Bed bugs discovered in Durham students" Chromebooks

Bed bugs have been discovered in Google Chromebooks issued to students at Riverside High School in Durham, North Carolina. The laptops were stored in the school's media center over the summer, leading to concerns among parents about the potential spread of these pests. The school has requested that families return the newly-issued laptops and inspect their homes for any signs of infestation. Terminix pest control has noted that bed bugs can hide in the small crevices of electronics, making it difficult to detect them initially. In addition to the bed bug issue, Durham Public Schools (DPS) is facing challenges related to employee pay. More than 50 employees received incorrect paychecks, which has caused confusion and concern among staff. The DPS superintendent, Dr. Anthony S. Lewis, acknowledged that the underpayment was due to an oversight involving changes in employee status. To rectify this, separate checks will be issued to those affected. The start of the new school year has been further complicated by ongoing issues with aging school buildings and HVAC systems that are struggling to cope with the summer heat. Dr. Lewis indicated that a significant portion of the school facilities are operating beyond their intended life cycles, which adds to the challenges faced by the district. Overall, the combination of pest control issues, payroll discrepancies, and infrastructure challenges highlights the difficulties that Durham Public Schools is currently navigating as they begin the academic year.