Durham Public Schools' fund balance plummeted from $18 million to $8.4 million due to accounting failures and a $5 million food service loss, prompting urgent action on teacher pay gaps.
DPS fund balance dropped from $18 million to $8.4 million after seven material audit weaknesses including unreconciled accounts and a $5 million food service loss forced a $3 million emergency loan.
Physical therapists and occupational therapists are leaving at crisis levels with a 30 percent vacancy rate; the district approved a salary study launching August 18 with October 9 proposals.
The board adopted a February 2026-27 budget timeline and formed a Capital Improvement Plan task force to prioritize $965 million in identified school facility needs across 85 buildings.