Deena Anita Hayes-Greene

Deena A. Hayes‑Greene is the incumbent member of the Guilford County Schools Board of Education representing District 8 and is seeking re‑election in the November 3, 2026 general election. Her current term runs through 2026, and the Democratic primary for the seat was cancelled, allowing her to advance automatically to the ballot [1].

Hayes‑Greene earned her bachelor’s degree from Guilford College in 2004, describing the campus as a “transformational experience” that sparked her first run for the school board while she was still a student [7]. She later co‑founded the Racial Equity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing inclusion and equity in education and beyond [7].

Her public service on the board began with a victory in the 2016 election, and she has been re‑elected in every subsequent cycle: winning the Democratic primary in 2018 with 69.9% of the vote and the general election with 100% of the vote [1]; securing a second term in 2022 with 11,583 votes [1]; and continuing to serve through 2026. Throughout her tenure she has held the chairmanship of the board multiple times, most recently being re‑elected chairwoman in December 2022 [8][10] and serving as chair during the 2020‑21 school year when the board approved an $829 million budget [9].

As chair, Hayes‑Greene has emphasized fiscal responsibility, equity, and safety. She led discussions on a district‑wide budget that balanced resources for academic programs with investments in student support services [9]. In 2023 she highlighted the need for “greater understanding and inclusion” at a Guilford Dialogues panel, noting that equity work must extend beyond schools into housing, health care, and other community sectors [7]. Following a wave of threatening emails and voicemails aimed at district leaders, she publicly addressed safety concerns and advocated for protective measures for staff and board members [11].

Hayes‑Greene’s public statements also reflect a pragmatic approach to partisan dynamics; in a 2023 opinion piece she expressed willingness to seat a Republican on the board, provided the candidate aligns with the board’s mission [12]. Her long‑standing involvement with the Racial Equity Institute and her repeated election as chair demonstrate a consistent focus on advancing equitable educational outcomes for all students in Guilford County.

Sources

• [1] Deena Hayes-Greene - Ballotpedia
• [5] Deena Hayes-Greene is running for District 8 school board seat
• [6] Deena Hayes-Greene narrowly reelected chair of Guilford school board
• [7] Deena Hayes-Greene '04 has spent the last two-plus decades
• [8] Deena Hayes-Greene elected as chair of Guilford school board
• [9] Guilford Board of Education reelects Deena Hayes-Greene as chairwoman and passes $829 million budget for the 2020-21 school year
• [10] Hayes-Greene reelected as chair of Guilford school board; Jenkins vice chairwoman
• [11] Guilford County Schools discusses safety after series of vitriolic emails and voicemails targeting district leaders, superintendent
• [12] Deena Hayes-Greene: We're ready to seat a Republican on the school board, just not this one