The stakes in the 2026-27 budget center on managing a significant financial gap, with the district projecting a $7 million loss in state funding and, with that, 61 classroom teacher positions.
The budget also plans for a 5% salary increase for certified and classified employees.
This comes as the relationship between the Durham Association of Educators and Durham Public Schools has been tense at times, with disagreements continuing over classified staff pay.
On Feb. 19, DAE President Mika Twietmeyer referred to Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis by only his first name, which sparked discussions in the wake of the last Meet and Confer session of the school year.
Since then, Twietmeyer has apologized and said in part that the DAE "recommits to engaging with respect, especially in challenging moments."
Lewis released the following statement:
"Meet and Confer was established to allow for collaboration among DPS administration and staff. The shared goal is to ensure a high-quality, equitable education for students, while fostering strong staff morale through open dialogue and cooperative problem-solving.
"There's never enough time to fully address these passionate issues, which is why established meeting norms-including meeting length- were developed. President Mika Twietmeyer and I also meet periodically to discuss a variety of agenda topics.
"These are complex issues for Durham Public Schools as well as other school districts across the nation, and we have been committed to the conversations despite the challenges they present."
Ahead of the public town hall meeting on Monday, the CFO, Jeremy Teetor, said the proposed budget outlines what "we must do to continue operating, support staff pay, make ongoing progress in operations, student technology, and infrastructure, and refocus our efforts on capital outlay needs."
Lewis is expected to release his recommended budget on Thursday.
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