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Durham board approves RFP for district rightsizing study after asking for stronger community deliverables
Summary
The board approved releasing an RFP for a comprehensive district rightsizing and consolidation study, asking staff to require a final report that includes community engagement findings and to model options that preserve elements of the district’s Growing Together equity goals.
The Durham Public Schools Board of Education approved issuing a request for proposals for a comprehensive district‑wide rightsizing and consolidation study, directing staff to clarify deliverables and require community engagement that produces a usable final report.
Kenneth Barnes presented the draft RFP saying the study would include demographic and enrollment analysis, 10‑year projections, a capacity review, boundary optimization, and cost‑benefit analysis comparing repair versus replacement. Barnes said the study would perform scenario modeling and conduct town halls and surveys to gather community feedback.
Board members asked that the consultant explicitly account for the district’s existing Growing Together goals — the board requested that at least two scenario models be produced that preserve those equity‑driven objectives so the board can see both the feasibility and cost implications. Members also requested the RFP list a clear final deliverable that synthesizes quantitative findings and community input into a single report.
After discussion and suggested edits to clarify deliverables and engagement scope, the board voted unanimously to release the RFP incorporating the recommended changes.
Staff said the RFP would include baseline reports, scenario models, financial impact statements, and a community engagement summary; a project timeline was included in board materials. Board members emphasized that the consultant should use the district’s existing data rather than duplicate earlier work and should explain how each scenario aligns with or diverges from established equity goals.
The vote authorizes staff to proceed with procurement subject to the board’s requested clarifications and positions the district to begin formal community engagements once a consultant is selected.
