Education
Statement of Education Principles
The Friends of Durham believes strongly that our schools are the cornerstone of success for all of our children and our community. We support the broad range of public, charter and private school choices that we have in Durham and encourage the development of additional choices.
4.17.18
The Friends of Durham believes strongly that our schools are the cornerstone of success for all of our children and our community. We support the broad range of public, charter and private school choices that we have in Durham and encourage the development of additional choices.
- We are in support of continued fiscal oversight of our public school system funding by the Durham County Manager and Board of Commissioners.
- Students and staff must feel safe and secure in their school environment. Minimizing disruption in the classroom and throughout the building creates a better educational environment that will allow students to learn. The Board of Education must provide a safe and secure environment in our schools. Priorities must be that our children can learn, minimizing disruption, making teachers and staff secure in their classrooms and protecting our children who come to school to learn. A strong, positive relationship between school officials and law enforcement/emergency responders – built on mutual respect for, and adherence to their specific roles – is a cornerstone of an effective school security program. Use of School Resource Officers is encouraged based on close collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office. We believe that a security plan should be developed for each school using the combined knowledge of our county law enforcement personnel, other first responders and our school officials. We encourage all schools to develop and explain to the students and staff a code of conduct. Then we expect this code to be enforced. This code will go a long way to establishing a strong educational environment.
- We are supportive of Superintendent Mubenga’s goal of leveraging the talents and resources of teachers, principals, district level staff, businesses, the community, and faith-based organizations in the rebranding of our district.
- We are encouraged by and supportive of our schools’ efforts to continue to close the achievement gap and increase graduation rates.
- We challenge our Board of Education and Board candidates to establish policies and programs to ensure that our students who graduate from high school or otherwise finish school are adequately prepared to join the workforce and be ready for employment, higher education, or the military.
- We encourage all of our schools, whether public, charter or private, to collaborate more closely with Durham Technical Community College and other institutions offering preparation for the workforce.
- We understand that not all children will seek to attend college or other post high school education. Vibrant and relevant vocational and certificate programs should be developed in our schools, including apprenticeship programs to give them first-hand experiences.
- Finally, we encourage all efforts in providing universal pre-K in Durham schools. It is vital to every child's future education to enter kindergarten ready to learn. Pre-K will help parents and their children develop strategies for our children to become successful in kindergarten and beyond.
4.17.18