Residents urge Durham County to fully fund Durham Public Schools during budget hearing

Dozens of residents addressed the Durham County Board of Commissioners on May 28 during a public hearing on the FY 2024-25 County Manager’s Recommended Budget, urging the board to fully fund Durham Public Schools and to protect a range of community programs.

The hearing opened with Chair Nida Allam inviting public comment. Residents who formally registered their support for full Durham Public Schools funding included Emily Kahn, Quentia Thomas Headen, Krystal Moore and a long list of others recorded in the minutes. Several commenters specifically requested other budget priorities: Chancelor McFalls, Nicole Locke and Tara Holloway asked for funding to purchase personal protective equipment for detention officers; DeWarren Langley asked the board to support the Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation, Inc.; Brandon Mitchell asked the board to increase retirement pensions; Evonne Coleman asked the board to minimize reductions to the Cultural Advisory Committee and the Memorial Stadium Authority while also supporting Durham Public Schools; Cynthia William urged expansion of the Low-Income Homeowners Relief Program and additional staffing for the county Tax Department; and Dennis Garrett urged continued funding for Violence Intervention and Prevention programs.

The public hearing was a formal opportunity for residents to register priorities that county leaders will consider during deliberations on the FY 2024-25 budget. The board did not vote on the budget at this meeting; the hearing record was accepted and the session moved forward with other agenda business. Chair Allam thanked those who spoke for participating in the public process.

What happens next: The Manager’s Recommended Budget remains subject to further review and formal adoption through the Board’s budget process; the minutes record public comments that staff and commissioners may use in upcoming budget work sessions and decisions.