Durham School Board Chooses New Leadership

“Today is a new day,” said Wendell Tabb, one of two newcomers to the Durham Public Schools Board of Education on Monday, in remarks after he was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Josephine Davis.

Tabb and Joy Harrell-Goff joined the board after six tumultuous months that saw a district in crisis after the former chief financial officer for DPS botched the implementation of a classified pay raise and ultimately led to the resignation of then-Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga.

Throughout that period, the board was led by Bettina Umstead as chair and Emily Chavez as vice chair. On Monday, after swearing in the two new members, the board grappled with who should lead going forward.

Chavez, who wanted to step back from board leadership, nominated Millicent Rogers as board chair. The board voted 5-2 in favor of Rogers, with Natalie Beyer voting no and Tabb abstaining (although under voting rules, an abstention in this circumstance normally would be counted as an affirmative vote, according to the board’s attorney).

Rogers thanked colleagues for their trust “as we ensure our schools work for all kids.”

“To our outgoing chair and vice chair, thank you for your hard work and tireless dedication to board leadership,” she added.

For vice chair, Chavez nominated Jessica Carda-Auten. Beyer nominated Umstead, recommending the former chair because of her prior experience and connections with local and state government leaders. She noted that those qualities could be valuable to the incoming superintendent, Dr. Anthony Lewis, who starts working for DPS in August.

“I think Durham Public Schools is in a time of transition,” Umstead told her colleagues on the board. “And I want to serve the board in whatever is the best way possible.”

Again, Tabb abstained. He explained that he had asked board members if they could reach a unanimous decision. Because they couldn’t, he intended to abstain. “I don’t want to walk into a situation already being put against board members on the first vote as soon as I take office,” he said. “That’s a tough position to be in.”

Harrell-Goff, Tabb’s fellow novice on the board, explained why she cast a vote despite being new: “I also spoke with board members. I felt solid about the decision I was making.” She said that her decision was informed by talking with everyone the board and that succession is part of movement and of growth and moving forward.

This time, his vote counted as an affirmative. Beyer voted against Carda-Auten for vice chair. The recorded vote was 5-2 in favor of Carda-Auten.

Carda-Auten said it was an honor to be selected and that “I am grateful for the trust my colleagues have placed in me. I do not take this responsibility lightly.”

“This board is composed of an incredible group of individuals who bring a wealth of experience to the role,” she said.

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