Durham Public Schools voted unanimously Thursday to send Durham County a $28.5M funding increase request for 2026-27, which would bring the district's total county allocation to $252.5M including $7.8M for capital outlay.
The largest piece is $10.5M for a classified staff pay increase of just over 12%. District workers had pushed back on an earlier proposal that would have raised those salaries by 5%. Finance chief Jeremy Teetor noted that DPS asked the county for just over $16M last year and received just over $12M, forcing the board to reprioritize spending mid-cycle.
- Technology spending: The proposal includes $2.8M to replace aging Chromebooks and BrightLink display panels, down from a $3.7M proposal that drew criticism at a February town hall. Some speakers Thursday urged the board to redirect that money to staff pay or building repairs. Board chair Bettina Umstead argued students still need current tools in class.
- State funding losses: DPS is entering the request cycle expecting a $7.2M drop in state funding driven mostly by enrollment declines, plus another $6.6M loss tied to charter schools.
County Manager Claudia Hager is expected to release budget recommendations in May. County commissioners are set to make their final local funding decision June 8.