Durham Public Schools takes step toward giving educators union a voice at the table

Durham Public Schools employees may get a seat at the table with the school board later this year after the unfolding salary crisis prompted union membership to skyrocket.

The Durham Association of Educators persuaded the school board Thursday to establish a temporary committee to consider how to give the organization more of a voice.

Board of Education Chair Bettina Umstead called it “a historic moment.”

Because it is against North Carolina law for unions of public-sector employees — like the dues-paying workers in the Durham Association of Educators — to collectively bargain, the DAE is instead asking for an advisory council.

The proposed “Meet and Confer Team” would include DAE members, school board members and key administrators. They would have regularly scheduled meetings to talk about issues and vote on recommendations for the Board of Education, especially on budget matters.

Thursday’s meeting comes as thousands of employees have protested over the handling of their paychecks. At least 1,300 classified staff members were promised raises last year, but the raises were withdrawn after accounting errors totaling at least $9 million were discovered.

The situation has resulted in protests shutting down schools and the resignations of Superintendent Pascal Mubenga and the budget director.

The employees are being paid through February at the salary they were promised in the fall, but their pay for the rest of the academic year hasn’t been determined yet. That was not on the agenda for Thursday’s meeting, which was moderated by former Durham Mayor Steve Schewel. He previously served on the school board.

Details of joint committee

Before the “Meet and Confer Team” is established, everyone involved has to hash out the details, including whether to give non-union members a seat.

The protesting transportation workers who shut down schools Feb. 9 and 12 are not represented by DAE. They were scheduled to speak during Thursday night’s meeting, but walked out beforehand.

“It doesn’t feel right to exclude folks that are not DAE right now,” Umstead said.

But DAE president Symone Kiddoo disagreed.

“I think there’s a balance of an organization’s that is representing 2.000, 3,000, 4,000 employees in this district, versus 50,” Kiddoo said.

The school board ultimately voted that Umstead will make appointments on Feb. 22 for a committee that will workshop policies that would govern the “Meet and Confer Team.”

The committee will be composed of:

• 2 Board of Education members

• 2 DPS administrators

• 4 DAE members

• 4 other employees

Board member Emily Chávez was the lone dissenting vote. She hoped to see more union representation on the committee.

“I do think we should have a majority DAE or all DAE membership,” Chávez said. “They brought the policy to us.”

During the same Feb. 22 meeting, the school board is expected to decide on salaries for March, and possibly the remainder of the school year.

That meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at 2107 Hillandale Road.