The world seems to be falling apart and so does Durham Public Schools (DPS). An unprecedented financial error occurred when about 1300 DPS classified workers were promised raises, received them, but faced the possibility of having to pay the money back. Since then, classified staff, supported by the organizing power of the local teachers’ union, Durham Association of Educators (DAE), have been protesting to:
- Commit to keep February paychecks whole;
- Provide a public explanation of why January checks did not match December checks as workers anticipated;
- Schedule a Meet and Confer work session with DAE for no later than the week of February 12th.
Durham Public Schools Board of Education has agreed to use over $4 million from its fund balance to cover the cost of the payments through January, so that employees will not have to pay back money to the district. However, there isn't a clear resolution for moving forward.
This is the most unfortunate administrative debacle we’ve seen in our 20 years of being connected to DPS. We feel for everyone impacted from the classified workers, to the district leaders, the families, and our students. Hands down, the school district and the Board messed up. Together, they should find the money to pay the classified staff their promised salaries through the end of this fiscal year. And then restore the steps to a system that honors the work of employees. Period.
In addition to all that is going on, we've been hearing rumblings for terminating Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga’s contract. We do not support any calls to fire Dr. Mubenga. District leadership definitely created chaos; there’s no defending this. But we believe this is an opportunity to model for others and live out the values introduced by one of DPS’ Task Forces: the implementation of restorative justice.
We should not throw Dr. Mubenga away, which is what firing him would do. He has a demonstrated record of being a highly competent and effective leader in our district. As a reminder, the implementation of raises was the district’s attempt to pay people what they deserve, in the midst of the state withholding funding. Typically in these situations, people are ready to get rid of folks. We often hear, “If it was me, I would have been fired.” Possibly true. But that behavior is very much rooted in white supremacy and patriarchy. Restorative justice, however, is a counternarrative to what we’ve been conditioned to expect.
This colossal mistake under Dr. Mubenga’s leadership should not define him and what he has meant to the district for the last 7 years. Under his leadership DPS’s ranking in the state for Black and Latinx student achievement has risen significantly with Black student achievement in Durham now surpassing Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Wake, Orange, and many other school systems. Additionally, the number and percentage of Black students facing short term suspension has decreased, and there has been an increase in the use of restorative practices. He has contributed to a culture that allows Black and Brown children to stay in school and learn.
Dr. Mubenga should be given the opportunity to repair any harm and be restored to the community. Extending grace, especially to Black leaders, is not welcomed by whiteness, and Durham can disrupt that narrative. What does it look like to hold Black leaders accountable in Durham? How can we have accountability without throwing people away? Where is our willingness to give Black leadership (especially with a proven record of effectiveness) the opportunity to rectify mistakes?
We always hear the phrase, “Do it like Durham!” If we truly want to exist as a progressive city, this is the type of movement we need to make. This could be a historical moment where Durham doesn’t align with the national pattern of throwing Black leaders to the side, but defies the norm and allows Dr. Mubenga to make things right.
~Drs. Ronda Taylor & Kelvin Bullock
Comments
Post a Comment