a breakdown of what we're watching on the agenda:

📣 Public Comment Starts the Meeting

The meeting begins with a 30-minute public comment period. Recent meetings have drawn turnout from parents, educators, and students on issues ranging from staffing to student discipline.

✅ Consent Agenda: Big Decisions, One Vote

The board will vote on a long list of items grouped under a single motion - unless a board member pulls one out for discussion. Here's what’s included:

🔐 Background Checks for Employees and Volunteers

DPS plans to renew its contract with Background Investigation Bureau (bChex), which handles pre-employment and volunteer background checks.

🎒 $18,000 in Grants and Donations

September donations include:

• Snacks and school supplies
• Software and tech tools
• Athletic equipment

Donors include families, PTAs, and organizations like GoTriangle.

🚌 Transportation and Supplies Vendor Contracts

DPS is proposing new or renewed contracts with:

• Carolina Thomas and MHC Kenworth (bus parts)
• Snider Tire (tire supply and service)
• Campbell Oil (fuel and fluids)
• Taylor Business Products (paper, envelopes, and office supplies)

👮 Private Security Contract

The board will review a proposed contract with the North Carolina Detective Agency for after-hours patrols at school properties.

🧾 Board Policies: First Readings

The board is expected to approve updates to school district policies covering:

• Administering medicine to students
• Public records access
• Internet safety
• Disability accommodations
• Personnel recruitment and files
  
  These policies have gone through committee review.

🧑‍🏫 Statewide Representation

Board members may appoint delegates to the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) Delegate Assembly.

📞 Communication Guidelines

A new document outlines expected communication standards between Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis and board members, including constituent response timelines and coordination on public messaging.

💰 Salary Study: Classified Staff Pay Under Review

In the only administration topic of the night, Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Teetor will present early recommendations from a long-anticipated classified staff salary study.

The goal: Address wage compression, retention, and equity for non-certified employees like:

• Bus monitors and drivers
• Custodians and clerical staff
• Tradespeople and warehouse workers

Three potential salary scales are under consideration, tied to living wage benchmarks for Durham:

• $19.22/hour – Durham County baseline
• $23/hour – City of Durham projection
• $25.55/hour – MIT Living Wage Calculator

This is a discussion item only, with a vote expected later this month.

📚 Academic Services: Inclusion, Devices, and Proclamations

💻 $1.26M Chromebook Purchase

The board will vote on a contract to purchase 2,000 Chromebooks through state vendor CDWG.

DPS reports 2,000+ devices are currently missing or unusable, which may impact access and readiness for end-of-year testing.

📢 Disability Awareness and Anti-Bullying Month

Two proclamations are up for board approval:

• Disability Awareness Month, in partnership with the Durham Advocates for Exceptional Children (DAEC)
• National Bullying Prevention Month, with an emphasis on student safety, inclusion, and empathy

🛡️ Operations: School Safety Plan in Focus

Chief Operating Officer Kenneth Barnes and Safety Director Eva Howard will brief the board on emergency preparedness and school security initiatives. Highlights include:

• State-mandated safety drills (lockdown, tornado, fire, earthquake)
• Visitor management and metal detection
• Restorative practices training for School Resource Officers (SROs)
• Anonymous tip lines monitored 24/7
• Firearm safety messaging for families

The board will not vote on this item.

✈️ Field Trips Approved for Spring 2026

DPS has approved two overnight trips:

• 🎭 Durham School of the Arts theatre students will attend the ITS conference at ECU in Greenville, N.C., March 13–15, 2026
• 🏛️ Lakewood Elementary 5th graders will visit Washington, D.C., March 26-27, 2026, for social studies enrichment

No vote is required; the board is notified per DPS policy.

🔒 Closed Session: Personnel and Legal Issues

The board will meet privately to discuss:

• Employee and student matters
• Legal advice
• Review of previous closed session minutes

Any votes will take place after returning to open session.

🗓️ How to Watch or Attend

• 📍 Location: Fuller Administration Building, 511 Cleveland St., Durham, NC
• 🖥️ Livestream: DPS YouTube channel
• 📑 Agenda and documents: Available at BoardDocs.

This report is part of SoDu We Watch Our Government, a civic transparency project covering Durham Public Schools and local government activity affecting South Durham residents.

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