DPS Board of Education Approves Updated 2024-25 Compensation Schedules

DURHAM, NC – During a special session on Thursday, September 19, the Durham Public Schools (DPS) Board of Education unanimously approved updated 2024-25 compensation schedules for new hires and current employees. Eyrie Success Inc. developed the schedules under the leadership of CEO Raushawna Price. 

“We are committed to compensating our employees at the most favorable rates possible and appreciate our Board of County Commissioners for its long-standing partnership and support of our efforts to recruit and retain excellence,” said Millicent Rogers, DPS Board Chair.

DPS Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis added, “I’m appreciative that our Board stands in alliance to ensure that our Durham Public Schools personnel are compensated justly for their contributions to our students daily.”

Key Highlights of the New Compensation Schedules:

• No Decrease in Pay: No current employee will receive a decrease in pay.
• Salary Adjustments: Salaries for current DPS classified employees will match the pay rate communicated in the Salary Projection Tool shared in SPARKmail on June 13, 2024. This means current employee salaries may not align with the rates in the new schedules.
• State Legislated Increase: All employees will receive the state-legislated 3 percent salary increase.
• Commitment to Employees: DPS will honor its commitment to employees by ensuring that paychecks reflect the projections shared earlier in the year.
• Alignment with State Guidelines: The new schedules are aligned with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s salary scales and fall within the state’s recommended salary ranges for positions.
• Transportation Professionals: Pay rates for transportation employees, which were increased in 2021, will include the additional 3 percent raise.

“Having the veil removed from salaries is the model,” Price stated, emphasizing that the goal is to provide transparency and certainty for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.

Additional Board Decisions:

• Master’s Pay Model: The board unanimously approved the creation of a master’s pay model for certified and classified employees. Pending board approval, it will be implemented in the next school year.
• Retaining and Reclassifying Raises: Current classified employees will keep their 11 percent raises, receive this year’s 3 percent raise, and be reclassified if necessary.
• Supplementary Pay: The board approved an additional $80 monthly supplement for speech-language pathologists, psychologists, audiologists, nurses, school counselors, and instructional support personnel.
• Increased Pay for Specialized Staff: Regular Exceptional Children (EC) and English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers will receive a $200 monthly increase. EC specialized program teachers will receive a total of $350 per month. EC classified staff specializing in sign language, deaf/hard of hearing, visually impaired, and spoken language will receive an additional $200 per month.
• Most Favorable Schedule Placement: Any existing employee not covered by a previous schedule will be placed on the most favorable schedule for the 2024-25 school year.

These decisions reflect DPS’s ongoing commitment to fairly compensating its employees while maintaining transparency and alignment with state guidelines.