#DPSCommunity | DPS Board of Education Monthly Meeting | 6/25/26

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education held its monthly meeting on June 25, 2026, focusing on several key procurement and budget-related topics. The board approved a second amendment to the superintendent's contract following a positive evaluation of Dr. Lewis's leadership. A significant agenda item was the presentation and approval to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a comprehensive districtwide right-sizing consolidation study. This study aims to analyze enrollment trends, facility conditions, and financial impacts to support future decisions on district facility footprint optimization. The board discussed the scope, deliverables, and community engagement plans for the RFP, emphasizing the importance of incorporating equity goals and clear reporting. Additionally, the board received a budget update highlighting ongoing challenges due to the pending state budget, with local support helping to maintain operations and planned salary adjustments, including proposed changes to substitute teacher pay methodology and rates. The board approved moving forward with changing substitute pay from a daily to an hourly rate, with plans to revisit pay increases in coordination with classified staff salaries once the state budget is finalized. The meeting also included presentations on strategic plan progress and the beginning teacher support program, emphasizing teacher retention and instructional quality. Finally, the board engaged in extensive discussion on a meet and confer grievance policy, deciding to direct staff and legal counsel to collaborate with employee representatives to produce a cleaner draft for future consideration. No final policy decisions were made during this meeting. Overall, the meeting addressed important procurement activities related to facility planning and compensation adjustments, alongside strategic educational initiatives and policy development processes.