Wendell Tabb, a 35-year educator, was elected board chair as Durham's school board signaled a leadership shift by voting out former chair Bettina Umstead as vice chair.
Wendell Tabb, a 35-year educator, was elected board chair; Jessica Carda-Auten was elected vice chair in a 6-1 vote that removed former chair Bettina Umstead from leadership.
New chair Tabb called for the district to reset priorities on student achievement, citing financial challenges, lack of transparency, and mistrust within Durham Public Schools.
Vice Chair Carda-Auten outlined governance priorities including robust board training, professional development, and clearly defined roles to improve board and superintendent partnership.