{"id":11594,"date":"2024-02-23T21:13:46","date_gmt":"2024-02-23T21:13:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/9thstreetjournal.org\/?p=11594"},"modified":"2024-02-23T21:13:46","modified_gmt":"2024-02-23T21:13:46","slug":"this-is-a-train-wreck-in-divided-vote-durham-school-board-approves-11-percent-worker-raises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/9thstreetjournal.org\/2024\/02\/23\/this-is-a-train-wreck-in-divided-vote-durham-school-board-approves-11-percent-worker-raises\/","title":{"rendered":"‘This is a train wreck’: In divided vote, Durham school board approves 11 percent worker raises"},"content":{"rendered":"

Classified workers in Durham public schools will receive a flat 11% raise over their 2022-23 compensation for the rest of the school year, the Board of Education decided on Thursday. The vote came at 11:30 p.m., five hours into the much anticipated and emotional meeting. It passed 5-2, with Emily Chavez and Alexandra Valladares voting no.<\/span><\/p>\n

While workers will make more money than they did last year, many at the meeting were deeply unhappy with the decision. That\u2019s because for many workers, paychecks for the remainder of the year will shrink compared to what they received in October through February.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI drive 20 minutes north to work for a DPS school,\u201d occupational therapist Leslie Riley said before the vote. \u201cBut I could drive 20 minutes south and make $10,000 more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The 11% raise was one of two options proposed by independent comptroller Kerry Crutchfield, who was contracted recently to examine the district\u2019s finances. The other option was a flat 15% raise. According to Crutchfield\u2019s presentation, which he had three weeks to pull together, the 11% raise was the most the district could afford to pay within the current budget.<\/span><\/p>\n

The decision came at a packed meeting on the heels of a tumultuous six weeks.<\/a> The grass around the property served as a secondary parking lot after the first one filled. People lined the walls of the room after all the seats were taken. Body heat became a significant issue \u2014 board member Jovonia Lewis fanned herself with a plastic folder as she listened to Crutchfield speak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0In October, the school district gave raises to nearly 2,000 non-certified workers \u2014\u00a0cafeteria workers, instructional assistants, therapists, and more. But after giving the raises, the district discovered that the new pay rates would put the district at least $9 million over budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, the DPS administration announced in January that they would retract the raises. But after the news prompted sickouts, protests, and school closures, the school system continued to pay the raised rates through February while the school board struggled to figure out a longer-term solution. The superintendent resigned<\/a> earlier this month over the pay dispute.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a train wreck,\u201d board member Alexandra Valladares said last night. \u201cA train wreck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before hearing Crutchfield\u2019s report<\/a>, the board heard public comment from attendees. Having already seen the options online, many workers jumped to express their disappointment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese are the same, reheated options,\u201d said one classified worker. \u201cEither option will cut my salary significantly,\u201d said 15-year DPS employee Amy Tony.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to lose any of our very experienced staff to other districts,\u201d board member Jessica Carda-Auten later said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Board member Emily Chavez inquired about possible funding sources for continuing to pay the higher rates through the end of the year. \u201cI just feel like we should pay them what we told them we would pay,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what we came here tonight to hear,\u201d someone in the crowd whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulling from the school system\u2019s fund balance and a recent $18 million grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott were both mentioned as options. But, pulling money from other sections of the budget isn\u2019t as simple as it sounds, several system leaders said. Acting CFO Cierra Ojijo told the board that the 11% raise was the only option within the budget \u201creconciled the way it currently is.\u201d Even if the money is there, rearranging it would be a much larger conversation, acting Superintendent Catty Moore said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Crutchfield, Moore, and board chair Bettina Umstead also reminded the board that salaries are recurring expenses, not one-time payments. They urged the board not to fund salaries with temporary funds \u2014 grants and other monies that expire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Crutchfield, a man with fluffy white hair and a readily available smile, said continuing to pay workers at the higher rates would cost roughly $1 million per month over the budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He also alluded to tight funding for education across the state of North Carolina.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t get me started about the equity of state funding,\u201d Crutchfield joked. \u201cYou\u2019ll be here all night!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another option would be to ask the county commissioners for money. The board was scheduled to meet with commissioners on Monday, but postponed that meeting until March. Umstead explained that the board hadn\u2019t yet discussed its budget priorities for next year, which is what the meeting is supposed to be about.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Though board members bounced around other ideas \u2014 for example, Moore said that rescinding the 7% raises granted to administrators in October is \u201con the table\u201d\u2014 nothing within immediate reach seemed to offer a solution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cIt\u2019s been six weeks since we\u2019ve been in this turmoil.\u201d Umstead said before casting her \u201caye\u201d vote. \u201cI don\u2019t love every single option today.\u201d But, she said of the 11% option, \u201cit allows us to stay in budget. What\u2019s vital for us to consider is what happens now that is sustainable\u2026 that we can continue to increase our employees salaries for the future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the debate came to a close, Crutchfield shifted his gaze towards the future. The next agenda item was to discuss budget priorities for next year \u2014 the subject of next month\u2019s meeting with the county commissioners. Crutchfield signaled that the board has more tough financial choices to come. The school district faces financial \u201ccliffs\u201d ahead because of federal funds that will soon expire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cAs difficult and important as the decision you\u2019re making right now, the next agenda item is actually going to be more difficult,\u201d Crutchfield said, referring to the coming year\u2019s budget. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re faced with a double whammy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After the vote, crowds of workers trudged towards their cars. Though the last six weeks have been fiery, last night many seemed more sad than mad. \u201cI hope you\u2019re doing relatively okay, despite everything,\u201d one worker said to the man next to her on their way out. He mustered a half-hearted smile. \u201cI\u2019m trying,\u201d he responded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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