Durham school board approves pay raise for superintendent following evaluation
.jpg "Anthony S. Lewis, superintendent of Durham Public Schools")
The Durham Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously this month to increase Superintendent Anthony Lewis's salary, showing support for his leadership.
Lewis’ base state salary and local supplement will bring his total pay to $290,000 a year.
The News & Observer has asked the district for more specific information, including a breakdown of his state and local pay, to determine the amount and percentage of his increase.
The vote, which took place June 25, marks the second time Lewis’ contract has been amended since he took over in 2024. In December, the board voted to extend his contract to June 2029 and give him 40 hours of compensatory time to be used before taking any vacation days.
New compensation and contract details
The new contract amendment outlines several financial requirements:
- For the 2026-27 fiscal year, Lewis’ $290,000 salary won’t be increased by any state-paid superintendent raises approved by the state legislature.
- Effective July 1, 2027, Lewis will become eligible for state-legislated salary increases. Any increase to his local supplement will require a majority vote of the school board.
- The Board of Education approved a one-time payment of $2,500 during the 2026-27 fiscal year to be deposited into an annuity or retirement program selected by Lewis.
Board highlights academic progress
School board members said the salary increase reflected Lewis’ impact on the district and followed a rigorous performance evaluation.
Chairwoman Bettina Umstead said the district has been impressed by Lewis’ leadership and attendance to several listening sessions to understand the community’s “needs and desires.”
“He set forth position of having a premier school dristrict, and we see him moving in that direction,” Umstead said in a phone call. “We see our students graduating with credentials and associate degrees and going on to careers.”
Umstead added that Lewis has also tackled the district’s challenges, including improving transportation so students can get to school on time. Each school also has free breakfast and lunch.
“We also see him continuing to think about how we do financially, and spend money in a way that continues to improve academics for students, honors our educators,” Umstead said. “We’re hoping to get some raises in there soon, as well as being smart about how we spend our dollars.”
Durham Public Schools is one of the 10 largest school districts in the state, serving over 31,000 students.
The board’s vote comes weeks after Durham County passed a $1 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27. The budget’s largest amount is for the school district of $239 million and includes a school district minimum wage increase from $17.15 to $18.22 per hour. Lewis had requested $244 million from the county.
Over the past year, Lewis has ordered further staff training and an internal investigation after three administrators were indicted on felony charges for obstruction of a child abuse investigation. Most recently, Lewis and other city and county leaders announced an effort to increase generational wealth for Durham’s children by partnering with the Invest America Foundation.
Lewis thanked the board after its vote.
“What this Board has shown is that they are invested in improved and continues success in this school system,” Lewis said in a statement. “What happens when there is turnover at the superintendent’s level is that teachers and staff and students are the ones that end up suffering, and so your commitment this evening has made a loud statement to our students and to our staff that the work will continue.”
This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 3:46 PM.