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DPS Afterschool Programs Adopt Lottery Model
Durham Public Schools parents may have wanted assurances that their child would make it easily into an afterschool program in elementary school in the 2024-25 academic year. What we’re getting instead? Another lottery, similar to what parents use for magnet school applications. Previously, afterschool program access was first-come, first-served. In a letter to families this…
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APS Pet of the Week: Socks
Socks is an energetic large dog available for adoption from the Animal Protection Society of Durham. Here are his biographical details, provided by APS of Durham: One week after Valentine’s day and still waiting for your boyfriend to show up with flowers? Socks would never disappoint you like that! An affectionate and eager to please…
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Durham Schools Among Free Breakfast Grant Recipients
School districts and public charter schools across North Carolina, including Durham Public Schools, are expected to share $1.3 million in grants to expand access to breakfast for students. “Our public schools not only provide safe places for children to learn, but also healthy meals for students who sometimes face food insecurity at home,” said Gov.…
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City Taps Acting Director to Lead Waste Management
From a City of Durham news release: Wayne Fenton, who has served as acting director of Durham’s Solid Waste Management Department since late 2022, on Feb. 26 officially became director. He oversees the department’s collections, disposal facilities, and waste-reduction initiatives. Before joining the city in 2015, Fenton served 16 years working in utilities and asset…
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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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[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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