DPS board, commissioners begin next fiscal year budget talks, including pay raises

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Durham County Public Schools outlined its budget priorities after facing weeks of frustration from district workers.

Interim Superintendent Catty Moore led discussions around the school district's needs at the joint board of education and county commissioners meeting.

"I think people impacted by the messiness of this implementation should be angry," said Interim Superintendent Catty Moore. "We need to be held accountable by our classified employees and the community for the vision of what market rate looks like and to make sure we're making progress toward that."

The school district is looking at a five percent salary increase for certified workers, a three percent increase for classified workers, and a 12 percent increase for teachers. As for those with relevant degrees, Master's pay could be on the table.

County budget leaders expressed concern over the numbers they saw and wondered where the money DPS is discussing will come from.

"I'm in a hole without giving a single dollar more to Durham Public Schools," said Keith Lane, Durham County Budget Director. "Our expenditure growth continues to be significant, but our revenue growth has slowed significantly and that is a problem."

These conversations come as it's been a rocky start to the year with bus drivers and other school district workers taking a stance, calling out sick and demanding what they call livable wages.

"In this moment, how we started this year with Durham Public Schools, recruitment and retention are on the minds of everybody," said Lakewood Elementary School media coordinator Turquoise LeJeune Parker. "Who wants to come here after what's happened in January, February and March? Who wants to stay here?"

Parker has no plans of leaving the school district over pay because of her love for teaching students, but she like many others believes the district has work to do to rectify this situation.

"The conversations...discussions. I'm grateful they are happening. Simultaneously, I need the folks on Jones Street in Raleigh to wake up and figure out when they're going to make the right choice.

According to the school district, there will be a public hearing and the superintendent should present her proposed budget on April 11