Durham teachers await commissioners' final vote on 2025 budget

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Durham teachers will pay close attention as commissioners prepare for the final vote on the 2025 budget on Monday.

It follows months of upheaval for Durham Public Schools employees, which resulted in widespread walkouts and reckoning about pay in the district.

In April, DPS unanimously passed its most expensive budget ever: a $26 million increase. This includes some serious salary increases per the raises approved by state lawmakers last year:

• 5 percent raise for the 2024-2025 school year for certified employees
• 3 percent raise for classified employees

WATCH | How we got here: A timeline of DPS' ongoing challenges

It's only been two and half weeks since problems started with Durham Public Schools but it feels like much longer.

But, in May, the proposed county budget allocated only a $13 million increase for DPS.

The Durham Association of Educators has already communicated with the commissioners before the meeting. They said the fight to increase wages for teachers and staff is necessary.

"We have coworkers that have already left. We know there are folks talking about taking other jobs," Symone Kiddo, the president of DAE, said. "I think we will be in a very severe staffing crisis that I would be concerned about how to safely open schools in August."

DAE has been involved in the county's public meetings.

About a week ago, they delivered letters of support for their cause to the Durham County government building, where some commissioners were not in their chambers yet.

The Board of Commissioners' closed sessions at 5 p.m. and its regular session is at 7 p.m.

SEE ALSO | Breakdown of Durham County's $955M budget proposal for new fiscal year

The $955 million proposed budget includes a property tax increase and an increase in the Durham Public Schools budget. Some homeowners say it might be worth it to improve the community.