Durham’s new interim schools superintendent is a familiar face in NC education
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Durham Public Schools Salary Dispute
Budget problems in Durham Public Schools have caused disruptions, including halted bus routes and schools closings as staff members call in sick to protest. The protests come as the school district reported it had budgeted incorrectly and could not pay raises for 1,300 classified staff members, including bus mechanics, cafeteria workers and physical therapists. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer.
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Durham Public Schools has hired former Wake County Superintendent Catty Moore to serve as the interim superintendent of the district, which has been embroiled in chaos for weeks over budgeting and pay issues.
The Board of Education unanimously approved a contract with Moore at the end of a Thursday night meeting one day after Pascal Mubenga resigned.
Nicholas King, previously a deputy to Mubenga, served as the interim leader for one day.
Moore has spent 35 years in public education, the last five as Wake County superintendent before her retirement in June. She was the first woman and first person of Latin descent in that role.
Since Moore left Wake County, Gov. Roy Cooper appointed her in October to the State Board of Education. She will remain on that board.
She will be paid $25,000 a month, plus expenses, according to her contract. That equates to an annual salary of $300,000.
Moore, who lives across the state in Union County, may also receive weekly allotments of $610 for temporary lodging and $140 for traveling to Durham. That bumps the total compensation up to $336,000 a year.
Moore’s first day in Durham could be a difficult one. All schools are closed Friday due to bus transportation staff calling in sick.
Mubenga led the district for over seven years. DPS serves more than 30,000 students.
Mubenga’s resignation letter signed Wednesday states he will be awarded $297,759 in severance pay by Friday. It also stipulates that no board members should “make any disparaging statements or comments” about Mubenga or his performance.
A formal search for a new superintendent will be launched this month, a district spokesperson said.
This story was originally published February 8, 2024 at 8:58 PM.
