Natalie Bent Kitaif

Current office and 2026 campaign

Natalie Bent Kitaif won the Durham Public Schools Board of Education District 1 seat in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary, receiving 68.7 percent of the vote over two other candidates.

Kitaif supports restorative discipline practices, a $25-per-hour minimum wage for district employees, expanded school funding sources including asking Duke University to make payments to Durham in lieu of property taxes, financial accountability, and strengthened student safety. She is a vocal advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within Durham Public Schools.

Background and education

Kitaif is a lifelong Durham resident and Durham Public Schools graduate. She attended Guilford College for her undergraduate studies and later pursued graduate work in public health.

Career

Kitaif works as a public health professional with a focus on maternal and child health. Her background is in research and consulting, and she brings a systems-level analytical approach to education governance.

When federal immigration agents arrived in Durham in late 2024, Kitaif participated in community efforts to protect students, facilitating rides for vulnerable families and delivering necessities. She was endorsed by the Durham Association of Educators, the People's Alliance, and the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People.

Family

Kitaif is the mother of two daughters enrolled in a DPS elementary school. She has been closely involved in school-level organizing on issues of student safety and teacher working conditions.

Sources