Durham Public Schools, North Carolina

Durham Public Schools
Durham County, North Carolina
District details
Superintendent: Anthony Lewis
# of school board members: 7
Website: Link

Durham Public Schools is a school district in North Carolina.

Click on the links below to learn more about the school district's...

• Superintendent
• School board
• Elections
• Budget
• Teacher salaries
• Academic performance
• Students
• Staff
• Schools
• Contact information

Superintendent

This information is updated as we become aware of changes. Please contact us with any updates.

Anthony Lewis is the superintendent of Durham Public Schools. He assumed the role in July 2024. Lewis' previous experience includes working as a special education teacher, principal, and superintendent.

School board

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education consists of seven members elected to four-year terms. One member is elected at large, four are elected from specific districts, and two are elected from consolidated districts.

Office	Name	Date assumed office
Durham Public Schools school board At-large	Joy Harrell Goff	July 1, 2024
Durham Public Schools school board District 1	Emily S. Chavez	July 1, 2022
Durham Public Schools school board District 2	Bettina Umstead	2018
Durham Public Schools school board District 3	Jessica Carda-Auten	2023
Durham Public Schools school board District 4	Natalie Beyer	2010
Durham Public Schools school board District A	Wendell Tabb	July 1, 2024
Durham Public Schools school board District B	Millicent Rogers	July 1, 2022

Elections

See also: Durham Public Schools, North Carolina, elections

Members of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education are elected to four-year terms. Elections are held every two years.

Three seats on the on the board were up for general election and one seat was up for special election on March 5, 2024.

Ballotpedia covered school board elections in 367 school districts in 29 states in 2024. Those school districts had a total student enrollment of 12,203,404 students. Click here to read an analysis of those elections.

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Public participation in board meetings

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education maintains the following policy on public testimony during board meetings:

“

Board meetings are conducted for the purpose of carrying on the official business of the school system. The public is cordially invited to attend board meetings to observe the board as it conducts its official business. The board of education, as an elected representative body of the school system, also wishes to provide a forum for citizens to express interests and concerns related to the school system. In order that the board may conduct an orderly meeting while providing an opportunity for input, individuals or groups may be heard by the board in accordance with this policy or subsection D.2 of policy 2300, Board Meetings, which addresses public hearings. A. Requests to Place Item on the Agenda In order that the board may fairly and adequately discharge its overall responsibility, citizens desiring an item to be placed on the agenda for a specific board meeting should direct written requests to the superintendent at least ten working days prior to the meeting. The request should include: (1) the name and address of the person or persons making the request; (2) the organization or group, if any, represented; and (3) a brief explanation of the nature of the item with background information sufficient for the superintendent to provide a reasonable understanding of the matter to members of the board. Questions and/or materials to be presented to the board are to be submitted along with the request. The superintendent shall confer with the chair and vice-chair of the board concerning whether to approve placing the requested item on the agenda and to determine the appropriate meeting for such discussion. To be included on the agenda, an item must be approved by at least two of those persons. The superintendent shall notify the requesting party of the response to the request. The superintendent shall explain any other processes available for addressing the concerns. (See also section C, Reports of Complaints, below.) At the meeting, the board may, by majority vote and notwithstanding prior denial, add an item to the agenda. B. Comment on Agenda Items and General Public Comment Citizens may sign up to speak on agenda items of the board's action meetings. Citizens must sign up with the board clerk prior to the consideration of the agenda item on which they wish to comment. Citizens may sign up for a maximum of two agenda items per meeting. Citizens shall address the board in the order of items on the agenda. The board chair shall grant one to three minutes per person per item, depending on the number of citizens wishing to address the board. A citizen who has signed up to address the board may yield his or her time to another speaker. A citizen may accept two yields per meeting. If a group of more than four persons is signed up to present a concern, the group may choose one of its members to speak on the group's behalf. The presentation must not exceed six minutes. Prior to the meeting, any citizen may request that a board member pull an item from the consent agenda. Only board members may pull consent agenda items. Discussion on all pulled consent agenda items will be at the end of the consent agenda or business agenda section of the meeting, at the discretion of the board chair. Citizens may address the board about non-agenda items during the 30-minute period set aside for this purpose at the beginning of the regular action meeting. Citizens must sign up with the board clerk prior to the beginning of the board meeting. The board chair shall grant one to three minutes to speak per person, depending on the number of citizens wishing to address the board. A citizen who has signed up to address the board about a non-agenda item may yield his or her time to another speaker as described above. Citizen participation in the non-agenda public comment will not count towards the speaking limit of two agenda items per person per meeting. Board members will not respond to individuals who address the board except to request clarification of points made by the presenter. Citizens' comments from action meetings of the board will be (1) accepted as opinion, (2) referred to an administrator for investigation to be reported back to the citizen and board to the extent permitted by law, (3) referred to the board chair, vice-chair, and superintendent for agenda planning, or (4) referred to a board committee. When the board chair refers an issue of public concern to an administrator for investigation, the superintendent or administrator shall respond in one of three ways within five working days: (1) provide an answer to the citizen about the issue; (2) provide an estimated time frame that the administration feels will be necessary to investigate and provide an answer to the citizen; or (3) indicate that the administration will not be able to provide the answer with reasonable effort. Except in cases of emergency, information received during presentations will not be acted upon at the time it is received. It will take unanimous vote of the board members present to take action on a presentation considered to be of an unusual or emergency nature at the time it is presented. Disruptions by any person or persons of a public meeting will be subject to action in accordance with G.S. 143-318.17. C. Reports of Complaints Complaints about the performance of school personnel, implementation of board policy, the quality of the educational program, or school facilities should be submitted initially for a response to the school system official responsible for the program or facility or to the superintendent. The superintendent or designee shall make available this policy and other relevant grievance procedures to any individual or group submitting a complaint. The policies and laws of the State of North Carolina, as well as the policies of the Board, provide that matters concerning the job competence and performance of individual school system employees are confidential. For this reason, and to ensure that Board meetings are conducted in an orderly and fair manner, the Board will not entertain public discussion about specifically named school system employees during the open session of Board meetings. The proper manner for raising concerns about a specific employee is to submit comments in writing to the Superintendent or to use the grievance procedures that have been established by the Board. The Board recognizes that the Superintendent is in a different position than other employees. As the chief executive officer, the Superintendent must expect to be the focal point of comments and criticisms about the overall performance of the school system and its employees, and such comments will be allowed during the open session of Board meetings. However, the proper manner for raising claims of misconduct or impropriety by the Superintendent that could be the basis of disciplinary action is through the grievance procedures that have been established by the Board.

