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[Southpoint Access] Subscriber Report – February 2024
In the interest of transparency, and because I want to track how Southpoint Access grows and evolves over time, I thought I’d start sharing monthly statistics with readers like you. First, let me note that the projected readership area falls primarily inside zipcodes 27707, 27709, 27713, and 27517. The estimated population in the readership area:…
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Four Companies Tapped for Innovate Durham Program
Are you a Southpoint Access subscriber? Support our ultra-local news at this link! Innovate Durham, a city/county program that allows entrepreneurs and startups to test ideas, products, or services with access to government staff and data, received 28 applications for this year’s program. The four finalists selected include: “Durham County is excited to continue our ongoing partnership with…
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[Junction 54] Mission Not Quite Accomplished – Editor’s Column/Audio Note
If you hadn’t been paying attention for the past six weeks, you’d be forgiven for breathing a sigh of relief after reading this line in a statement issued Friday by Durham Public Schools: “This vote ends a period of uncertainty and anxiety for our classified employees, but it does not end our commitment to providing…
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DPS Meet-and-Confer Group Takes Shape
Bettina Umstead, chair of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education, on Thursday appointed 11 people to serve on the new ad hoc committee to develop a “meet-and-confer” policy within the school district. The policy, expected to give staff and teachers a louder voice in the budgeting process, is coming together as the board prepares…
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DPS Board Votes for 11% Pay Plan
Starting in March, classified Durham Public Schools workers who saw their pay increased based on a 2022-23 salary study can expect their checks to shrink – some by more than $1,000 – until the end of the school year. The DPS Board of Education voted Thursday night to pay those workers 11% above what they…
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[Junction 54] A Clean Break – Editor’s Column/Audio Note
I’ve heard some folks say Durham Public Schools should’ve insisted that Dr. Pascal Mubenga stick around to help clean up the mess his administration caused with the classified worker pay crisis. I get it. I do. If one of my kids spills food on the floor, I want them to be responsible and clean it…
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[SoDuWe Poll Results] Youth Activities in South Durham
Southpoint Access recently asked readers to share their insights and experiences regarding youth activities in South Durham. The results: Half the respondents indicated that their family participates in youth sports and other activities at least once a week. A third are involved in activities once a month. Nearly 17% reported that they’ve got something going…
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DPS Comptroller Supports 11% Pay Increase Plan
The comptroller hired to guide Durham Public Schools out of its classified worker pay quagmire recommends that the district – for now – approve an 11% increase for employees. That’s according to a presentation containing an update from veteran school finance leader Kerry Crutchfield, submitted ahead of the Board of Education’s Thursday meeting. In his…
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Students Celebrate Durham Hero Bus Driver
Brogden Middle School students cheered the arrival of Deona Washington, a Durham Public Schools bus driver who’s been with the district for about 11 years. She earned the acclaim on Feb. 16 when the Thomas Built bus she drove caught fire during the afternoon route. Washington kept calm and hustled her 28 passengers off the…
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Memo: DPS Financial Officer Proposed Cuts to Help Fund Pay Discrepancy
This story is developing. More information will be added as it becomes available. Durham Public Schools would’ve cut all federal ESSER-funded positions and slashed “over utilized allocations at the schools” to help free up funds to cover the millions needed to cover the cost of the classified worker pay increase. That’s the plan former Chief…
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[SoDu We Poll] Life with Telecommuting
Like me, do you work from home? I’m asking Southpoint Access readers to participate in a brief survey about the benefits and challenges of telecommuting. Loading… Are you a Southpoint Access subscriber? Support our ultra-local news at this link!
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Durham Council Considers Israel-Palestine Ceasefire Resolution
After months of citizens calling for action during public comment periods, the Durham City Council now is set to pass a resolution seeking an end to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. The resolution, included in the agenda for the Feb. 19 council meeting, recognizes the diverse nationalities, ethnicities, and faiths of Durham residents…
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