Dina Hayes Green Reelected Chair of Guilford County Board; Betty Jenkins Named Vice Chair

Dina Hayes Green was reelected chair of the Guilford County Board of Education during the board’s organizational meeting on Dec. 11, winning a public, signed ballot count of 6 to 2. Betty Jenkins was selected as vice chair without opposition.

The election followed an open-nominations process run by board attorney Jill Wilson. Board members used signed paper ballots that are part of the public record; remote member Kim Irby announced her vote aloud after the in-person ballots were counted, a procedure Wilson said was intended to preserve transparency.

“Thank you so much to my colleagues. Thank you so much for the public,” Hayes Green said after the vote, expressing appreciation for emails, calls and other outreach in support of her candidacy.

The meeting also approved the consent agenda, presented by Superintendent Whitney Oakley, which included minutes, personnel actions, a first reading of the 2026 traditional academic calendar, class-size waivers, and contracts for HVAC and chiller replacement projects and design services tied to the Erwin Montessori bond project. The consent agenda passed by an 8–0 vote.

Board leadership said they will continue customary organizational responsibilities, including ethics training for new members and the chair conducting administrative duties through the year. Jill Wilson reminded members that ballots are signed and available for public inspection as required by law.

No formal amendments to the leadership outcomes were introduced at the meeting; the board adjourned after member comments and holiday acknowledgments.

What’s next: Board members said they expect regular business and committee work to continue in January, including policy discussions on items scheduled for public comment.