”

District map

School district map

Budget

The following statistics were published by the National Center for Education Statistics, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Education.

• Revenue
• Expenditures

Revenue, 2021-2022

SOURCE	AMOUNT	AMOUNT PER STUDENT	PERCENT
Federal:	$102,499,000	$3,228	20%
Local:	$180,824,000	$5,695	34%
State:	$241,327,000	$7,600	46%
Total:	$524,650,000	$16,522

Expenditures, 2021-2022

TYPE	AMOUNT	AMOUNT PER STUDENT	PERCENT
Total Expenditures:	$556,459,000	$17,524
Total Current Expenditures:	$474,305,000	$14,936
Instructional Expenditures:	$296,011,000	$9,322	53%
Student and Staff Support:	$43,140,000	$1,358	8%
Administration:	$53,747,000	$1,692	10%
Operations, Food Service, Other:	$81,407,000	$2,563	15%
Total Capital Outlay:	$70,181,000	$2,210
Construction:	$68,411,000	$2,154
Total Non El-Sec Education & Other:	$4,572,000	$143
Interest on Debt:	$5,360,000	$168

Teacher salaries

The following salary information was pulled from the district's teacher salary schedule. A salary schedule is a list of expected compensations based on variables such as position, years employed, and education level. It may not reflect actual teacher salaries in the district.

Year	Minimum	Maximum
2022-2023	$43,450	$82,025
2020-2021	$40,425	$78,415

Academic performance

Each year, state and local education agencies use tests and other standards to assess student proficiency. Although the data below was published by the U.S. Department of Education, proficiency measurements are established by the states. As a result, proficiency levels are not comparable between different states and year-over-year proficiency levels within a district may not be comparable because states may change their proficiency measurements.

