NEW HANOVER COUNTY — With four seats open on the all-Republican New Hanover County Board of Education, this election year could bring major changes to the majority-veteran board.
Between Hurricane Florence spending and pending school redistricting decisions, this year’s elected members will be tasked with major issues.
The school board’s current chairman, Ed Higgins, was unseated in this year’s primary after serving the board for 24 years. Janice Cavenaugh, a board veteran with 35 years under her belt, is vying for re-election. Cavenaugh secured the last spot on the ballot in May while two other veteran board members — Don Hayes and Bruce Shell — earned the third and second-most votes.
Notably, a newcomer, Bill Rivenbark, beat out four sitting board members and two newcomers, earning the most votes in the primary. Rivenbark is a registered Republican and is the brother of current Wilmington City Councilman Charlie Rivenbark.
Since there was no Democratic primary election, newcomers Stefanie Adams, Nelson Beaulieu, Elena Rosemond-Hoerr and Judy Justice will appear on ballots for the first time next month.
To make things simple, Port City Daily has arranged an election matrix for readers to navigate. If you’re using mobile, use two fingers to scroll through to the candidate’s responses.
CANDIDATE ELECTION MATRIX – REPUBLICANS
| Janice Cavenaugh |
Don
Hayes |
Bill Rivenbark | Bruce Shell | |
| Biggest issue | issue | issue | issue | issue |
| Budget | budget | budget | budget | budget |
| Michael Kelly | Kelly | Kelly | Kelly | Kelly |
| Student body | student body | student body | student body | student body |
| Redistricting | districts | districts | districts | districts |
| Veteran board | veteran | veteran | veteran | veteran |
| Overcrowding | crowding | crowding | crowding | crowding |
| Charter schools | charters | charters | charters | charters |
| RiverLights | new school | new school | new school | new school |
CANDIDATE ELECTION MATRIX – DEMOCRATS
| Stefanie Adams | Nelson Beaulieu | Elena Rosemond-
Hoerr |
Judy Justice | |
| Biggest issue | issue | issue | issue | issue |
| Budget | budget | budget | budget | budget |
| Michael Kelly | Kelly | Kelly | Kelly | Kelly |
| Student body | student body | student body | student body | student body |
| Redistricting | districts | districts | districts | districts |
| Veteran board | veteran | veteran | veteran | veteran |
| Overcrowding | crowding | crowding | crowding | crowding |
| Charter schools | charters | charters | charters | charters |
| RiverLights | new school | new school | new school | new school |
Send tips and comments to Johanna Ferebee at johanna@localvoicemedia.com