The two Republican challengers facing New Hanover County Board of Education incumbents Janice Cavenaugh, Don Hayes and Ed Higgins in the May 6 primary election share a singular purpose: public service.
Bruce Shell’s career was spent in county government.
Jim Brumit made his way in the private sector, as a general manager of two large area plants and as a small business owner.
Both retirees agree that now that they have the time, it’s time to give back.
Shell and Brumit, along with the three incumbents, are vying for four seats on the local school board. The winners of the primary run against three Democrats–Emma Saunders, Chris Meek and Tom Gale–in the November general election.
Bruce Shell
In his 25 years with New Hanover County, Shell learned one important lesson: Relationships are what matter most.
Shell is the county’s former finance director and internal auditor. He retired in 2012 after spending seven years as county manager. He came out of retirement briefly in 2013 to serve as interim manager for the Town of Carolina Beach.
In his roles with the county, Shell spent a lot of time with school district officials.
“I worked closely with the school system in financial ways, as well as the bond issues we’ve had over the years because the county owns the debts and sells the debt,” he noted.
But most importantly, he said, he helped forge a connection between the two entities.
“We worked on building a relationship when I was manager…About once a month I would meet with the superintendent and the chairman and vice chairman of each board,” Shell said. “I’ve found that the relationships that you have with elected officials are what make the difference.”
With another hefty bond issue on the table in November, Shell believes his background would be a bonus for the school board.
“I really think I could bring a perspective that is unique,” he said.
And he understands the difficulties in budgeting during tight economic times. He said he has been hit hard by the struggles teachers are going through due to salary freezes and state mandates, such as the elimination of tenure.
“Morale is critical to the success of an organization. You know, though, we went through the toughest recession since the Great Depression. Even as county manager, I cut [school district] funding pretty deeply, as I cut the county’s funding. I feel more pain there than most, some of which I kind of self-inflicted in my role.
“Mandates are very real. Eighty-five percent of what county government does is mandated, probably even more so with the school systems. That’s why relationships are so important. I think it’s a bad plan to go in and give merit pay to a small percentage of your people. Of course, you don’t want to lose good teachers and you want to be able to recruit good teachers. But I don’t see how in the world you can do it that way and not have some very significant morale problems,” he said.
While he acknowledges his expertise would be an asset on the board of education, Shell said that experience is not as crucial as enthusiasm.
“I decided to run because people called and asked me to run. And I really thought I could make a difference. I know that’s corny but I think I can,” he said. “I think the board of education has to provide a very positive leadership with community and staff, with all employees, so you move together to focus on what you do well and minimize what you don’t do well. That was my approach with New Hanover County…I do believe it’s going to take a very solid, positive, energetic approach so the school system can do the best it can do.”
If elected, Shell’s priorities include increasing local supplements for teachers and raising the current 82 percent graduation rate.
More about Shell can be found on his website.
Jim Brumit
Like Shell, Brumit is committed to making a difference in his community.
“I’ve lived in New Hanover County for almost 40 years. I have grandchildren in the school system,” he said. “I think our school system can do better than what it is right now.”
And, as with Shell, Brumit believes one area that needs to improve is reducing the number of dropouts.
He has a solution.
“We need to start looking ahead…We need more vocational training, a lot more,” he said. “There are a lot of people, a lot of young adults, who should not be going to a four-year college. There are a lot of young adults who would rather get skills and go to work and get a decent job. We can help them do that by more attention to vocational training. Let’s give them an opportunity where they can achieve.”
In addition to his experience as a general manager, Brumit is a retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel. He also now owns and operates a tax preparation business.
“I have lot of leadership experience and management experience— especially in creating and implement budgets in private and public sectors,” he said.
Mostly, though, Brumit just wants to give back.
“For many, many years, because of my work schedule, I couldn’t give back. Now I can,” he said.
Brumit is already serving an appointed position on the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority board as secretary. He also is chairman of the board’s human resources committee and serves on the finance and executive committees. And he was appointed by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners to the board of equalization and review.
He tutors first-graders in reading and prepares taxes for senior citizens free of charge.
Brumit said his bid for school board is an extension of his volunteerism.
“That, and a belief that our schools can do better than what they are doing now for our kids, particularly our kids who are falling through the cracks,” he said.
In addition to vocational training, Brumit supports pay raises for educators and the $160 million bond referendum to build new schools and renovate existing ones.
Related story: Candidate profiles: New Hanover County school board
Hilary Snow is a reporter at Port City Daily. Reach her at (910) 772-6341 or [email protected].
