Durham Public Schools Board of Education work session, Jan. 9, 2025

Students, a high-school science teacher and representatives of local university groups urged the Durham Public Schools board on Thursday to direct staff to develop a formal climate action plan to meet targets laid out in the district's 2021 clean-energy resolution.

Why it matters: Speakers said a clear plan would help the district reach its 2035 goal to reduce nonrenewable energy use by 80%, protect student health and unlock federal funding for clean-energy and efficiency projects.

Who spoke and what they asked
Rachel Owens, a science teacher at Northern High School and a member of DPS’s Energy Advisory Council, told the board: "We appreciate good intentions. What we need is action, a climate action plan." She urged the board to direct the district's energy-conservation staff to draft the plan and to report back on current efforts.

Multiple student speakers — including Miriam Masamba (City of Medicine Academy), Mathias Matthew (Northern High School) and Edmund David Hester (junior at Northern High School) — described learning experiences in school climate clubs and regional summits and said that implementation choices must focus on equity, so that improvements reach older buildings and low-income communities.

Representatives of the Duke Climate Coalition and Duke University student groups also offered support. Fisher Mallon, speaking for the Duke Climate Coalition, referenced national examples and federal funding opportunities, saying the Inflation Reduction Act and other federal programs offer money for schools that invest in energy efficiency and clean energy.

What staff and the board said
The public comment portion consisted entirely of speakers asking for a district-led climate action plan and offering to assist. Board members thanked the students and invited continued collaboration; staff did not announce a formal action at the meeting to produce a plan but heard repeated requests to proceed.

Requests and resources
Speakers asked the board to:
- Direct district staff to prepare a formal climate action plan aligned to the 2021 resolution and the 2035 target.
- Provide a public update on current energy-efficiency projects and on which district buildings have retrofit needs.
- Explore federal financing opportunities and technical assistance available to school districts for solar and efficiency projects.

Ending
Board members thanked the students and community groups for the presentations and said they would continue to solicit input from students and subject-matter partners as the district considers next steps.