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Public commenters urge transparency on Little River mold, audit findings and call for dress code changes
Summary
During general public comment, speakers urged the board to evaluate central-office staffing and pre-K strategy, criticized district leadership over mold and program rollout at Little River, noted an auditor's report from 2023—24, and requested reinstating or tightening a student dress code.
A set of community members used the public-comment period at Tuesday's Durham Public Schools board meeting to press for organizational review, to raise campus health concerns at Little River Elementary School and to request policy changes.
Ashish Sharda, a parent at Creekside Elementary School, urged the board to evaluate central-office staffing levels and how non-school-based positions are allocated, and suggested examining how other similarly sized districts organize upper administration. He also urged a strategic review of pre-K placements so that one school does not carry a disproportionate pre-K load and suggested consolidating pre-K into one or two sites as a staffing strategy.
Katie McDonald, speaking for Little River staff, delivered an extended critique of the district's handling of a Montessori program rollout and building-health issues at Little River. McDonald said the school lost numerous long-tenured teachers since 2023 and alleged mold exposure in classrooms, saying "We were sent back into unsafe classrooms covered in mold. Colleagues fell ill." She said photos of mold were submitted in early August and criticized the district's responsiveness. McDonald repeatedly used the phrase "wash, rinse, repeat" to describe her view of district accountability and called for more honest and transparent leadership.
Peter Crawford, a parent, referenced an auditors' report for the 2023—24 period and said the findings should prompt local accountability and reforms. He urged the board to continue reforms begun during the prior year even when the decisions are hard.
Deidra Camp, another commenter, requested the board consider implementing a districtwide dress code, arguing that a stricter dress policy can reduce distractions and support student professionalism.
Board members did not respond during public comment beyond procedural acknowledgment; district staff answered substantive items later in the meeting during staff presentations, including the facilities presentation and HR updates.
Those public comments were the principal community-submitted items on the agenda and were recorded for the board's consideration.
