[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6260266,"mediaKeyId","3134004-4255b889576e0235889c82fc3940ead6","parentId",3134004,"title","Durham board unanimously adopts proclamation supporting lactation-friendly schools","audioSeconds",346,"startMs",7766000,"endMs",8112000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134004-4255b889576e0235889c82fc3940ead6&start=7766&end=8112","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134004-4255b889576e0235889c82fc3940ead6/thumbnail_7766000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260266/North-Carolina/Durham-board-unanimously-adopts-proclamation-supporting-lactation-friendly-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260266-2a586ba8c707cf02897431fb7f2617c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437384&Signature=WWeiUoLnU6FMduMu17rgot3hi6P6bu7UpqZ1pQ~PuW16JVBQArcqwn3uviEFesNf2xuG2BISQPe8M6RlcNtQQq~UgV7zMMyK0ciT9eZKnqL7iyV509k5l2WiTf-9teBBwgynfbKzvNgHsVWyCeMh7z25xS6X9bFCwyotw10BvI7VOPlpldhn8vhEa6B0-5zSX4fQBBKYaD5mig4yOWvO6yaRPytFTDqr3HVY5CV44WwkfT8r-DojGM-ZnhfxXrhFTdC~FZAT6zlCiQ8clqBWpaNO1I-KKOxCnW2kG3JZNmDiNTtZHyxSTCP-TfQlb56glyl7bBDNU~IxpJsi1SO-Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-27T00:17:11.85Z","article","The Durham Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a proclamation in support of infant feeding practices and lactation-friendly schools.

The proclamation, introduced during National Minority Health Month and brought forward with Breastfeed Durham, cites guidance from leading health organizations and calls for clean, non-bathroom lactation spaces, written district policy, refrigerated milk storage and family-friendly volunteer policies. The text specifically references recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians on the benefits of human milk.

Board members praised the proclamation as a step to support staff and families; several members recounted their own experiences needing lactation accommodations in the workplace. The motion passed unanimously.

Administration noted Durham Public Schools has completed an element of a local breastfeeding-friendly community initiative and directed staff to continue developing supports described in the proclamation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","#DPSCommunity | DPS Board of Education Monthly Meeting | 4/24/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board passed a proclamation recognizing infant feeding and lactation supports in schools, encouraging written policy, clean lactation spaces and curricula that normalize breastfeeding and chestfeeding.","taxTitle","Durham Public Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14087,"location","North Carolina","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6260271,"Students and nutrition advocates tell Durham board school meals must be fresher, more consistent",482,4512000,4994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134004-4255b889576e0235889c82fc3940ead6&start=4512&end=4994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134004-4255b889576e0235889c82fc3940ead6/thumbnail_4512000.jpg","/articles/6260271/North-Carolina/Students-and-nutrition-advocates-tell-Durham-board-school-meals-must-be-fresher-more-consistent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260271-62a822d4b40de4b5a4d94dd1de4c8f49/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437384&Signature=NrCEXnt0NlHE2ALXDouF6z0pe9a4-daKK1eee4g5Ut8gMmQ2E1JVGg12Rf1p~gJUyCbMEvXLGfktdTXY1ddSsO8ExB6Asur5u23R9UHD9MeSreUQ5q9K0PrG6HeWECHN6tXkCJeDkDH7n0Kfr7BoaKqsRAfGM45lnoBPIgClHO0r5LI56mhBfwLGO-seYupBmjejUUYjWHi~4Ff~cfq6oe86mM-jrY~Ay2~q31Q1cb7-i1fYO~ZWg7mqWxki0zJOISjlWp~HABfp7DsV47yyJpPad-wByqTvKE52WwUDAkgOcxE66vryUKtcFpCjemfYNXBdM536WG3r-M2gEsqDyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students and adult advocates told the Durham Public Schools Board of Education during public comment that school lunch quality, shortages and recent contract changes are harming student nutrition and ability to focus in class.

