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Position/philosophy statement
I believe in fully funding our public schools, ensuring fair and inclusive policies, and meeting the emotional and social, as well as the academic needs, of students.
Current Occupation
contracts specialist in the technology industry
Campaign Phone
910-228-9939
I am a lifelong resident of North Carolina and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I have over 20 years of experience in business and law. I currently work remotely in the technology industry as a contracts reviewer and negotiator. The skills gained in this work are highly transferable to a public role such as the Board of Education, which requires detailed analysis of issues, negotiation, decision-making, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills. I also have the personal experience of raising a special needs child. I understand firsthand the role public schools play in supporting families and educating children.
The school board is responsible for implementing the sizable budget and deciding policy for a public school system that is one of the largest employers in the county. The gravity of this job is enormous. Transparency, attention to detail, smart decision-making, communication skills, and ethical boundaries are essential.
Teacher and staff pay should be competitive and equitable and at the very minimum should constitute a living wage in the county in which they work. Additional resources should also be provided to those schools with the greatest need for additional teachers and staff. Facilities must also be regularly maintained to avoid future additional expenditure due to deferred maintenance.
I would make sure teachers with advanced degrees are paid extra for having such qualifications, and that districts also require an adequate number of staff support such as counselors and social workers to assist in the work of educating students. Competitive benefits should also be offered as well as perks and local teacher discounts.
Pre-kindergarten is very important as it prepares students for elementary school and gives them a social advantage as they learn to make friends at an early age. It also relieves some of the stress of parenting which has a positive impact on the families and subsequently on a child's readiness to learn.
I am opposed to book bans and believe that teachers should be trusted to select appropriate materials for their classes. I would like to see discipline policies that emphasize impactful relationships between the students and their teachers and support staff. Meeting the emotional, social, and mental health needs of the child should take precedence over punitive measures, and out of school suspension should be avoided as much as possible, particularly with young kids. School boards should refrain as much as possible from partisan politics and focus instead on the work of educating kids.
Position/philosophy statement
Advocacy in Action with Collaborative Determination
Current Occupation
Acupuncturist
Age (optional)
45
Campaign Phone
910-406-8606
My 18 years of advocating in the public school setting, on behalf of my three children whom all have special needs, has given me great insight in to the barriers that directly affect the ability of these systems to provide the equitable and accessible education needed. I have lived a life of service, volunteering to serve as chair, board member, treasurer, president at the Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Israel and Women of Reformed Judaism of Southwest District; I served as an election judge for Austin, Texas general elections. Since moving to Wilmington, I have volunteered to canvass multiple years for candidates, serve as secretary for democratic precinct W33, and the chair for the Spring Carnival Silent Auction at BCES.
The most important responsibilities of a school board member:
1) Create and uphold policies that ensures a safe and accessible learning environment for students and staff.
2) Support and collaborate with the Super Intendent so that blocks in providing that environment can be addressed in informed and effective actions
3) Create inviting and accessible communications with all of our community members, which included accommodations for parents who have limitations such as extended work hours, travel barriers, and language barriers.
4) Advocate at the local, state and federal levels for the funding and policies needed to support our county's needs so we can provide that free and equitable public education safely to every child in NHC.
Our most critical needs are staffing at every school but especially staffing at our schools with high enrolment of EC children and high Ace scores.
Applying for Grants that can fund a security vetting and safety training program that we can quickly and safely process and deploy the rich adult retired community and collage community of volunteers through so that kids can access one on one reading tutoring.
Restaffing teacher assistance back but prioritizing the restaffing to the schools that have the highest numbers of EC students first.
Funding for a dedicated staff of grant writers who can both be applying for and training community members on how to successfully apply for grants so that we can build that funding source.
Create more effective pathways to allow the creation and deployment of a safe strong volunteer community for the teachers - especially the teachers in the school whom are struggling the most and where the economic barriers prevent parents from providing that volunteer support. We can also incentivize with retention bonuses but more money can not solve desperate burn out. Staffing with realistic teacher to student rations that support success for everyone is a more enticing invitation.
The national studies all show overwhelming long term benefits to students who have access to pre-kindergarten verses peers whom did not have that same access. It is imperative to our community that we provide Pre-Kindergarten to our district.
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Position/philosophy statement
I believe strong public schools are built through disciplined governance, transparency, and focus on students and families. The board’s role is policy, oversight, and accountability so schools stay stable and well run.
