School board

Board of Education, New Hanover County Schools

Vote for: 4
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 8
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A board of education member helps set policy, the budget and the superintendent's direction for New Hanover County Schools.

Candidates Compare by issue

Amy Dunning

Republican

Teacher

The gist

Supports advocating for competitive teacher pay
Supports the 10-year facilities sustainability plan
Supports reducing unnecessary classroom technology use
Supports more resources for school arts programs
Supports districtwide review of book challenges, not automatic removal

More about Amy

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Supports advocating for competitive teacher pay
Republican challenger Amy Dunning is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I plan to address teacher salary concerns by being a strong advocate for competitive, sustainable compensation at both the state and local levels.”
Supports the 10-year facilities sustainability plan
Republican challenger Amy Dunning is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I support the development of a 10-year sustainability plan.”
Supports reducing unnecessary classroom technology use
Republican challenger Amy Dunning is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I support studying how much time students spend on screens and looking for opportunities to decrease unnecessary technology use in the classroom.”
Supports more resources for school arts programs
Republican challenger Amy Dunning is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“One area I would have liked to see receive greater attention is strengthening the arts.”
Supports districtwide review of book challenges, not automatic removal
Republican challenger Amy Dunning is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“a parent challenge at one school should trigger a district-wide review, but that does not necessarily mean the book should automatically be removed”

Wendy Dale

Democratic

Legal and corporate contracts manager

The gist

Proposes free breakfast and lunch for every student
Supports a needs-based, multi-year approach to school funding
Supports a transparent, data-driven 10-year sustainability plan
Supports modernizing school kitchens and cafeterias
Opposes automatic districtwide removal of challenged books

More about Wendy

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Proposes free breakfast and lunch for every student
Democratic challenger Wendy Dale is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“One policy change I would prioritize is making breakfast and lunch available at no charge to every NHCS student.”
Supports a needs-based, multi-year approach to school funding
Democratic challenger Wendy Dale is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I would advocate for a needs-based, multi-year approach to school funding.”
Supports a transparent, data-driven 10-year sustainability plan
Democratic challenger Wendy Dale is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“Yes. I support developing a 10-year sustainability plan because responsible stewardship of public resources is essential.”
Supports modernizing school kitchens and cafeterias
Democratic challenger Wendy Dale is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“One capital need I would have liked to see addressed more directly is the modernizing of school kitchens and cafeteria infrastructure”
Opposes automatic districtwide removal of challenged books
Democratic challenger Wendy Dale is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“A challenge at one school should not automatically result in district-wide removal of a book.”

Chris Sutton

Republican

Maintenance technician

The gist

Proposes a policy releasing the maximum information state law allows
Proposes faster handling of public records requests
Supports consolidating campuses to reduce facility costs
Supports scaling back classroom technology use
Supports applying book decisions consistently across the district

More about Chris

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Proposes a policy releasing the maximum information state law allows
Republican challenger Chris Sutton is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I would support a transparency policy directing the administration to release the maximum amount of information permitted under state law”
Proposes faster handling of public records requests
Republican challenger Chris Sutton is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“We should never again have records requests pending for more than a year, as occurred in recent years.”
Supports consolidating campuses to reduce facility costs
Republican challenger Chris Sutton is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I agree that consolidation of campuses could help reduce the costs associated with maintaining and operating a large number of facilities.”
Supports scaling back classroom technology use
Republican challenger Chris Sutton is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I believe we went too far with technology use in our district”
Supports applying book decisions consistently across the district
Republican challenger Chris Sutton is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“if a book is determined to not be grade appropriate by the district then it should be adjusted for the entire district to provide consistency”

Brittnei LaRue

Democratic

Financial professional

The gist

Proposes a standing board agenda item on student achievement
Supports a 10-year plan without presuming school closures
Supports balanced, age-appropriate classroom technology use
Supports resolving a permanent Isaac Bear Early College facility
Opposes automatic districtwide action on book challenges

More about Brittnei

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Proposes a standing board agenda item on student achievement
Democratic challenger Brittnei LaRue is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“establishing student achievement and progress toward the district's goals as a required standing agenda item at regular board of education meetings”
Supports a 10-year plan without presuming school closures
Democratic challenger Brittnei LaRue is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“Yes. I support developing a 10-year sustainability plan, but I would not begin with the assumption that particular schools should close.”
Supports balanced, age-appropriate classroom technology use
Democratic challenger Brittnei LaRue is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I support a balanced, age-appropriate approach to technology in classrooms.”
Supports resolving a permanent Isaac Bear Early College facility
Democratic challenger Brittnei LaRue is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“a permanent facility for Isaac Bear Early College resolved in time for a viable project to be included in the bond”
Opposes automatic districtwide action on book challenges
Democratic challenger Brittnei LaRue is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“A challenge at one school should not automatically trigger a districtwide response.”

Jerry Jones, Jr.