• Mathematics
• Reading/language arts
• Graduation rates

The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:

School year	All (%)	Asian/Pacific Islander (%)	Black (%)	Hispanic (%)	Native American (%)	Two or More Races (%)	White (%)
2020-2021	29	55-59	19	18	40-59	42	64
2018-2019	32	65	21	25	20-29	45	67
2017-2018	33	53	22	28	30-39	42	63
2016-2017	35	67	24	28	30-39	46	72
2015-2016	33	63	22	27	40-49	45	68
2014-2015	32	64	21	26	20-29	44	66
2013-2014	30	63	19	24	30-39	45	63
2012-2013	29	61	19	24	30-39	41	60
2011-2012	74	90	67	73	70-79	83	92
2010-2011	71	91	63	70	70-79	76	90

The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:

School year	All (%)	Asian/Pacific Islander (%)	Black (%)	Hispanic (%)	Native American (%)	Two or More Races (%)	White (%)
2020-2021	39	60-64	30	26	40-59	56	74
2018-2019	37	64	28	26	30-39	55	74
2017-2018	36	60	27	25	20-29	52	72
2016-2017	36	58	26	25	30-39	51	73
2015-2016	35	60	25	23	40-49	48	71
2014-2015	35	56	27	23	35-39	50	71
2013-2014	35	59	26	23	40-49	51	69
2012-2013	35	60	26	24	40-49	50	70
2011-2012	61	79	55	51	60-69	73	86
2010-2011	56	82	48	47	60-69	69	83

The following table shows the graduation rate of district students each school year:

School year	All (%)	Asian/Pacific Islander (%)	Black (%)	Hispanic (%)	Native American (%)	Two or More Races (%)	White (%)
2019-2020	84	>=90	86	73	>=50	85-89	92
2018-2019	83	>=95	82	77	>=50	80-84	94
2017-2018	81	90-94	83	71	>=50	80-84	91
2016-2017	81	90-94	82	71	>=50	80-89	92
2015-2016	82	>=90	82	77	>=50	75-79	89
2014-2015	81	>=90	80	72	>=50	80-84	90
2013-2014	82	>=90	79	72	>=50	85-89	93
2012-2013	80	80-89	78	67	>=50	85-89	90
2011-2012	77	80-89	74	64	PS	70-79	91
2010-2011	74	80-89	69	60-64	>=50	75-79	90

Students

• Enrollment
• Demographics

Year	Enrollment	Year-to-year change (%)
2023-2024	31,339	-0.6
2022-2023	31,531	-0.7
2021-2022	31,754	-0.8
2020-2021	32,005	-4.5
2019-2020	33,435	1.6
2018-2019	32,913	-1.8
2017-2018	33,520	-0.4
2016-2017	33,643	-1.1
2015-2016	34,023	-0.4
2014-2015	34,172	2.4
2013-2014	33,349	0.8
2012-2013	33,079	-0.5
2011-2012	33,256	2.3
2010-2011	32,479	0.0
2009-2010	32,470	-1.3
2008-2009	32,900	1.3
2007-2008	32,473	3.7
2006-2007	31,260	-1.5
2005-2006	31,719	2.4
2004-2005	30,955	0.2
2003-2004	30,889	0.3
2002-2003	30,794	0.7
2001-2002	30,574	2.8
2000-2001	29,728	1.6
1999-2000	29,244	0.0

Racial Demographics, 2023-2024

RACE	Durham Public Schools (%)	North Carolina K-12 STUDENTS (%)
American Indian/Alaska Native	0.1	1.0
Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander	2.1	4.2
Black	37.2	24.5
Hispanic	35.0	21.2
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	0.1	0.1
Two or More Races	6.0	6.0
White	19.6	43.0

Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Staff

• Teachers
• Administrators
• Other staff

As of the 2023-2024 school year, Durham Public Schools had 2,362.74 full-time classroom teachers. The student-teacher ratio was 13.26.

Teachers, 2023-2024 school year

TYPE	NUMBER OF TEACHERS
Prekindergarten:	64.78
Kindergarten:	168.04
Elementary:	1,426.10
Secondary:	692.77
Total:	2,362.74

Durham Public Schools employed 50.00 district administrators and 157.98 school administrators as of the 2023-2024 school year.

