DPS Board Member Umstead Joins Governor's Council

Bettina Umstead, a member of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education, has been appointed to Gov. Josh Stein’s Advisory Council on Student Safety and Well-Being, a new statewide body charged with developing policies that support safer, healthier school environments for students across North Carolina.

Announced earlier this month, the council will work across state agencies and with local school leaders to advance recommendations, share best practices, and guide state policy related to student safety and wellness. The group’s first priority: partnering with the General Assembly to support school districts in implementing cell phone-free classrooms, a growing topic of debate among educators and families alike.

“I’m honored to serve on the council and expand my service to students across North Carolina,” Umstead said. “Safety and well-being are essential to our students’ academic and holistic success, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to prioritize issues and policies that will improve learning environments for all students.”

Umstead, who has served on the Durham school board since 2016, joins the advisory council alongside a diverse group of educators, mental health professionals, public safety officials, and advocates. The council is co-chaired by Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch, Deputy Secretary William “Billy” Lassiter of the Department of Public Safety, and Heather Smith, North Carolina’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

“North Carolina’s children are our future, and it is crucial that they grow and learn in a safe environment that sets them on the right trajectory to thrive,” said Gov. Stein. “I am proud to establish this council to identify ways to better keep our classrooms safe and our children healthy.”

Batch emphasized the council’s bipartisan potential and mission-driven urgency. “Ensuring the safety of our students is not up for debate – it’s a fundamental responsibility of our state government,” she said. “I’m committed to advancing real, enforceable policies that keep our kids safe and our schools strong – and I’m ready to work with anyone willing to get that important work done.”

Deputy Secretary Lassiter, who oversees the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, noted that school infrastructure and training are both key areas of focus. “We must use the tools at our disposal to upgrade the physical infrastructure of our schools and train our school staff how to recognize and respond to the early warning signs that can lead to public safety threats.”

Teacher of the Year Heather Smith added that her classroom experience has shown how deeply student wellness is tied to academic performance. “If students don’t feel safe, if they are not supported, it’s so much harder for them to learn,” she said.

For Durham, Umstead’s appointment ensures that the district’s experiences, successes, and challenges – especially around student engagement and equity – will be part of a larger state conversation.

Spread the word by sharing this Southpoint Access newsletter with friends and neighbors. Got a tip for your neighborhood news guy? Send email to wes.platt@southpointaccess.news. Call 919-695-9813, ext. 800.

Get Connected