About Us

When the economic crisis hit Durham Public Schools last year we lost 139 teachers and
298 total school positions because of budget cuts. Students were pushed into already
over-packed classrooms with less and less supplies and the number of summer and after-
school programs available shrank.

We know that public systems, especially schools, are the foundation of our economy, our
democracy, and our future. And we believe, not only that they must be fully funded, but
that they must be places of justice and opportunity. The budget crisis isn't about numbers,
it's about putting our money where our values are.


On April 30th the Umbrella Coalition led a three mile, 300 person march from Hillside High school to downtown Durham to demand full funding and justice in our public schools. Since April 30th the Umbrella Coalition has been holding our public officials accountable for ensuring full funding for our schools and upholding principles of justice. Led by youth and supported by the broader community, the Umbrella Coalition continues to be a force that is transforming democracy in Durham, NC.


The Umbrella Coalition is a group of students, school and city workers, community members, and parents who have come together to demand justice and full funding in our schools. The Hillside History Club, People's Durham, and UE 150's Durham Chapter are the three organizational partners that anchor the group.

Our coalition unites around three principles:
  1. Fully funding education and all public services. Now is the time for the county to raise revenue and use rainy day funds to protect our schools and strengthen the public systems that are so essential to our communities, especially in hard economic times.
  2. Access to higher education for all students, regardless of immigration status. Education should be a vehicle of opportunity, not a tool for discrimination. County officials must join the call for access to higher education for all and they must call on state officials to do the same.
  3. The rights of public workers to speak collectively. Schools and public services work better when workers can earn a living and can add their expertise to improving their workplaces. County representatives must join us in demanding the repeal of GS 95-98, the NC law preventing public workers from collective bargaining.


 
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