Durham Public Schools · FY2026–27

DPS Budget

53 schools · approximately 32,000 students · three funding sources: state, county, and federal

Board of Education Budget Documents

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📋 FY2026-27 DPS Budget: Key Facts from Recommended Budget Document
  • DPS submitted a county funding request of $412.2 million for FY2026-27, a 6.2% increase over FY2025-26.
  • A state funding gap of more than $7 million puts approximately 61 positions at risk if not backfilled by county or federal funds.
  • The Board of Commissioners votes on the county allocation on June 8. Until then, the DPS figures above are requests, not adopted amounts.

Source: DPS FY2026-27 Superintendent's Recommended Budget. Available via the DPS Board of Education page.

Official Budget Documents

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FY2026–27 Recommended Budget

Superintendent's recommended budget as reviewed by the DPS Board of Education. Includes staffing plan, revenue by source, and program priorities.

View on DPS Board Page →
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Board of Education: Agendas & Minutes

All DPS Board agendas, meeting minutes, and supporting documents are posted through BoardDocs. Budget discussions happen at board meetings each spring.

DPS BoardDocs →
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DPS Financial Reports

Annual comprehensive financial reports, audit documents, and prior-year budgets are available on the DPS website.

DPS Website →

How DPS Gets Funded

DPS receives funding from three sources, each with different rules for how the money can be used.

State of North Carolina (Largest Share)
State funds, set by the NC General Assembly, pay for most teacher salaries using a per-student allotment formula. When the state underfunds or cuts allocations, local districts often have to backfill from county funds to keep positions.
Durham County (Local Appropriation)
County funds supplement state allocations and pay for local priorities: additional teachers, mental health staff, facilities maintenance, and programs the state doesn't cover. The amount is set each June when the Board of Commissioners adopts the county budget.
Federal Grants (Smallest Share)
Federal funds primarily support students with disabilities (IDEA), low-income schools (Title I), and school nutrition. These are restricted grants that cannot replace state or county funding and are tied to specific uses.

FY2025-26 Adopted Budget Snapshot

Source: DPS FY2025-26 Superintendent's Recommended Budget (BoardDocs). All figures in millions.

Funding Source FY2025-26 % of Total
State of NC$244.4M34.5%
Local (Durham County)$225.3M31.8%
Capital Outlay$161.6M22.8%
Federal Grants$43.0M6.1%
Grants & Other$31.7M4.5%
Child Nutrition$19.7M2.8%
Total (All Funds)$708.1M100%

Explore full line-item detail in the Budget Explorer. FY2026-27 figures represent DPS's request, not yet adopted. County BOCC votes on the allocation June 8.

FY2026–27 Budget Calendar

Mar 2026 Superintendent's Recommended Budget Presented to Board
Apr 17 DPS Board of Education Reviews and Approves County Funding Request
May 11 County Manager Presents Recommended Budget (Includes DPS Allocation) · 7:00 PM
May 26 Durham County Public Hearing on FY2026–27 Budget · 7:00 PM · Commissioners Chambers
Jun 8 Durham County BOCC Budget Vote: Sets Final DPS County Allocation · 7:00 PM
Jun 2026 DPS Board Adopts Final Budget After County Allocation Is Confirmed
Jul 1 New Fiscal Year Begins

How to Weigh In

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Speak at the County Hearing

The county controls how much DPS receives. The public hearing is May 26 at 7:00 PM at 200 E. Main St., Commissioners Chambers. This is the most direct opportunity to advocate for school funding.

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Attend a DPS Board Meeting

The Board of Education meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 5:30 PM at 511 Cleveland St. Public comment is taken at every meeting.

Board of Education →
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Contact County Commissioners

Commissioners set the county property tax rate and decide how much goes to DPS. Contact them directly to share your priorities before the June 8 vote.

Board of Commissioners →
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Read the Budget Document

The recommended budget includes staffing details, program costs, and revenue projections by source. It is the primary public document for FY2026–27.

View Budget Documents →