Democratic

Environmental chemist; bookstore owner

The gist

Proposes treating schools as essential infrastructure in growth planning
Proposes reducing teachers' non-instructional duties
Supports minimizing screen time for younger students
Supports pursuing more Endowment funding for schools
Supports incentives keeping experienced educators in high-need schools

More about Jerry

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Proposes treating schools as essential infrastructure in growth planning
Democratic challenger Jerry Jones, Jr. is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 22, 2026 · whqr.org
“Schools should be treated as essential infrastructure, just like roads, water, sewer and housing.”
Proposes reducing teachers' non-instructional duties
Democratic challenger Jerry Jones, Jr. is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 22, 2026 · whqr.org
“I would ask the district to identify non-instructional tasks that could appropriately be reassigned, consolidated or supported in other ways.”
Supports minimizing screen time for younger students
Democratic challenger Jerry Jones, Jr. is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 22, 2026 · whqr.org
“For younger students, especially, I would favor minimizing screen time and emphasizing direct instruction, reading, writing, discussion and hands-on learning.”
Supports pursuing more Endowment funding for schools
Democratic challenger Jerry Jones, Jr. is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 22, 2026 · whqr.org
“I also believe our current school board has not been aggressive enough in pursuing Endowment funding”
Supports incentives keeping experienced educators in high-need schools
Democratic challenger Jerry Jones, Jr. is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 22, 2026 · whqr.org
“shifting our emphasis from short-term performance bonuses toward incentives that encourage experienced educators and staff to remain in our highest-need schools”

Margie Gewirtzman

Democratic

Acupuncturist

The gist

Proposes repealing the board's classroom flag and picture ban
Opposes using public school money for private school vouchers
Supports the school bond referendum
Opposes the new single-committee book challenge process
Supports a study of classroom screen time

More about Margie

View sources (1)

Proposes repealing the board's classroom flag and picture ban
Democratic challenger Margie Gewirtzman is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“My top policy change would be to roll back the hurtful and culturally divisive policy instituted by the board two years ago”
Opposes using public school money for private school vouchers
Democratic challenger Margie Gewirtzman is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“Stop siphoning public school monies to pay for private school vouchers for families that can afford it”
Supports the school bond referendum
Democratic challenger Margie Gewirtzman is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“The first thing we must all do is support the school bond referendum on this year's ballot!”
Opposes the new single-committee book challenge process
Democratic challenger Margie Gewirtzman is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I disagree with this new process.”
Supports a study of classroom screen time
Democratic challenger Margie Gewirtzman is running for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I think it’s a good idea to have a study on screen time in classrooms.”

Pat Bradford

RepublicanIncumbent

New Hanover County Board of Education member; retired publisher

The gist

Proposes lifting the state cap on special-education funding
Supports the $320.5 million school bond
Voted for the 10-year facilities sustainability plan
Supports less classroom screen time and firm AI guardrails
Supports settling book challenges once for the whole district

More about Pat

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Proposes lifting the state cap on special-education funding
Republican Pat Bradford is running for reelection to the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“Fix how the state funds our exceptional children. North Carolina caps Exceptional Children funding at 13 percent of a district's enrollment.”
Supports the $320.5 million school bond
Republican Pat Bradford is running for reelection to the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I would rather pass a responsible $320.5 million bond that voters can afford than a larger one that fails.”
Voted for the 10-year facilities sustainability plan
Republican Pat Bradford is running for reelection to the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“Yes. I voted for it … we can take the facts to the taxpayers and let them see what we see.”
Supports less classroom screen time and firm AI guardrails
Republican Pat Bradford is running for reelection to the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“Less screen, more paper and more people.”
Supports settling book challenges once for the whole district
Republican Pat Bradford is running for reelection to the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“A challenge should be settled once for the district and I think that is the right call for three reasons.”

Josie Barnhart

RepublicanIncumbent

New Hanover County Board of Education member; mathematics educator

The gist

Supports tiered limits on classroom screen time
Supports a weighted student funding model
Supports the 10-year facilities sustainability plan
Supports redistricting based on optimizing school facilities
Supports increasing county capital funding for schools

More about Josie

View sources (1)

Supports tiered limits on classroom screen time
Republican Josie Barnhart is running for reelection to the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I support a tiered technology-use model in which younger children spend very little time on screens during the week.”
Supports a weighted student funding model
Republican Josie Barnhart is running for reelection to the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I personally support a weighted student funding model.”
Supports the 10-year facilities sustainability plan
Republican Josie Barnhart is running for reelection to the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I do support this process. As a district, overall enrollment has slowly been declining”
Supports redistricting based on optimizing school facilities
Republican Josie Barnhart is running for reelection to the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“The lens I would use is optimization of facilities.”
Supports increasing county capital funding for schools
Republican Josie Barnhart is running for reelection to the New Hanover County School Board
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I have worked with our county commissioners to increase school funding every year since being on the board.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 4 issues covered in this race.