Our Vision

We envision a Durham where every child has access to a safe, inclusive, and well-resourced public school, where neither their race, orientation, or ability determines the quality of their education. Durham Public Schools must nurture not only academic growth but also the emotional and mental wellness of every student. Restorative practices, not punishment, should define school culture. True educational equity means that families, educators, and students have the power to shape the policies that affect them. Public education should be built and centered around the community, for the community.

Ed Team meeting February, 2025

Our 2025-26 Platform Priorities

Restorative Justice in Every School

End exclusionary discipline and replace it with practices that foster respect and accountability, while advocating for funding that supports a shift to a restorative school culture. 

Alternative Intervention: Staying in School

Explore and advocate for implementing the HEART Model and build partnerships with Durham Beyond Policing and other movement allies. Work to reduce suspensions, particularly for African American and disabled students, and push for alternatives that address root causes and keep students learning.

Full Funding for Traditional Public Schools

Support and advocate for increased funding for Durham Public Schools to ensure that all staff and faculty are fully trained, well-equipped, and prepared to meet the diverse needs of our students. Participate in the community with elected officials and lead the PA efforts to engage with Board of Education candidates during election cycles. Traditional Public Schools are managed by a board elected by the community. 

Information and Idea Dissemination

PA members look to the Ed Team for information about education issues. Part of our mission is to raise awareness among our membership and the community at large.

Our Actions and Advocacy

Community Engagement

Host monthly meetings to discuss current events in our public schools, develop campaign focuses for working groups, and collaborate with local advocacy groups.

Working Groups in Action

The Full Action Team meets monthly, and sub-groups form to work on campaigns and projects.

1. The safety and wellness group meets weekly and is dedicated to advancing safety and wellness in schools through the promotion of restorative practices. Our work involves researching the current state of implementation, identifying systemic gaps, and developing actionable solutions. We are leading a campaign to expand the use of restorative practices by securing external funding and facilitating training for educators, students, and families to build a more supportive and inclusive school climate.
2. Exploring HEART in the schools is an emergent campaign for this team. Several members of the HEART team attended an Ed Team meeting along with our movement partner, Durham Beyond Policing.
3. Every two years, a smaller group convenes to lead the PA efforts for the Board of Education's electoral cycle.

BOE Election Celebration May, 2022

The Legacy of Our Impact

School Merger

PA worked tirelessly over many years in the face of strong opposition for the merger of the predominantly African American City and predominantly white County school systems. PA’s education committee continues to lobby the School Board and administrators on issues key to the education of Durham’s children, such as the campaign to ensure that all students can read by the 2nd grade.

Durham Schools

The PA wrote “The Good Durham School: Making Durham Public Schools Work for All Our Children” – a vision for Durham’s schools that includes sections on school governance, student admissions and placement, instruction, assessment and testing, discipline, specialized services, and support services (1993)

Procedural Initiatives

Successfully advocated to the district to end the contract with Teach for America. Worked with DPS transportation staff and BOE members so that High School students could have a later start time. Researched and passed a white paper to make recommendations to the community for more equity in charter school implementation.

Team Leadership:

Vanessa Barnett Loro & Carina Block: [email protected]