Durham Schools closed again on Monday, school district says

Durham Public Schools will be closed again for students Monday, according to the school district.

In a message sent to parents and families in the school district, the reason for the closure stems from transportation staff absences.

“February 12 due to absences within our transportation department that will prevent us from operating buses [Monday],” the school district said.

The district added the absences do not include bus drivers but mechanics and transportation staff, who are necessary to allow the buses to operate.

DPS afterschool programs will not operate Monday; however, athletics and other afterschool extracurricular activities will operate as normal.

Monday will be a workday for all employees.

Schools in Durham closed on Friday after transportation staff called out. According to the school district, 75% of Durham Public Schools’ students are bus riders.

Staff and educators at schools in the district have staged sick-outs, rallies, protests and walk-ins since the school district revealed they overpaid staff between July and December and, in further adjusting salaries, would no longer recognize experience from out of state.

The fallout resulted in the resignations of Durham Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga and CFO Paul LeSieur.

Former Wake County Public School System Superintendent Catty Moore will fill the superintendent position in an interim capacity until the school district finds a permanent replacement.