"Durham Public Schools Grapple with Staffing Shortages and Protests, 11 Schools Closed"

Eleven Durham public schools will be closed due to mass staff absences as school employees protest recent cuts to raises for classified staff. The Durham Association of Educators plans to rally at the Durham Public Schools’ staff development center to demand the district honor their years of service while staying within budget. The pay dispute arose after the district announced it would revoke recent raises for about 1,300 classified staff, leading to protests and demands for transparency and commitment from the school board. The district's inconsistent communication on how it would honor years of state service has further fueled the controversy.