Administrators, 2023-2024 school year

TYPE	NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATORS
District Administrators:	50.00
District Administrative Support:	161.42
School Administrators:	157.98
School Administrative Support:	180.13

Other staff, 2023-2024 school year

TYPE	NUMBER OF OTHER STAFF
Instructional Aides:	514.09
Instruc. Coordinators & Supervisors:	42.00
Total Guidance Counselors:	108.30
Elementary Guidance Counselors:	47.04
Secondary Guidance Counselors:	60.00
Librarians/Media Specialists:	50.00
Library/Media Support:	0.00
Student Support Services:	411.63
Other Support Services:	841.73

Schools

Durham Public Schools operates 57 schools. They are listed below in alphabetical order.

List of schools

SCHOOL NAME	NUMBER OF STUDENTS	GRADES
Bethesda Elementary	577	KG-5
Brogden Middle	693	6-8
Burton Elementary	294	PK-5
C C Spaulding Elementary	223	PK-5
C E Jordan High	2,068	9-12
City Of Medicine Academy	336	9-12
Club Boulevard Elementary	380	KG-5
Creekside Elementary	551	PK-5
Dps Hospital School	0	PK-12
Durham School Of Technology	239	9-12
Durham School Of The Arts	1,767	6-12
Durham'S Performance Learning Center	122	9-12
Easley Elementary	478	KG-5
Eastway Elementary	393	PK-5
E K Powe Elementary	409	PK-5
Eno Valley Elementary	533	PK-5
Fayetteville Street Elementary	239	PK-5
Forest View Elementary	650	PK-5
George L Carrington Middle	738	6-8
George Watts Elementary	309	PK-5
Glenn Elementary	570	KG-5
Hillandale Elementary	529	PK-5
Hillside High	1,454	9-12
Holt Elementary	618	PK-5
Holton Career And Resource Center	0	9-12
Hope Valley Elementary	626	KG-5
Ignite Online Academy	369	KG-12
James E Shepard Middle	400	6-8
J D Clement Early College Hs	386	9-12
Lakeview School	70	6-12
Lakewood Elementary	401	PK-5
Lakewood Montessori Middle	303	6-8
Little River K-8 School	308	PK-8
Lowe'S Grove Middle	624	6-8
Lucas Middle	413	6-8
Lyons Farm Elementary	523	PK-5
Mangum Elementary	296	PK-5
Merrick-Moore Elementary	535	KG-5
Middle College Hs @ Dtcc	134	11-12
Morehead Montessori	226	PK-5
Murray-Massenburg Elementary School	0
Neal Middle	770	6-8
Northern High	1,334	9-12
Oak Grove Elementary	448	PK-5
Parkwood Elementary	576	PK-5
Pearsontown Elementary	740	PK-5
Riverside High	1,851	9-12
R N Harris Elementary	301	PK-5
Rogers-Herr Middle	631	6-8
Sandy Ridge Elementary	477	PK-5
Sherwood Githens Middle	811	6-8
Southern School Of Energy And Sustainabi	1,352	9-12
Southwest Elementary	669	PK-5
Spring Valley Elementary	544	PK-5
The School For Creative Studies	438	6-12
W G Pearson Elementary	348	PK-5
Y E Smith Elementary	265	PK-5

Noteworthy events

2013-2016: School district joined teacher tenure lawsuit

In 2013, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law eliminating teacher tenure by 2018. The Durham Public Schools Board of Education sued the state over the law. In 2016, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the law was unconstitutional.

2013: Superintendent Eric Becoats resignation

In December 2013, Superintendent Eric Becoats submitted his resignation. During his tenure, Becoats was reprimanded by the school board for hiring a district school activity bus and driver to transport his friends and family to private events. Also, the school board audited Becoats' use and management of more than $20,000 of district funds. The school board voted in favor of accepting Becoats' resignation, effective December 31, 2013.

Contact information

Durham Public Schools
511 Cleveland St.
PO Box 30002
Durham, NC 27702
Phone: 919-560-2000

About school boards

Education legislation in North Carolina

Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history.

See also

North Carolina	School Board Elections	News and Analysis
List of school districts in North Carolina School board elections in North Carolina Public education in North Carolina	School board elections, 2025 North Carolina school board elections, 2025	School board election data analysis, 2024 United States school shootings, 1990-present

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• Durham Public Schools
• North Carolina School Boards Association
• North Carolina State Board of Education