Durham Public Schools (DPS) continue to face financial and operational difficulties more than a year after a major budgetary scandal. In early 2023, the district discovered it had inadvertently overpaid 1,300 employees, causing the budget to balloon by millions of dollars. In a bid to rectify the financial mishap, DPS enacted salary cuts in January 2024. Predictably, the salary reductions provoked substantial dissatisfaction among staff and the broader community. Long-standing employees found their wages slashed to match entry-level rates, inciting protests and walkouts. The affected workers demanded a greater voice in the decision-making processes.
Leadership Changes and Financial Adjustments
The DPS Board of Education investigated the overpayment issue and attributed it to a miscommunicated new salary schedule for classified workers, which include cafeteria, maintenance, and transportation staff. Misalignment with state policy on calculating worker experience further exacerbated the problem. This turmoil led to the resignations of both the DPS chief financial officer and Superintendent Pascal Mubenga. In an attempt to quell the backlash, DPS approved 11% raises for the staff in February 2024, while also welcoming a new superintendent. By mid-2024, the county increased the district’s budget by more than $27 million, largely allocated to higher salaries.
Despite these financial interventions, unresolved issues lingered. In January 2025, DPS revealed a new budget deficit of $7 million, a considerable improvement from the previous $34 million shortfall. However, this discrepancy raised concerns among advocates for DPS employees, notably Mika Twietmeyer, president of the Durham Association of Educators (DAE). Twietmeyer pointed out the inconsistency between the additional $27.5 million allocated last year and the current deficit. She identified unbudgeted items, such as payments for 315 mostly vacant positions, as contributing significantly to the shortfall, questioning the efficacy of the previous financial adjustments.
Operational Challenges and Transportation Issues
Beyond the financial hurdles, DPS faces operational difficulties in various departments, notably transportation. A significant shortage of bus drivers forced the district to reduce bus routes to just four days a week in November. This constraint led to the implementation of “family responsibility zones” in January, which removed bus services for students residing within a mile and a half of their schools. To compound these issues, promises of extra pay for workers taking on additional shifts remained unfulfilled, further aggravating staff frustration and operational inefficiencies.
To confront these overlapping challenges, DPS initiated the “Dollars and Decisions” series, aimed at engaging community members in the budget development process for the 2025-26 school year. This initiative seeks to educate the community on how the budget functions while actively soliciting their input in making critical financial decisions. Nevertheless, Twietmeyer and the DAE continue to advocate for a more formal role in district decision-making. They push for a meet-and-confer policy to establish structured negotiation mechanisms between the union and the DPS administration, hoping to secure a more transparent and inclusive environment.
Efforts Towards Transparency and Inclusivity
Recurring themes of financial mismanagement and poor communication within DPS have resulted in a prevailing sense of distrust and dissatisfaction among staff. The district’s attempts to remedy the situation through salary increases and community engagement indicate a step toward more transparency and greater inclusivity. However, these initial measures need consistent support and effective implementation to restore long-term stability and confidence among employees and stakeholders.
The persistent and complex issues facing DPS are evident, ranging from budget deficits and administrative errors to staffing shortages and logistical hurdles. These ongoing challenges reflect the district’s struggle to overcome past mistakes while working to establish sustainable solutions for the future. The narrative captures the diverse perspectives of employees, union representatives, and district officials, illustrating the multifaceted nature of the problems at hand and the imperative need for effective leadership and collaboration.
Towards a Brighter Future
Durham Public Schools (DPS) are still grappling with financial and operational issues over a year after a significant budgetary scandal. In early 2023, the district discovered it had unintentionally overpaid 1,300 employees, blowing up the budget by millions of dollars. To correct this financial blunder, DPS introduced salary cuts in January 2024. As expected, these pay reductions generated widespread discontent among staff and the community. Many long-serving employees faced having their salaries reduced to entry-level rates, sparking protests and walkouts. The affected workforce demanded more involvement in the decision-making processes. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by DPS, highlighting the tension between administrative decisions and employee satisfaction. The district is now in the spotlight, scrutinized by both the public and its staff, calling for greater transparency and improved governance to restore trust and stability within their educational system.
