Durham’s latest controversy started with something that sounds small: first names versus titles in a formal meet-and-confer meeting between DPS Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis and Durham Association of Educators president Mika Twietmeyer. But the reaction was anything but small.

In this episode of Southpoint Access Office Hours, I walk through what was said on the record and why many community leaders saw the exchange as part of a larger pattern of disrespect toward Black leadership. I also address a seeming inconsistency — that Dr. Lewis used Twietmeyer’s first name first — and explore what consistency and professionalism can look like in high-stakes public settings.

The takeaway: in a district where history, power, and race shape how moments land, clear, mutual norms around respect matter — especially when the work is about schools.

Plus:

• Afterschool program costs go up June 1.
• Early voting ends this weekend!
• Let's support local news!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, more than 350 Durham Public Schools students will put on a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center through a partnership between the school district and the nonprofit DPS Foundation.

Get a look behind the scenes at a rehearsal at Riverside High School and hear from K-12 arts director Lester Turner and Murray-Massenburg Elementary School teacher Mikey Truzey.

Plus:

• What's up with the Unified Development Ordinance?
• Early voting has begun!
• Let's support local news!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.

Xavier Cason, candidate for Durham Public Schools Board of Education District 4, joins ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ neighborhood news guy Wes Platt for a discussion about board priorities and challenges facing the school district.

Early voting starts this week, and even though the ballot's going to say "primary" in March, the vote is one and done. Don't miss the chance to cast your ballot.

Plus: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.

Natalie Bent Kitaif, candidate for Durham Public Schools Board of Education District 1, joins ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ neighborhood news guy Wes Platt for a discussion about board priorities and challenges facing the school district.

Early voting starts this week, and even though the ballot's going to say "primary" in March, the vote is one and done. Don't miss the chance to cast your ballot.

Plus: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.

In this episode, neighborhood news guy Wes Platt talks about the current state of Southpoint Access and how readers, donors, and sponsors make it possible to keep neighbors informed about what's happening in South Durham.

How can you help? And how can you make sure your voice is heard? Plus, what role does AI play in the publication? We delve into all that in this episode.

Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.

Bettina Umstead, current chair of Durham Public Schools Board of Education and candidate for re-election in District 2, joins ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ neighborhood news guy Wes Platt for a discussion about board priorities and challenges facing the school district.

Early voting starts in February, and even though the ballot's going to say "primary" in March, the vote is one and done. Don't miss the chance to cast your ballot.

Plus: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.

Kristy Moore, a candidate for Durham Public Schools Board of Education District 4, joins ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ neighborhood news guy Wes Platt for a discussion about board priorities and challenges facing the school district.

Early voting starts in February, and even though the ballot's going to say "primary" in March, the vote is one and done. Don't miss the chance to cast your ballot.

Plus: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.

Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ neighborhood news guy Wes Platt reacts to news that ICE agents in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24, killed another citizen whose only crime (but not a crime) was recording them with his phone. Plus, he takes a look at the current weather forecast. Southpoint Access will continue trying to operate despite bad weather and power outages

Also: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31. Subscribe, donate, or sponsor today!

Rachel Waltz, a candidate for Durham Public Schools Board of Education District 2, joins ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ neighborhood news guy Wes Platt for a discussion about board priorities and challenges facing the school district.

Early voting starts in February, and even though the ballot's going to say "primary" in March, the vote is one and done. Don't miss the chance to cast your ballot.

Plus: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.

Nadeen Bir, a candidate for Durham Public Schools Board of Education District 2, joins ⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠ neighborhood news guy Wes Platt for a discussion about board priorities and challenges facing the school district.

Early voting starts in February, and even though the ballot's going to say "primary" in March, the vote is one and done. Don't miss the chance to cast your ballot.

Plus: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.