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With a significant drop in student enrollment over the past decade - from around 34,000 to about 29,000—questions arise about how to manage existing resources effectively.

Wes highlights that while DPS has fewer students, it operates three more buildings than it did a dozen years ago. This raises a critical question: What would you want to know before a school closure decision is made?

As the board weighs a proposal from MGT Impact Solutions for a $474,405 study on enrollment and possible school consolidations, the urgency for clarity and community involvement becomes apparent. The board voted to delay a decision until Nov. 19, seeking a phased approach to any potential contract.

The dynamics of the school board have shifted recently, with new members joining the conversation. Wes notes that the fresh perspectives might influence how decisions are made about school closures, with some members expressing concerns about the implications of consolidating schools.

Parents are voicing their worries, especially about the quality of education and resources available to their children. A parent pointed out that families appreciate Eastway Elementary but struggle with childcare during breaks due to its year-round calendar. Could affordable camps be a solution? Wes suggests that understanding community needs is crucial in this process.

As the board prepares for the upcoming meeting, Wes urges them to consider several factors:

• What staff can do themselves: Assessing internal capabilities before looking outward.
• Community involvement: Ensuring families have a voice in discussions that directly impact their children.
• Transparency about timelines: When can families expect to see changes, and what will they entail?

In the face of significant infrastructure needs, estimated at around $965 million, making informed decisions now could save money and ensure the longevity of existing schools.

As we approach the Nov. 19 meeting, it’s crucial for the board to address these concerns and provide clear answers to the community. What do you think? How can we ensure that every child's voice is heard in this critical conversation?

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South Durham neighborhood news guy Wes Platt explains what Durham is considering before approving new data centers, including public review, size limits, water and power demands, noise, and protections for nearby neighborhoods. He lays out the planning timeline and the decisions residents can still influence before the city and county moratoria expire in May 2027.

Read Southpoint Access and stay informed! https://soduwelikelocal.news/

Nearly 30,000 people in Durham County rely on SNAP to help buy groceries and put food on their tables. As of October 1st, significant changes are coming to this vital program, but they might not be what you expect.

Starting Oct. 1, the federal government will decrease its contribution to the administrative costs of SNAP, dropping from 50% to just 25%. This means that states, like North Carolina, will need to cover the remaining 75%. For Durham County, this translates to an estimated additional cost of $2.1 million for the fiscal year, amounting to a total of about $7.8 million that the county will need to manage.Read the full story in Southpoint Access!

A teenager died after contracting primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, a rare and usually fatal brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri.

A state investigation identified an interactive garden water feature at El Futuro’s Durham clinic as the most likely source of exposure, although investigators couldn’t reach a definitive conclusion. The teenager reportedly splashed water on his face while visiting the feature Aug. 13. The infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose, not when someone drinks it.

Investigators later detected nonliving Naegleria fowleri genetic material in the feature’s storage tank. They also documented algae, debris, and ineffective disinfection. No living Naegleria fowleri organisms were found when the samples were collected.

In this episode of Office Hours, Wes Platt examines what investigators found, what remains uncertain, and whether interactive water features where children play should be regulated like splash pads and swimming pools.

Read the full story at Southpoint Access, and share your perspective in the SoDu Town Square.

Wes Platt discusses the recent Durham Public Schools test scores, exploring what the numbers reveal about student progress, school performance, and how parents and administrators should interpret these results.

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This episode explores the Durham Public Schools' plan to address the shortage of exceptional children teachers through a contract with Unlimited Instruction LLC. Neighborhood News Guy Wes Platt analyzes the implications, costs, and potential long-term impacts of outsourcing teacher staffing.

Thanks to Southpoint Access sponsors and subscribers for supporting local news in Durham!

In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access Office Hours⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Wes Platt ponders Durham Board of County Commissioners Vice Chair Nida Allam's decision to vote against the data center moratorium (while authoring amendments to it before the rest of the board approved it).

Thanks to Southpoint Access sponsors for supporting independent local journalism.

In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access Office Hours⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Wes Platt talks with Ashley Melzer of Mettlesome about the improv theater organization's 10th anniversary. Check out dozens of shows this weekend and next at their theater in Golden Belt!

Thanks to Southpoint Access sponsors for supporting independent local journalism.

In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access Office Hours⁠⁠⁠⁠, Wes Platt talks with Matt Whitnack of Vets to Vets United about the organization's mission to pair rescue dogs with military veterans, and the upcoming 5K9 Dog Jog in September. Plus: Discussing the proposed data center moratorium and high school mental health.

Thanks to Southpoint Access sponsors for supporting independent local journalism.

In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access Office Hours⁠⁠⁠, Wes Platt talks about the Durham Public Schools handbook, technology fees, recent power outages, and the drought situation. Plus: How you can help grow Southpoint Access readership and make it possible to expand coverage!

Thanks to Southpoint Access sponsors for supporting independent local journalism.