Bettina Umstead, candidate for Durham school board
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Candidates for Durham County School Board, District 2
Candidates in the nonpartisan Durham County School Board race will be elected to four district seats and two consolidated district seats, based on where they live in the county. District 2 candidates include incumbent Bettina Umstead and challengers Christopher Burns and Donald Hughes. Get to know the candidates in our 2022 Voter Guide.
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Name: Bettina Umstead
Email: info@bettinaumstead.com
Political Party: Democrat
Age: 34
Campaign website: https://www.bettinaumstead.com/
Occupation and employer: Associate and Equity Leadership Coach, The Equity Collaborative
Education: B.A. Middle Grades Education, Concentration in Language Arts & Social Studies, Peabody School of Education, UNC-Chapel Hill
Have you run for elected office before? Yes. I was appointed to the school board in 2016 and elected in 2018.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement:
Advisory Board Member for the Public School Forum of NC; Board of Director, Durham Museum of History; Member of DPS Racial & Educational Equity Task Force and DPS Strategic Planning Committee; Co-Chair People of Color Caucus, Durham Organizing Against Racism; 2019 Durham Chapter of Charms First Lady
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Cynthia Kuhn, Mark Kuhn, Steve Schewel
What are your top three priorities for Durham Public Schools?
My top three priorities for Durham Public Schools is to invest in our students and educators, affirm our commitment to equity in our practices and culture and to continue to build a strong operational infrastructure. I will continue to advocate for improving educator working conditions and increasing salaries, prioritizing the mental health needs of our students and increasing academic achievement. DPS adopted a Racial and Educational Equity policy in June 2021. Now is the time to operationalize the policy into procedures and practices that will remove barriers to student success and center student and family voices. Last, but certainly not least, DPS must continue to build a strong operational infrastructure. I have worked alongside County Commissioners to secure the funding needed for regular maintenance and major capital projects. That collaborative approach will ensure our students have the physical classroom space that can ignite their limitless potential.
What does DPS do well? In what areas does it need to improve?
DPS’ strategic plan, developed through a community effort in 2018, does an excellent job laying out clear priorities, goals and strategies for the district. It is the grounding document for all decisions. During the 2018-19 school year, 84% of schools met or exceeded growth and 49% of students achieved grade level proficiency on the EOG/EOC exams. In 2021, DPS’ four-year cohort graduation rate increased to 87%. We have worked to improve our facilities by increasing the annual maintenance funding, building new and renovated schools and a focus on sustainability. This is another area of pride for DPS. DPS still has work to do to ensure equity is realized for the students in our District. Over the next year, DPS must continue to lean into equity practices in teaching and develop the necessary supports for students of color to learn and grow. DPS needs to continue to center student and family voices in all decision making processes.
What about your life experience makes you the best person for the school board?
I am an educator who believes in the brilliance of our students, students who remind me of myself, my family and my friends. I watched as my parents advocated not only for their children, but for others to have the best educational outcomes possible. They realized the power of education and I decided I wanted to be a part of transforming outcomes for students, especially students of color. I studied Middle Grades Education at UNC-Chapel Hill and worked for 10 years at Student U, a community-based organization that uses the power of education to build a just and equitable Durham. During my time at Student U, I worked with over 550 potential first-generation college students and their families, navigating the public school system on their journey to college or career. My life experiences are rooted in advocating with families for the opportunities their students deserve.
How should the school board evaluate the superintendent and make that process more transparent to the community?
The Board evaluates the superintendent with an evaluation tool created by the board that utilizes data from the Strategic Plan as an outline and as well as qualitative metrics for leadership. While the evaluation is a personnel matter and is conducted in a closed session, the board welcomes feedback on the superintendent’s performance. I welcome ideas from the community on how to make the process more transparent.
Should anti-racism education be taught in the schools, and is DPS doing an adequate job teaching Black history?
Anti-racism education is a practice that works to honor all children and their identities. It is designed to offer opportunities to students who have historically been marginalized. It seeks to center truth in history, critical thinking skills and respect for all persons. DPS can continue to grow in expanding curriculum to include more Black and Latinx history as well as the history of Durham. DPS has created culturally relevant teaching materials and we can continue to grow in this area.
What strategies would you advocate to raise the academic achievement of Black boys in the school system?
Increasing the academic achievement of Black boys is vital to the success of our school system. First, we need to listen to our Black boys to understand from their perspective how schools need to change to meet their needs. I believe we need to continue to invest in and expand mentoring and affinity group programs that build a sense of belonging for our students. We also must connect Black boys to rigorous, engaging curriculum through intentional course counseling and placements. Educators must continue to build relationships with students that center their humanity, connect their academics to their future and build compassion. I support continuing to expand our Equity Professional Learning Opportunities through the Office of Equity Affairs to support educators to address bias, utilize culturally affirming strategies and build culturally responsive curriculum.
How can DPS reverse enrollment losses and de facto segregation in its schools?
Across the nation, school districts have experienced decreases in enrollment after a year of interrupted schooling due to the pandemic. I believe the best way to reverse enrollment loss is to be the best option for families. As we work to increase academic opportunities, retain great educators and build innovative learning environments, families will return to DPS. DPS must continue to build relationships with families and create smooth transitions for students who are entering the school system. I support the creation of the Parent Ambassador program to help recruit and retain families in DPS.
How can DPS better support teachers and other staff and reduce turnover?
Recruiting and retaining great staff is a high priority of the school system. During my tenure, I have approved budgets that have increased salaries of our educators. DPS’ superintendent’s budget for the 2022-23 school year includes increasing teacher supplements. I have also advocated for providing educators with meeting free time for lesson planning and connecting with families. I also believe by providing mentoring support for beginning teachers, opportunities for professional growth and a culture that empowers educators, we can retain great staff.
Describe one idea you would like the school board to consider even though it might not be universally popular.
The board needs to consider how we can work to increase pay among our classified workers. We achieved a minimum of $15/hr this past school year and moved our bus drivers to $17/hr in the fall of 2021. This area needs attention and will require intentional conversations about how to get it done.
How can DPS partner with charter schools or learn from their examples?
Charter schools are a part of the educational landscape. I believe there are opportunities to learn best practices from each other and partnerships around operational support.
This story was originally published April 25, 2022 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Bettina Umstead, candidate for Durham school board."