Nadeen Bir running for Durham school board

Activist and nonprofit leader seeks to address DPS budget, HR issues and support workers' rights

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Nadeen Bir, a co-founder of the Mothers* for Ceasefire group and co-executive director of Press On South, is running for the Durham Public Schools board. Bir, who has two children in DPS, believes her nonprofit experience will help her tackle the district's financial and human resources challenges. She is part of a slate endorsed by the Durham Association of Educators and other local progressive groups.

Why it matters

Bir's campaign is part of a broader effort to bring new leadership and a focus on student wellbeing, budget transparency, and workers' rights to the Durham school board. As a first-time candidate, she represents a shift from the incumbent board members.

The details

Bir, who immigrated to the U.S. from Palestine as a child, is running for the District 2 seat on the Durham school board. She helped create the Mothers* for Ceasefire group to advocate for Palestinian human rights, and currently serves as co-executive director of the nonprofit Press On South. Bir believes her nonprofit experience will help her address DPS's financial and HR issues, which she calls 'severe.' She also wants to focus on student safety and wellbeing, as well as supporting teachers and staff with living wages and grievance policies.

  • Bir is running in the 2026 Durham school board election.
  • Federal ICE raids in Durham in fall 2025 prompted Bir to help support affected families.

The players

Nadeen Bir

Co-founder of Mothers* for Ceasefire and co-executive director of Press On South, a nonprofit southern collective for movement journalism. Bir is running for the District 2 seat on the Durham school board.

Bettina Umstead

Incumbent Durham school board member who Bir is running against for the District 2 seat.

Rachel Waltz

Also running for the District 2 Durham school board seat alongside Bir and Umstead.

Ruby Sinreich

One of Bir's campaign managers.

Brigid Flaherty

Bir's other campaign manager, who has known her for nearly 20 years.

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What they’re saying

“It's just one of many times she has stepped up to defend and advocate for others, which is the same thing she would do on the school board.”

— Ruby Sinreich, Campaign manager (9thstreetjournal.org)

“As a leader and as an organizer, I ask hard questions, listen to my community, and make brave decisions.”

— Nadeen Bir (9thstreetjournal.org)

“I couldn't be more proud to stand up here for Nadine because of how I know her.”

— Brigid Flaherty, Campaign manager (9thstreetjournal.org)

What’s next

The Durham school board election will be held in November 2026.

The takeaway

Bir's campaign represents an effort to bring new leadership and a focus on student wellbeing, budget transparency, and workers' rights to the Durham school board. As a first-time candidate with a background in activism and nonprofit work, she offers a different perspective from the incumbent board members.