Durham school board to meet with educators group over pay dispute

The Durham Association of Educators (DAE) is one step closer to receiving what they want. They asked to meet with the board about this pay issue. The meeting will happen on Thursday.

Posted 2:13 p.m. Feb 15 — Updated 11:49 p.m. Feb 15

WRAL Staff

DURHAM, N.C. — After several weeks of protests and school days lost, Durham Public Schools employees are meeting with the school board.

Work will continue on Thursday to try and find solutions to the pay dispute there.

The Durham Association of Educators (DAE) is one step closer to receiving what they want. They asked to meet with the board about this pay issue. Thursday, that will happen at the Staff Development Center.

Durham schools interim superintendent says district on verge of having to make up lost days

There have been multiple protests and four days of no school for students this past month. Workers are trying to bring attention to these pay issues.

Board Chair Bettina Umstead spoke at a news conference Wednesday. She explained keeping the July through January raises is not financially sustainable. It's $9 million over budget.

State data shows public school enrollment declining - and that means less funding.

"We know that the state has not funded public education in the way it should," Umstead said. "All of the energy that in Durham is excited to go to the state and advocate for a state budget that fully funds public schools."

The meeting with the DAE is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The board is set to make a final decision on a long-term solution next week.

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