Durham school workers are finally getting raises, but the Durham Association of Educators (DAE) is expressing disappointment. The Durham Public Schools Board of Education voted to approve the 2026-27 classified salary schedules, which will boost the minimum wage to $18.22 an hour, a 6.2% increase from the previous rate. This is a significant win for the classified staff, including bus drivers, teaching assistants, and administrative workers, who will see their monthly salaries increase to $3,158.13 for full-time employees. However, the DAE is pushing back on the raises, arguing that the district's approval falls short of what advocates demanded. They urged the board to raise classified staff pay to at least $22 per hour with a long-term commitment to reach $25 per hour. The DAE criticized the school board leadership for voting on salary schedules with little time for community input and pointed out that the $18.22 hourly floor is below the district's living wage policy. Three school board members opposed the decision, advocating for more input from the community and staff. While the local increases seem like a win for educators and staff, the DAE's criticism highlights the ongoing tensions between the district and its workers. The salary increases come after the North Carolina state budget was approved, bringing 3% state-funded raises for both certified and classified state staff. In addition to local adjustments, DPS staff will also see state-funded raises and upcoming fall bonuses. Classified staff will receive a 3% state-funded pay increase this month, a one-time state-funded bonus of $1,750 for employees making $65,000 or less a year, and a $1,000 bonus for those making over $65,000 a year. Teachers and certified staff will see their new salary schedule increase to $4,800 to $5,900 a month based on experience, with an average 8% state raise and a $500 to $1,000 bonus in October. Principals and administrators will earn state-approved step increases, with principal bonuses tied to statewide Education Value-Added Assessment System student growth rankings and a 5% increase for top district administrators. Personally, I think the raises are a step in the right direction, but the DAE's criticism highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing the needs of educators and the district's financial constraints. The district's approval of the salary schedules, despite the DAE's pushback, demonstrates the importance of finding a balance between meeting the demands of workers and maintaining fiscal responsibility. The DAE's criticism serves as a reminder that the relationship between the district and its workers is complex and requires ongoing dialogue and compromise. In my opinion, the district's decision to approve the salary schedules is a necessary step towards improving the compensation of its classified staff. However, the DAE's pushback highlights the need for continued dialogue and collaboration between the district and its workers to ensure that the needs of both parties are met. The raises are a win for the classified staff, but the DAE's criticism serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done to address the concerns of educators and staff in Durham.
