DPS employees demand salary increases and policy changes to support families in fear

Concerns over salary freezes and support for classified staff dominated the recent Durham Public Schools (DPS) Board of Education meeting, as employees voiced their frustrations and urgent needs.

During the session, staff members highlighted the impact of current salary schedules, which have led to pay compression and capped earnings for many positions. A speaker noted that a significant portion of classified employees, including Instructional Assistants (IAs) and nurses, face pay freezes that could last for years. "IAs are going to cap out at year 22, with no career raises after that," one employee stated, emphasizing the long-term implications for staff morale and retention.

The meeting also featured passionate testimonies from classified staff, including bus monitors and safety assistants, who shared their experiences working with students, particularly those with special needs. Tashina Clay, a safety assistant, expressed deep concern for her students and their families, many of whom are living in fear due to immigration issues. "People shouldn't have to live that way," she said, calling for the district to adopt a no-collaboration policy with ICE to protect vulnerable families.

Clay and others urged the board to prioritize a budget that includes a $200 monthly transportation supplement and a 2% local salary increase for classified workers. "When we fight, we win," she concluded, rallying support for their cause.

The discussions underscored a critical moment for DPS as it navigates budgetary constraints while addressing the needs of its dedicated staff and the students they serve. The board's decisions in the coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping the future of classified employees and the support systems in place for students across the district.