Durham Schools Face Staff Protests and Closures Amid Wage Dispute

Durham Association of Educators announced a "Day of Protest" on Monday, leading to the closure of seven schools in Durham County. The protest is in response to the Durham Board of Education's postponement of discussions regarding payment issues for classified staff. The organization is advocating for fair compensation for classified staff, who have experienced unexpected alterations to their pay structure. The protests are a plea for the board's leadership to align with the needs of educators, with community support evident. The board is weighing two options for staff salary adjustments, and there are ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability regarding the budget discrepancies.