Durham Public Schools Board of Education held a work session on February 9, 2026, to discuss district operations and hear public comments regarding school conditions and governance matters.
Durham Public Schools board members discussed severe facility maintenance issues, community concerns about student safety, and significant budget pressures during a work session focused on summer programs, technology devices, and staff compensation.
Teacher Katie McDonald presented photographs of mold, peeling wallpaper, and water damage at Little River Elementary, describing personal health effects including facial flushing and rashes. McDonald's classroom had a spore count of 23,000 in September, and mold appeared in the hallway near the cafeteria. Instead of removing the growth per state requirements, the district had stapled wallpaper over the damage. McDonald questioned whether poor facility maintenance would be the legacy of departing board members and called for accountability.
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