Durham Public Schools board members heard stark data about equity gaps and operational challenges at their January 12 work session, ultimately deciding to delay a major school reassignment vote after over 40 families packed the meeting to oppose the plan.
The day's most striking moment came when consultants presented a salary study showing classified employees—bus drivers, custodians, food service workers—have received only 11% raises since 2008 while teachers got 91%. The recommendation: a $10.8 million investment to fix the compression problem where veteran classified staff earn the same or less than new hires. Board member Natalie Beyer pushed hard for higher starting wages to match what the City, County, and Duke University pay. Consultants acknowledged the $10.8 million may not fully close the gap but called it reasonable given the district's financial constraints.
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