The Durham Public Schools Board of Education passed a strong resolution this week affirming that all students are protected from immigration enforcement, regardless of immigration status. The unanimous action came in direct response to increased federal ICE activity in Durham that caused student attendance to plummet to 70% this week, down from the normal 90%. The resolution prohibits staff from asking about immigration status, requires judicial warrants for ICE access to school property, and mandates staff training on safety protocols. Board members strengthened the language before voting, with Superintendent Lewis stating plainly: "I don't care about those numbers this week. What I do care about is our community and our students." Student representative Lordis Manson asked the board to pair the resolution with educational resources so students understand what it means and feel the protection it offers.
The board also grappled with an enrollment crisis that is draining the district's budget. Durham Public Schools lost more than 1,500 students this year, bringing enrollment down to 29,717 from a projected 31,962. That decline is creating a $4.7 million additional unfunded obligation to charter schools, which are now receiving $51 million annually from DPS—up from the budgeted $46.3 million. Charter schools now claim 23% of the district's local funds. In response, the district has imposed a hiring freeze and is reviewing contracts, with possible reduction in force as a last resort if the budget situation worsens. Finance Director Matt Teter presented three possible salary increase scenarios for classified employees ranging from $23.5 million to $119.7 million in cost, but board members acknowledged the district cannot afford any of them without state budget certainty or county revenue improvements. Board Member Natalie Beyer said bluntly: "We love you. If we had scenario three, we would give it to you. You all are worth every dollar and more." The next financial update comes in December.
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