Message from Interim Superintendent Hank Hurd
June 22, 2010
As I have noted in this space before, public schools are facing the most challenging times I have ever seen. But in Durham there is an overwhelming level of community support for schools unlike I have experienced anywhere.
The most recent evidence of Durham’s great support is also one of the proudest moments of my career. In a true spirit of compromise, County Manager Mike Ruffin and I crafted a Memorandum of Understanding between the Durham County Commissioners and Durham Public Schools that will save teacher jobs in the 2010-11 budget year.
Pending legislative approval, DPS will be allowed to redirect $6 million in lottery funds. One third of this amount will be applied to county debt service, with the remaining $4 million applied to teacher salaries. What an enormous show of support from our county leaders, one for which we truly are grateful!
The struggle for future funding is far from over. It will take the ongoing commitment of our schools, our parents and our community and business leaders to ensure that we receive adequate funding to provide the best instructional experiences for our students possible. It is not too late to contact legislators as they enter what are expected to be the final days of the budget development at the state level. We need their continued support in order to keep the lottery funds.
As I prepare to retire, it has been a pleasure to serve the students, teachers, principals and Central Services professionals of Durham Public Schools over these last eight years. It has been an honor to work with so many caring and supportive business representatives and community leaders. My deepest and heartfelt gratitude to you all. I will miss you and think of you often.
May 25, 2010
The Board of Education met jointly with the Durham County Commissioners this morning to discuss the Board’s proposal to the Commissioners. Once again, our strong relationship with the Commissioners and County Manager Mike Ruffin has resulted in a wonderfully positive step forward. Board Chairperson Minnie Forte-Brown said she was “truly encouraged” by the meeting.
County Manager Ruffin’s proposal to the Commissioners recommends allotting $6.1 million to help restore 111 of the 237 teaching positions we have had to cut for the 2010-11 school year. This is a tremendous gesture on Mr. Ruffin’s part, to at least meet the Board halfway in their desire to save as many teaching positions as possible.
We are very grateful to Mr. Ruffin for this proposal, and we are hopeful that the Commissioners will accept it. We also now turn our eyes toward our state legislators who will be making decisions that might help to restore many if not all of the remaining 126 teaching positions.
As State Superintendent June Atkinson stated in a news conference on May 24, we must call on our legislators to “fund schools first.” And as Commissioners Vice-Chair Ellen Reckhow stated recently, “We need an all-hands-on-deck” approach.
All hands on deck. A village. A community. It takes us all to ensure that we have good teachers in place and that they have the resources to do their jobs. The County Manager’s proposed budget, our continued positive relationship, the recent support we have seen at community meetings and budget hearings – all are clear indicators that this community cares deeply about its children, its schools and its future. We must continue to advocate for teacher positions, and we will do so!
May 18, 2010
The Board of Education has approved a budget for the 2010-11 school year that places student achievement and retaining as many teachers as possible as the top priorities. This comes in an unprecedented financial crisis for our district and districts all across the state and country.
The Board wrestled with the dollar amount to request of the Commissioners and voted to ask the County for $13 million, all to save teacher positions.
The budget proposal will be presented to the Durham County Commissioners on Tuesday, May 25 in a joint session with the Board of Education. We greatly appreciate the support the Commissioners have shown historically for Durham Public Schools. These are extraordinary times, and we fully appreciate the tough decisions that they must make.
While the county budget discussion is taking place, the Senate is expected to release the first run at the state budget in the next few days. We continue to ask our state legislators to protect public schools as much as possible from the state cuts.
Please continue to visit this Website to keep updated on our progress. And feel free to send comments and questions so that we can keep the lines of communication open.
April 30, 2010
At the regular meeting on April 29, I presented to the Board of Education what is probably the most challenging budget to come before any school board since DPS’ inception in 1992.
We appreciate your support throughout this difficult time. We also appreciate your input as we have had to face some of the toughest decisions that I know I have dealt with in my entire career.
There has been much discussion about the budget cuts that we are proposing and how we came about making the recommendations that are being considered by the board. It is impossible to put forth a proposal that everyone will like, but this represents thoughtful consideration among principals, teachers, parents and the community, along with DPS officials and board members.
There are still opportunities for the public to comment on the budget. On Thursday, May 6, there will be a public hearing at 6:30 pm specifically so the Board can hear your thoughts on the budget. The Board also will hold a meeting on May 13 to approve the budget. The budget the Board is considering is one that is approximately $20 million lower than last year’s already lean budget. With all the reductions that must be made, we feel certain that this document keeps student achievement at the top of the priority list.
On April 28 we announced that Dr. Eric J. Becoats is the new Superintendent of Durham Public Schools, effective July 1. Dr. Becoats has a strong background in school finance in Guilford County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and we know that he will do a wonderful job in working with our schools and the community in implementing the budget ultimately approved by the commissioners.
I encourage you to continue to visit this site for the latest updates on the 2010-11 budget, and as always, we continue to welcome your comments.
March 26, 2010
As we make our way through the budget process, we are overwhelmed and heartened by the show of interest and meaningful engagement among our staff, parents and community supporters.
Nearly 500 of you turned out for a public hearing on March 23 to address the Durham County Commissioners about concerns regarding the 2010-11 budget. Teachers, principals and parents all spoke passionately and eloquently on behalf of the children of Durham Public Schools.
We are still working diligently to figure out where more than $20 million in budget cuts will come from. We are very grateful to our County Commissioners and County Manager Mike Ruffin for their great support over the years, and we maintain a respectful and productive process in working with them to help make decisions for 2010-11.
In the Board of Education’s March 25 meeting, Dr. Terri Mozingo and I, along with two of our principals, presented an overview of possible budget reductions that will be presented in my proposal to the Board on April 29. The ensuing discussion provided us with thoughtful direction on how to proceed in crafting this proposal.
We are quite fortunate to have such a committed and discerning Board of Education. Our Board members are intent on making the best possible decisions given the nearly impossible situation with which they are faced.
Your support and interest in this arduous process has never been more appreciated than it is this year. Thank you for visiting this Website, and for your ongoing involvement with our schools.
March 2, 2010
The 2010-11 school year poses the most significant financial challenges for public educators in decades. In 34 years in public education I have not witnessed the level of difficulty we face in planning the budget for the coming year.
The decisions we must make will be hard ones that must incorporate good information and thorough analysis. Likewise, critical to the budget planning process is ensuring that our parents and community partners receive as much up-to-date information as possible so that they can provide informed and thoughtful input for DPS officials to consider.
Reduction estimates for the 2010-11 budget are as high as $20 million in state and local funds. With these kinds of cuts, it is more important than ever that members of the public be informed.
That is why we have developed this Website. I encourage you to check it frequently, as we will use it to communicate with you our work and how you can help.
This site will include a budget process time line; recommendations for spending priorities and budget reductions from principals and Central Services professionals; recommendations from the DPS Budget Advisory Committee, which comprises teachers, parents and community members; and a Budget Q&A through which you can submit your own questions.
In the meantime, I encourage you to get ever more involved with your school to find out how you can help during this budget crisis. Thank you for everything you do in support of our schools.