Representatives of UnBox and StudentU, the district's youth food policy council, related multiple incidents in which schools ran out of food during lunch periods. \"Today, April 24, my school ran out of food,\" said JD Clement High School ninth grader Brian Alfaro Chavez. \"Imagine going five hours in multiple classes with only a Pop-Tart as fuel.\" Other students described protein products served as \"mystery meat paste\" after the district ended its contract with a local distributor the students associated with the Good Food Program.

Registered dietitian Kamaria Mason urged the board to commit to funding and policy changes that preserve local and scratch-cooked options. \"I urge you to support the Good Food Program by intentionally funding and allocating an annual fixed percentage of the DPS budget to maintain a minimum of 75% of existing contracts with organizations like Firsthand Foods and Red Hawk Farm,\" Mason said.

Students stressed both nutrition and taste as important to participation in the school meal program; several said the district's Good Food Program and local vendors had been steps forward that should be preserved. CFO Erik Teeter and Child Nutrition staff had earlier told the board the child nutrition program is working to realign finances and operations after contract changes; Teeter said the child nutrition director had done significant work to stabilize the program and that the district expects the program to be self-sustaining next year.

Board members acknowledged the testimony and asked administration to detail contract status and the program's financial outlook in follow-up materials.","Students from UnBox and allied nutrition advocates told the board that cafeteria shortages and the end of a local meat contract have reduced the quality and appeal of school meals; advocates urged the district to prioritize scratch cooking, local suppliers and a fixed local funding allocation to maintain Good Food Program contracts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6260276,"Board approves elimination of 27 classified central-office positions, administration pledges placement efforts",2589,15293000,17882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134004-4255b889576e0235889c82fc3940ead6&start=15293&end=17882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134004-4255b889576e0235889c82fc3940ead6/thumbnail_15293000.jpg","/articles/6260276/North-Carolina/Board-approves-elimination-of-27-classified-central-office-positions-administration-pledges-placement-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260276-792ae2a3bc6f5c09f7ea8deaacbc718d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437384&Signature=SJOO7fmABPTuc~qVVCWcOcahpQjC86K6ruqSy9VF0voJQ0a5gb0apJcxxzGkpjar0Qk07lv4d1M3cHB5YFKE9vYmt3Fn2G8Jmyt52i8KUcYYLiY4aEGTCyAVAOnrpLfJ4PjNuH9lrtbOOjA6RZGauQcipLOWCS-fr7Pg~O9v69QupSa8404F3vCpXGd1GJZpWsGjHqHXR4EE~MMYhEWsV9JgWX3WzL0SB3lg7Ma-ziRfqlz-lpXJpZxRUCWIynfpixb5EwuMoE-BczYz5sxLcdyY76kWC1-1mD3kqDToxqR~cotZnGFtFMj47SD2nGK9u9P87fTSr1sLIiV9wSlQJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Durham Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the superintendent's proposal to eliminate 27 classified central-office positions effective July 1, citing decreased federal ESSER funding and the need to reorganize to a sustainable base budget.

Chief Finance Officer Erik Teeter told the board the cuts were part of a deliberate review by senior leaders to shield classroom positions where possible and to prioritize reductions in central office. \"In order to avoid impact on classrooms, senior members of cabinet focused review on reductions of central office positions,\" Teeter said. The administration's package estimated approximately $2,953,000 in annual savings from the eliminations.

Human-resources leaders said Monday they would contact potentially impacted staff by May 1 and would maintain the current positions through June 30 while the district pursues placement options. HR indicated the next step would be a personnel-level process (part 2) under Board policy for classified reductions; any individual employment actions would follow that additional review and would require further board approval if dismissals were recommended.

Board members repeatedly asked how many of the positions were vacant and how the district would absorb duties. HR and administrators said 11 of the 27 positions were currently vacant; the administration acknowledged questions remain about workload distribution, software transitions and support roles at the district level but said several functions already had been reassigned or absorbed during recent vacancies.

The motion to approve the reduction in force passed 7-0.

