Durham School Board Selects Bettina Umstead as Chair

Bettina Umstead returned to the role as chair of Durham Public Schools’ Board of Education during a special organizational meeting held Tuesday morning.

Millicent Rogers, who served as chair during the past year, was elected to vice chair for 2025-26.

“What I see ahead is us thinking about how we collectively put our strengths together to be able to do what’s in the best interests of our scholars,” Umstead told her fellow board members after her election.

Wendell Tabb told colleagues he enjoyed working with them and “I’m excited about the power we have on the board. I look forward to where we continue to move Durham Public Schools.”

Jessica Carda-Auten agreed and urged a focus on building partnerships on the board and in the community.