SoDu Week in Review - Jan. 25, 2025

School No-Bus Zones: Advocate with Care

The North Carolina PTA held two emergency meetings during the past week to address concerns about the new Durham Public Schools "family responsibility zones," which require families living within a half mile or so of their schools to provide transportation for their children - whether that means walking, riding a bicycle, or arriving in the family car. Except in special circumstances, this means no school bus service.

But local PTA organizations, although encouraged to advocate for safety, collect clothes for students, and enlist help to get crossing guards, shouldn't actively promote or organize walking groups due to liability concerns. That's the feedback from Dr. Shaneeka Moore-Lawrence, president of the NCPTA.

How are the family responsibility zones affecting your family? Send me a letter to the editor at southpointaccessnews@gmail.com.

Another Year, Another DPS Shortfall

Durham Public Schools' Board of Education meets Tuesday evening, and they'll get a report from the school district's finance team about the $7-million budget shortfall DPS is confronting.

Brickworks Moves Forward

The Durham City Council approved rezoning of an old brick manufacturing site for Brickworks, an 1,880-home development project along Angier Avenue. The development, led by SpaceCraft, next goes to the design phase.

In Other News

• SoDu Shopping Basket: Jan. 18, 2025
• City Discussing Moriah Ridge Annexation
• Got Input for the Durham-to-Roxboro Trail?
• Protecting Durham's Immigrant Families: Preparing for Uncertainty in a Second Trump Term
• North Carolina Among States Challenging Birthright Citizenship Order
• Seasonal Delights: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables to Enjoy in North Carolina This Winter
• [Raising Durham] To Bot or Not to Bot? How AI Became My Ride or Die
• [Nerdspresso] Farewell, David Lynch
• Via The Editor's Desk Blog: When Walking Away Brings You Full Circle

Milestones

• [In Memoriam] Durham Obituaries - Jan. 21, 2025
• [Welcome to the World] Durham Births - Jan. 11-17, 2025

SoDu We Like Podcasts?

• SoDu We Like Local News Episode 7: Another Durham Schools Budget Shortfall?
• SoDu We Like Local History Episode 1: Dr. Bartlett Leonidas Durham
• Nerdspresso Phase II Episode 2: Still No Flying Cars

Let's Play

• Crossword: Surreality

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