Administration said it will provide individually tailored placement conversations, identify current vacancies for potentially impacted employees, and return to the board if formal personnel actions are necessary.","The Durham Public Schools board unanimously approved a superintendent proposal to eliminate 27 classified central-office positions to address ongoing funding shortfalls; administration said it will pursue placement options for affected staff and follow board policy for any personnel actions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":46,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6260281,"Durham board adopts 2025–26 recommended budget after detailed Q&A with finance staff",6028,14140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134004-4255b889576e0235889c82fc3940ead6&start=8112&end=14140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134004-4255b889576e0235889c82fc3940ead6/thumbnail_8112000.jpg","/articles/6260281/North-Carolina/Durham-board-adopts-202526-recommended-budget-after-detailed-QA-with-finance-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260281-746b89ff86f02d0e7dc9ae747f567dcf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437384&Signature=gEWSqgxeSNvdQ8Canb48ebz1HZ0rArP9U6~od0OZ-4u~j95KegHnSvWG6F~blESQnJQBmrBXePQVFWX41pEaSlqknnzwipFx83KBSvNpb28kJWA~oT0wOc~qJwO~4VOh0Xh88TGKiw3PwW310D~GicsspomYPf6nZ30FzwaEmYKyVsJSVDk6neGS1lXKIxKFZ3GrXMtFRNW3bBl5TvVfycdoA2UtdrsG0N1GfkLXttygl7KyrPMpUJBaxjzp6tAs2royUoNfG6Rm-0zPEaNdUc2hSMcKoqEIiwBhUvdOQW-og4sJTv77HAz6RyhB1i6zFNmvDwQTXkUGJfCKwUprBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham Public Schools Board of Education on Thursday approved the superintendent's recommended budget for fiscal year 2025'26, requesting $222,071,005.27 from the county for current expense and $8 million for capital outlay.

The board voted unanimously after a presentation and extended questioning of Chief Finance Officer Erik Teeter, who said his team had spent months cleaning and correcting the district's budget book, reconciling previously missed positions and creating a new baseline for planning. \"We literally open the books,\" Teeter told the board, describing work to identify unbudgeted positions and understaffing that produced a nearly $34 million shortfall in prior materials.

The discussion focused on how the district will reconcile state funding assumptions, staffing allotment ratios and student-support positions. Teeter said the budget team modeled a 3% state raise for planning purposes but emphasized uncertainty until the General Assembly and the governor finalize the state budget: \"When all of that comes to be and we know when that settles ... that affects the state resources that comes our way,\" he said. Board members asked how that uncertainty would affect local decisions on classified pay, teacher supplements and other priorities.

Board members pressed for clarity on allotments for assistant principals, counselors, media coordinators and interpreters. Teeter said the administration's intent was to protect school-based positions where possible, and that counselor allocations were left unchanged because of the district's mental-health priorities. On media coordinators at some high schools, the administration said it had heard principals' business cases and would maintain two media coordinator allotments at affected schools for the coming year.

Several board members urged the administration to accelerate work on a classified salary study and on clearer, multi-year budget calendars so the board and the public can evaluate long-term tradeoffs. Teeter said he would return with concrete figures and recommended next steps once the state's actions were known. \"Our goal would be to get that in front of you at the May 8 meeting to just knock that out,\" he said regarding substitute pay and related questions.

Following the Q&A the board moved to adopt the superintendent's budget. The motion passed unanimously.

The superintendent's recommended figures will now go to the Durham County manager for inclusion in the county's budget process; the county manager plans to release a recommended county budget in May. The board and county commission must finalize their respective budgets before July 1, the county manager told the board.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the recommendation requesting $222,071,005.27 for current expense and $8,000,000 for capital outlay by unanimous vote.","The Durham Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the superintendent's recommended 2025'26 budget after lengthy questions and answers with Chief Finance Officer Erik Teeter and Superintendent Mike Lewis about staffing formulas, state funding assumptions and next steps with the county.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Durham board unanimously adopts proclamation supporting lactation-friendly schools

Students and nutrition advocates tell Durham board school meals must be fresher, more consistent

Board approves elimination of 27 classified central-office positions, administration pledges placement efforts

Durham board adopts 2025–26 recommended budget after detailed Q&A with finance staff