Bettina Umstead elected board chair; Millicent Rogers chosen vice chair

Bettina Umstead was elected chair of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education during the board’s organizational meeting after floor nominations and voice votes, the board announced. Millicent Rogers was later selected as vice chair following additional nominations and a show-of-hands vote.

The election followed the process set out in board policy 2200. Board members nominated F. Millicent Rogers and Bettina Umstead for chair. After voice votes, the board declared, “K. Bettina Umstead has been elected chair of board of education unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.”

Bettina Umstead, Board member and newly elected chair, thanked colleagues after the vote: “Thank you all for your vote of confidence. I think we have important work ahead.”

Millicent Rogers, who had been serving as chair at the start of the meeting and was nominated for vice chair, was selected as vice chair after nominations for Joy Harold Goff and Rogers produced split voice votes and subsequent show-of-hands balloting. The board announced that Rogers will serve as vice chair following that vote.

Superintendent Dr. Lewis thanked outgoing officers by name during the meeting, saying, “Just wanna take a moment to to reflect and thank, vice chair Carter Otten, for her service as a board officer.”

Board members used the post-election remarks to emphasize collaboration. In brief comments, members said they look forward to working together to advance the district’s priorities for students.

Formal roll-call votes with individual member names were not recorded in the transcript provided; the board recorded the chair election result as 6–0 and the vice chair selection as carried after the show-of-hands process.