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The Durham County budget provides a nearly $27 million increase in local funding to Durham Public Schools, paid for with a county property tax increase and federal funds.

The school board has requested a $27.4 million increase in local school funding, up nearly 15 percent from last year, to raise pay for teachers and staff. The Durham county manager's budget proposal includes a 3.25 cent property tax rate increase and falls about $14 million short of what the school board is asking.

North Carolina public schools are becoming more segregated by race, even as the overall student population is becoming more racially diverse. This trend comes as students of color now make up the majority of public school students.

If their federal application is accepted, Durham Public Schools would provide free breakfast and lunch for all students, regardless of their family income or school, beginning next school year.Federal guidelines now allow more districts to apply for universal free meals, but it comes with trade-offs.

The Crown Act is an effort to prevent discrimination nationwide against natural hair styles and texture like dreadlocks and afros.

Durham Public Schools will reduce raises given to some staff. In its place, all classified staff – nearly 1,900 employees – will get an 11% raise.

At a press conference Wednesday, Durham Public Schools' new interim superintendent Catty Moore said that students could be forced to make up days if the district's workers stage another walkout.

In its Thursday night board meeting, the Durham Public Schools’ board of education voted to maintain staff pay through February, tabled a decision on long-term pay, and appointed a new interim superintendent. Meanwhile, staff walk outs are closing all schools across the district on Friday.

Durham Public Schools' superintendent Pascal Mubenga resigned after it was found that the school district implemented raises for staff that were $9 million over budget due to miscommunication in his administration.

The Durham Association of Educators announced a second "day of protest" for Monday, Feb 5. A majority of educators at seven schools plan to take leave to call for the school board to maintain recent staff raises through February.