PTA/PTO Leaders’ Budget Meeting
March 9, 2010
Interim Superintendent Hank Hurd and Board of Education Chair Minnie Forte-Brown met with Durham Public Schools parents who are PTA/PTO leaders on March 9. At that session, Hurd used the 2010-11 Budget Presentation to walk through what he calls “unprecedented cuts.” DPS faces what could be as high as $20 million in state and local budget cuts.
As principals have asked for input from teachers and other staff at the school level, there are more and more questions from parents about the budget. The meeting was held to provide parent leaders with the facts about the 2010-11 budget outlook. Forte-Brown reassured the parents that the Board of Education is committed to doing what is right for children and that all decisions will be based on that commitment.
Also speaking at the meeting were Trilby McClammy, President of the DPS PTA Council, and Kristy Moore, Durham Association of Educators President.
Hurd noted the fact that potential state cuts of a minimum of $7.5 million and potentially $12.2 million, combined with $3 million in local funds for continuation needs and a potential 3 percent reduction by the county could mean as much as an $18 to $20 million reduction. These cuts are in addition to the budget cuts of more than $30 million in 2009-10, which resulted in the elimination of 298 positions.
Interim Superintendent Hurd told parents that DPS already is looking at reducing testing and many other efficiencies to save every dollar possible to benefit teaching and learning.
