DPS Policies
Durham Public Schools
Click here to see the most current district Employee Handbook.
Click here to see the most current district Employee Handbook.
Guest Speakers (SB Policy 3070)
All speakers in a school, for a club, a class, or any assembled group of students must be approved in advance by the school principal. Such speakers should address topics related to instruction, and the Standard Course of Study. The principal shall not approve any speaker whose presentation may: be vulgar, indecent, obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the maturity level of students; contain libelous statements or abusive language such as language defaming a person’s character, race, religion, ethnic origin or disability; cause or clearly threaten to cause a material and substantial disruption of normal classroom activity, any normal school function, or other school activity; encourage the commission of unlawful acts or the violation of lawful school regulations; or solicit students for any commercial purpose or promote or advertise any product or service not permitted to minors by law. Guest speakers must be approved by the Principal. If you invite a guest speaker to address your students, be sure to notify the office that the speaker is coming. Please be prepared to meet the individual in the office, or to send a student to the office to escort the speaker to your classroom.
All speakers in a school, for a club, a class, or any assembled group of students must be approved in advance by the school principal. Such speakers should address topics related to instruction, and the Standard Course of Study. The principal shall not approve any speaker whose presentation may: be vulgar, indecent, obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the maturity level of students; contain libelous statements or abusive language such as language defaming a person’s character, race, religion, ethnic origin or disability; cause or clearly threaten to cause a material and substantial disruption of normal classroom activity, any normal school function, or other school activity; encourage the commission of unlawful acts or the violation of lawful school regulations; or solicit students for any commercial purpose or promote or advertise any product or service not permitted to minors by law. Guest speakers must be approved by the Principal. If you invite a guest speaker to address your students, be sure to notify the office that the speaker is coming. Please be prepared to meet the individual in the office, or to send a student to the office to escort the speaker to your classroom.
Use of Videos (SB Policy 3045)
The principal or designee must approve any use of movies or videos, unless the movie or video is maintained in the school library. Movies or videos should be used for instructional purposes only and should be consistent with the Standard Course of Study. Use of movies or videos for entertainment or reward purposes violates this policy and may violate copyright laws. The use of approved videos or movies must be for instructional purposes, and must be indicated within your lesson plans. A direct correlation to the NC Course of Study and standards will be expected. In determining whether to approve the use of movies or videos, the principal shall apply the factors listed in Section I of policy 3015, Selection and Reconsideration of Instructional Materials. This includes YouTube videos or others that are streamed online.
The principal or designee must approve any use of movies or videos, unless the movie or video is maintained in the school library. Movies or videos should be used for instructional purposes only and should be consistent with the Standard Course of Study. Use of movies or videos for entertainment or reward purposes violates this policy and may violate copyright laws. The use of approved videos or movies must be for instructional purposes, and must be indicated within your lesson plans. A direct correlation to the NC Course of Study and standards will be expected. In determining whether to approve the use of movies or videos, the principal shall apply the factors listed in Section I of policy 3015, Selection and Reconsideration of Instructional Materials. This includes YouTube videos or others that are streamed online.
Tobacco/Drug/Alcohol Free Environment
All DPS facilities and outdoor areas are designated as tobacco-free areas. No one, including visitors, is permitted to smoke or otherwise use tobacco products, vapers or hookah devices anywhere on school campuses at any time. This includes smoking and chewing tobacco as well as e-cigarettes and hooka pipes.
No illegal drugs or Alcohol.
All DPS facilities and outdoor areas are designated as tobacco-free areas. No one, including visitors, is permitted to smoke or otherwise use tobacco products, vapers or hookah devices anywhere on school campuses at any time. This includes smoking and chewing tobacco as well as e-cigarettes and hooka pipes.
No illegal drugs or Alcohol.
Salary/Compensation
Teachers, teaching assistants, ten-month custodians, and ten-month office personnel may receive their pay in 12 equal installments. The election to receive eleventh and twelfth month installment pay must be made in writing to DPS payroll by each employee prior to the first required workday of the school year. If the employees are currently receiving installment pay, it is not necessary to send in the written request unless they take a leave-of-absence or go off the payroll for any reason. No teachers may elect installment pay if their licenses have not been issued and they are receiving substitute pay.
Teachers are charged with ten (10) days annual leave per year for Winter and Spring Breaks (5 days for Winter Break and 5 days for Spring Break).
Teachers, teaching assistants, ten-month custodians, and ten-month office personnel may receive their pay in 12 equal installments. The election to receive eleventh and twelfth month installment pay must be made in writing to DPS payroll by each employee prior to the first required workday of the school year. If the employees are currently receiving installment pay, it is not necessary to send in the written request unless they take a leave-of-absence or go off the payroll for any reason. No teachers may elect installment pay if their licenses have not been issued and they are receiving substitute pay.
Teachers are charged with ten (10) days annual leave per year for Winter and Spring Breaks (5 days for Winter Break and 5 days for Spring Break).