DURHAM, N.C. – The Durham public school system announced there will be no classes Monday because of transportation employee absences as a pay dispute continues.

The closure comes after Durham Public Schools canceled classes Friday because of absences with the workers responsible for inspecting buses. 

Although afterschool programs are canceled Monday, sports and extracurriculars will go on as usual, the school system announced Sunday evening on social media. Employees should treat Monday as a workday, it said.

Teachers and staff have staged protests and sick-outs after administrators this year cut pay for about 2,000 employees. Superintendent Pascal Mubenga resigned Wednesday during a special meeting of the Board of Education.

Officials warned Friday that classes might have to be canceled Monday because of absences among transportation staff.

“This does not include our bus drivers, but we cannot operate buses without mechanics and transportation supervisors,” DPS said in a statement Friday to parents. “Since 75% of our students are bus riders, we are unable to hold school if our buses cannot operate.”

Editor's Note: This story was updated to clarify which DPS department had employee absences.