Durham School Board voted on Thursday to maintain 11% increment for classified employees for the remaining of the school year.
This increase acts as an interim “fix”, more than last year’s salary while a long -term solution is developed.
DPS released the following statements:
“This vote ends the duration of uncertainty and anxiety for our classified employees, but it does not end our commitment to provide employees with high wages. Durham Public School Employees will be looking for opportunities to increase wages as we start discussing around next year’s budget. ,
This decision comes after more than a month debate about the ongoing pay issues of the district.
On Thursday night, members of Durham Public School Board of Education met and discussed how much to pay to classified employees. The board weighed the first four options, but was only on two tables on Thursday night.
The option was increased by 1 11%, and option 2 included an increase of 15%. While the option is covered in 1 budget. Option 2 is more than the budget $ 2 million.
Both end salary studies and restore heritage steps, which means credits for external experience, including private practice.
Employees of Durham Public School have organized several protests, and the four -day school has been canceled on the issue.
Although some employees will reduce whatever they earn after waking up October, they will still see an increase in comparison to the compensation of the previous year.
DPS Interim Superintendent Catty Moore and Chairman of the School Board held a news conference at 11 pm after the meeting. He said that this decision was difficult, but necessary.
Moore has said that competitive salary has been offered for a long time, but it has been explained that DPS has delayed its decision to meet the county commissioners this week.
Moore said, if DPS is planning to ask county for money, it would be best to do so for the next salary study.
Finance officials warned the board that it is worth receiving maximum without exceeding the lack of 11% budget.
The board heard from Kerry Crutchfield on Thursday, the controller of the new work of the district, which he has found in the budget.
Crutfield reports stated that the salary was an important lapse in the study and applying it was like putting a square peg in a round hole. He recommends option 1.
After a permanent scheme is implemented, the district can implement the reduction in salary in future.
Moving forward, the controller presented a plan for future salary studies.
Stating that parts of the previous HIL study can be included, it was ultimately flawed due to the implementation plan and lack of cost analysis.
Additionally, some proposed stages have exceeded the state maximum, which requires adjustments to align with current market trends and budgetary boundaries.
Who is considered a ‘classified’ employee?
DPS employees are either classified or certified.
Classified employees were affected, but certified employees were not.
Bus drivers are classified, but were not affected due to a separate past pay study for them.
Classified employees include:
- Instructional assistance
- Physical/professional therapist
- Transport Workers (Bus Engineering, Supervisor, Driver)
- Building construction services
- Grounds crew
- Cafeteria worker
- Conservation employee
Certified employees include:
- Teacher
- speech Language pathologist