Parents rally behind Durham teacher movement in sign of solidarity

Wednesday afternoon in Durham, some showed their support with signs, others with sandwiches. For some parents, it's been a day where they've gone from picking up their kids, to picking up a sign on the picket line.

Posted 10:11 p.m. Jan 31 — Updated 4:29 p.m. Feb 1

Eric Miller

, WRAL reporter

DURHAM, N.C. — For Durham parents, Wednesday was a day of disruption.

But many told WRAL, they think it's worth it, if it gets school staff the money and support they’re asking for.

The impact of these protests has been hard to miss, from protesters lining the street in downtown Durham, to empty schools.

And for some parents, it was a day where they went from picking up their kids, to picking up a sign on the picket line. Hundreds of DPS employees called out of work Wednesday, gathering to protest pay issues at two rallies. Twelve schools were closed as a result.

Wednesday afternoon in Durham, some showed their support with signs while others brought sandwiches.

"It’s too big to ignore right now," Durham mother Gwen Nagle said. "I happen to have some free time today, so it’s the least I could do."

Nagle dropped off boxes as part of a union-organized event to feed kids who couldn’t attend school Wednesday.

25 Durham school bus routes uncovered Monday afternoon, district says

"Yeah, I have a daughter at Durham Public Schools, at Hillandale down the street, and everyone I know including myself is just horrified by the situation because you know that public schools are underfunded but it just takes one situation like this to really break the system," Nagle said.

Nagle says her daughter is in school today, but the constant disruptions to schedules and bus routes have left her feeling nervous. She says the solution is simple.

"I would just say listen to what the people are saying because we’re stating it in the DAE stating it very clearly," Nagle said.

Nagle isn’t alone.

"They shouldn’t be taken advantage of, by no means," said Jessica Corbett.

Corbett has three kids in Durham Public Schools. She said the recent school closures and canceled bus routes have disrupted her life.

"I work in Raleigh, my husband works third shift," Corbett said. "So I have to call and wake him up to make sure he’s aware he has to drive to the schools to pick them up."

It’s a small price to pay, she says, to support the teachers and staff who look after her children.

"The teachers, the bus drivers, the custodial staff, they mean so much to us because they make our children feel safe at school," Corbett said.

DPS to review salary options Friday

Durham Public Schools will discuss potential pay options at a meeting on Friday.

According to documents obtained by WRAL News, the school district is considering two payment options for employees

Option 1: HIL Compensation Study - State experienceMonthly compensation based upon the January 2024 email to classified employees
- Minimum 4% increase to classified employees over 2022-23 Compensation
  - Maintains adjustments to salary grades.

Option 2: Eliminate HIL Compensation Study

Maintain 1-to-1 experience steps
Implement an 11% salary increase over 2022-23 compensation for classified employees
- 2022-23 salary steps would be restored
- 4% state increase and 7% locally-funded increase
- Some employees would receive less compensation than stated in the January 2024 letter

The district said both funding options are available in the 2023-24 fiscal year budget.

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