Durham school board adopts Crown Act week, authorizes policy review committee and hears wide public concern over transportation and staffing

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education on Feb. 21 approved a resolution designating Feb. 24–28, 2025, as Durham Public Schools Crown Act Week, voted to create an ad hoc committee to develop procedures for a standing policy committee, and received extended public comment raising transportation, aftercare and staffing concerns as the district develops its budget.

The Crown Act Week resolution, presented to the board by a district staff member, affirms the district’s support for protections against hair-based discrimination and urges school administrators to use inclusive resources during the week. The board voted 6–0 to adopt the resolution.

During the public-comment period, parents and community members pressed the board for detailed plans on express bus stops and the district’s family responsibility zones (FRZs), which change where students are eligible for door-to-door bus service. Several commenters said the lack of precise stop locations and schedules is forcing families — particularly single-parent households, families of younger students and families with work constraints — to scramble for transportation or aftercare. “Where will express stops be? What times will they operate? What are the expectations of parents at pickup and drop off?” asked Chad Heffley, identified as a parent of students at Rogers-Herr Middle and Hope Valley Elementary in a written public comment read into the record.

Multiple public commenters also urged the board to restore…