Current Occupation
Financial Professional
Age (optional)
39
I bring a strong governance and fiduciary skill set to this role, with professional experience reviewing budgets, evaluating risk, and making disciplined, data-informed decisions. I have spent months listening to families, educators, and community members across New Hanover County and studying district policy, finance, and board responsibilities. I understand the school board’s role in setting policy, overseeing the budget, hiring and supporting the superintendent, and ensuring accountability. My approach is steady, prepared, and focused on long-term stability so our schools remain well-run, trusted, and centered on student success.
The most important responsibilities of a school board member are governance and oversight. This includes setting and updating district policy, approving and overseeing the budget, hiring and supporting the superintendent, and ensuring accountability for district performance. Board members must stay focused on their role, respect professional educators, and avoid managing daily operations. Strong boards listen to the community, ask informed questions, and make thoughtful, transparent decisions that keep schools stable, well-run, and centered on student learning.
The district’s most critical needs are stability in staffing, safe and well-maintained facilities, and consistent academic support for students. Within available state and local funding, priorities must focus first on core instructional and operational needs. The board’s responsibility is to provide careful budget oversight, evaluate tradeoffs, and ensure resources are aligned with enrollment, student needs, and measurable outcomes. Disciplined governance and transparency protect classrooms, support educators, and provide families with confidence in a stable, well-run school system.
Recruiting and retaining qualified teachers depends on stable systems, clear expectations, and responsible resource allocation. While recruitment and training are operational responsibilities of district leadership, the board’s role is to set policy, approve budgets, and provide oversight that supports staffing stability. This includes prioritizing competitive compensation within available funding, ensuring safe and well-maintained schools, monitoring vacancy and retention data, and holding the superintendent accountable for effective staffing strategies. Strong governance creates the conditions that help educators choose to stay and succeed.
Early childhood education plays an important role in preparing students for long-term academic success. Pre-Kindergarten programs can support early literacy, social-emotional development, and smoother transitions into elementary school. The school board’s role is not to manage programs, but to provide policy direction, budget oversight, and accountability to ensure any Pre-K offerings are aligned with district goals, evidence-based practices, and available state and local funding. Thoughtful governance helps ensure early learning investments are effective, sustainable, and serve families well.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Position/philosophy statement
I believe in free basic public education for all children that provides opportunities that meet the needs of each individual in order they achieve their highest potential.
Current Occupation
Dean of Performing Arts
Campaign Phone
2022764108
Rick Southerland is a native Wilmingtonian who attended New Hanover County Public Schools from kindergarten through graduation and is a seasoned educator of 30 years, having served as a certified teacher in North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, as well as an administrator in nonprofit organizations and higher education. He has also served as an Associate Professor of Dance Education overseeing state credentialing for teachers, a researcher and writer for national teacher assessments and national standards, a consultant for higher education program accreditation, and on the boards of national organizations, including as Past President of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO).
A Board of Education and its members are responsible for voting on policy and vote on a system's school budget with ALL students centered to ensure basic education is administered equitably and is equally met in each school, leaving no child in any school and their unique needs left unmet including adequate and appropriate staffing, funding, and supports. This include reminding the state of their obligation to fully fund ALL schools (salaries, workforce development, facilities and maintenance, and infrastructure), reminding county government to financially support attracting the best workforce and enhance services, and reminding other funding sources (business, endowments, etc.) to investing in schools to add innovative opportunities.
Funding for educator salaries to be able to live in New Hanover County, ensuring workforce development for educators specific to their expertise, and restore the promise of education by returning educator voices to the curriculum.
Ensure the state acts on their promise by fully funding the public schools, demonstrated respect of educators to be able to do their jobs and allow for them to make curricular decisions including content taught that does reflect our students unique backgrounds and prevent banning of books from classrooms and libraries, and provide professional development explicit to their expertise.
I believe in early education to prepare our learners to reach their fullest potential through their public education journey's. I support initiatives like HeadStart and SmartStart so that our children are well prepared and supported.
As a proud graduate of New Hanover County Public Schools as NC was making waves to become a leading state for public education and having taught in various school systems around NC when it was the top education state in the country, I am running to make the change necessary, with common sense policies, and innovative solutions to take us from where we stand now - LAST - back to where we were - FIRST - and beyond!
