Durham County commissioners approved nearly $400,000 in emergency budget amendments for youth home and jail medical services, heard urgent pleas from school employees about a salary crisis affecting over 1,300 workers, and explored a potential $2 million investment in affordable housing lending as the board tackled a mix of operational and strategic priorities.
The salary crisis took center stage when two Durham Public Schools physical therapists testified about an unexplained change to the employee salary schedule that dropped experienced staff to entry-level pay with no raises possible for 18 years. Heidi Joe Hetland, who had been at DPS for 33 years, said she was moved "from Step 33 to step one" overnight, making her eligible for a raise only in her 70s. Coworker Christy Clim reported that morale is "lower than I've ever experienced" and resignations have "already started." The petitioners asked commissioners to intervene and investigate who authorized the change, noting that the DPS attorney is conducting the investigation rather than a neutral outside firm. The board took no immediate action but acknowledged the urgency.
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