Students, parents and teacher urge DPS board to save Riverside Latin program

Riverside High School students, alumni, parents and the school’s Latin teacher urged the Durham Public Schools Board of Education on Wednesday to reverse a proposed elimination of the Riverside Latin program amid district budget reductions.

“My name is Emma Goss. I’m a rising sophomore in the engineering program at Riverside,” student Emma Goss began during the public comment period, telling the board that Latin “makes me a better student in all of my subjects” and that Riverside is the only high school in the district that offers Latin classes beyond middle school.

The Riverside speakers framed their request as academic and community preservation, highlighting statewide competitive success and student supports tied to the course. Parent Ray Solo said his older son had studied Latin at Riverside and called the program a unique option within Durham Public Schools that helps keep students in the district rather than seeking private alternatives. Student Cameron Uho, president of Riverside’s Junior Classical League chapter, described competitive successes and leadership opportunities tied to the program. Riverside Latin teacher Melissa Lido told the board she has built “a thriving award‑winning Latin program” in 13 years at Riverside and that it provides a “sense of belonging” for many students, including LGBTQ+ students.

Speakers gave concrete figures as evidence of demand and outcomes: the presenters said a petition opposing elimination gathered more than 500 signatures; Lido said roughly 80% of middle‑school students who arrive at Riverside continue Latin into upper levels, and that, over the past three years, about 40% of Latin I students moved into Latin III while about 35% advanced to Latin IV, V or AP Latin. She also cited 13 consecutive state competition wins for Junior Classical League activity.

Board members did not act on the request during the public‑comment period. The presentations were part of the board’s general public comment time; no agenda motion or vote on Latin program funding or course elimination occurred at the meeting.

Students and the teacher urged the board to weigh program preservation in upcoming budget decisions and to consider the program’s role in providing academic rigor, extracurricular leadership and community for students who might otherwise leave DPS for private schools. Teacher Melissa Lido, speaking for the program, asked the board to “do everything in your power to please save Latin for Durham, save Latin for Riverside, and save Latin for the students.”

The board did not discuss Latin as part of the rest of the evening’s agenda items; the subject will remain a matter for the superintendent and the board’s budget process in coming weeks.

Why this matters: Riverside’s Latin program is the district’s only sustained high‑school Latin pathway, speakers said. Removing the program would affect students who use the class for advanced study, college preparation and competitive extracurriculars, and parents warned that elimination could push families toward private options.

What to watch next: Watch for any budget amendment or program‑allocation vote that specifically mentions Riverside’s language offerings or high‑school course reductions, and for follow‑up communications from the superintendent about program decisions.