A proposed policy that would formalize how Durham Public Schools employees communicate with district leadership has gained momentum, with three members of the Board of Education publicly endorsing a draft submitted by the Durham Association of Educators. The support brings the proposal within one vote of potential adoption.
Known as a “meet-and-confer” policy, the measure would establish a structured process for district administrators to engage in dialogue with employee representative organizations, such as unions. While both the DAE and DPS administration agree that workers should have a voice in decision-making, they differ on how that voice should be implemented.
A Divided Vision
The DAE’s March 7 draft calls for elected representatives from recognized employee organizations (such as DAE itself) to participate directly in policy conversations with administrators. The union has framed the measure as essential for democratic workplace governance and a tool to improve student outcomes through improved working conditions.
“Meet and confer creates a structured, transparent, and accountable way for administration and management to collaborate with an ERO,” board member Emily Chávez said in a statement endorsing the proposal. She was joined by board members Joy Harrell Goff and Jessica Carda Auten, all of whom praised the union-led model and its potential to stabilize staffing and enhance classroom environments.
Auten, a former classroom teacher, said the policy would restore trust between staff and leadership. “It’s time for our public school union to have a real seat at the table here in Durham Public Schools,” she said.
Superintendent Seeks Broader Inclusion
Durham Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Lewis issued a detailed statement in response, expressing support for the concept of meet-and-confer but warning against limiting the process to union-affiliated employees. He advocated for a policy that includes all district workers, regardless of organizational membership.
“Worker voice in district decision-making is non-negotiable,” Lewis said. “A policy that ensures our employees have a seat at the table is not only a good idea—it is essential.”
Lewis emphasized that his administration’s approach is not a form of collective bargaining, which is prohibited under North Carolina law. Instead, he described his preferred model as an inclusive process that fosters “true collaboration” among all employees, including those not represented by unions.
“Our goal – which differs from DAE – is to adopt a policy that serves the entire Durham Public Schools employee community in the most inclusive and effective way possible,” he said.
What Comes Next
The board has not yet scheduled a formal vote on the policy, but with three members already in support, the decision may rest with one of the remaining four members. The timeline for finalizing the policy remains uncertain, though Lewis indicated that he had proposed new meeting dates to DAE leadership and welcomed further negotiation.
The debate comes during a challenging year for DPS, which has faced budget shortfalls, staff unrest, and public pressure to improve communication and transparency. The outcome of the meet-and-confer policy could shape how labor relations are handled across the district for years to come.
For now, both sides agree on one thing: the need to center the conversation on students.
“The children of DPS should be our main focus,” Lewis said. Board members who support the policy echoed that sentiment, framing staff empowerment as a direct path to student success.
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