BRUNSWICK COUNTY — Republican Steven Barger is hoping to be re-elected to the district 4 Brunswick County Board of Education seat.
READ MORE: What to expect when voting in NC during the 2024 election season
Barger has spent almost two decades serving the public as a firefighter, paramedic and in law enforcement and been in elected positions for seven years. He was mayor pro tem for three years on the City of Boiling Spring Lakes Board of Commissioners and in 2020, he was elected to the Brunswick County Board of Education and appointed vice chair in year one and currently serves as chair.
“My passion for servant leadership drives me to enrich the lives of those around me. I have led through numerous crises as both a first responder and in public office,” Barger said.
He faces off against Democratic candidate Janis Simmons in district 4.
Barger promises to be a voice for families, increase school infrastructure and modernize it, and advocate for increased pay.
| What Jonathan Damico is… • Listening to: What day is it?! I listen to a lot of different music, depends on activity and mood. A steady supply of indie rock, jazz, Americana etc. I also dive into podcasts occasionally, recently really liking Hometown Holler re NC politics and some other spiritual/churchy stuff. • Watching: Patiently awaiting the return of the NHL season. I had a handful of people tell me I reminded them if “Ted Lasso,” so I recently binged that and found that comparison to be incredibly kind and slightly overwhelming. • Reading: I haven’t dived into a new book in a while, but I have a few old favorites that I’ll open when the mood strikes, and I have a pile of them on my list regarding a lot of issues we are facing in our world — specifically housing and food insecurity. | |
Absentee ballots are already being mailed and early voting opens mid-October. Locations in Brunswick County include:
- Government Center Location: Brunswick County Cooperative Extension: 25 Referendum Drive NE, Building N, Bolivia
- Leland Cultural Arts Center: 1212 Magnolia Village Way, Leland
- Oak Island Moose Lodge: 4239 Long Beach Road SE, Southport
- Brunswick Center at Supply: 101 Stone Chimney Road SE, Supply
- Brunswick Center at Shallotte: 3620 Express Drive, Shallotte
- Sunset Beach Community Center: 200 Station Trail, Sunset Beach
Voters will be able to cast ballots at any of the above places and can register to vote beforehand; see all early-voting hours here.
Election Day is Nov. 5, with polls opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m. All voters will have to go to their precinct to cast a ballot, as shown on their voter registry.
An ID must be presented to cast a ballot in the election. Acceptable forms of ID include NC drivers license or state ID, U.S. passport, college or student university ID, some state employee IDs and out-of-state drivers license or ID, as long as voter registration was done within 90 days of the election. IDs not in good standing can be expired by one year or less.
Port City Daily has compiled candidate questionnaires so voters can read up on contenders’ stances before heading to the polls this election season. All answers have been edited only for clarity; the candidates’ opinions and statements are not a reflection of Port City Daily.
The paywall is dropped on profiles to help voters make informed decisions ahead of the election.
Port City Daily: What are the top three items you’re campaigning on this season and why?
Steven Barger: 1. Being a voice for families, as the only candidate with children currently in public schools.
2. Increasing school system infrastructure by building new facilities and modernizing current ones.
3. Advocating for increased pay for all school system staff at the state level.
PCD: Name an issue you struggle to find a solution for that affects your district and how would you go about determining a path forward? If you have a personal anecdote to share that has helped guide you in deciding how to move forward, please, share.
SB: The biggest challenge is managing overcrowding in schools. Our district has invested in land assets and secured funding for a new elementary school in Leland. However, rapid growth in our county necessitates additional elementary schools, a middle school, and at least one high school.
PCD: In March, the board voted to implement a Yondr pouch pilot program to limit classroom distractions amid rapid technological growth. Some parents have pushed back worrying over security measures, particularly when it comes to reaching their kids during emergency situations. Do you support the program? Explain.
SB: I support the pilot program at the schools currently testing it. New initiatives often come with data that doesn’t perfectly fit our specific school system. I have observed the program multiple times, and it seems to be working well. Most parents have adjusted, and it’s become part of the normal day. Concerns about emergency communication are valid, but in reasonable situations, phones can be accessed. I look forward to evaluating the data to determine the program’s feasibility district-wide.
PCD: As a school board member, where do you think the balance is between leaning into parental feedback and executing programs that staff and educators have advocated for?
SB: Collaboration is the most valuable tool in public sector agencies, including our school system. I believe the best schools are formed through partnerships with educators, parents, and community members. Diversity is crucial, and our school board should reflect a mix of educators, parents, business leaders, and concerned citizens. As the only board member with children in the school system, I feel my voice representing the parent community is vitally important.
PCS: Do you think the district is adequately staffed? What positions would you like to see prioritized and/or deprioritized, and what should the board do to create a better working environment for its employees? How would you address a shortage of EC and STEM-related teachers in the county, and what would you do to prioritize retention of teachers in this field?
SB: Staffing shortages are a significant challenge. During my tenure, we have raised local teacher supplements every year, making us one of the top 10 in North Carolina. We have also increased salaries for principals, assistant principals, and classified staff, along with bonuses. While money isn’t the only solution, we continue to improve working conditions and reduce administrative burdens passed down from state and federal education departments.
PCD: Would you support another bond referendum? How much do you think would be needed and what would you want the money to be used for?
SB: Yes, another bond will be necessary for future school projects. The board has purchased land for a new elementary school in Leland, with options for more land acquisition. This school is currently funded without a bond, but we also need a high school in the Supply area, where Brunswick County donated land. Additionally, a middle school and another elementary school will be needed in 10-15 years. Funding these projects will exceed our current budget, and it is challenging to determine the exact bond amounts needed due to fluctuating construction costs.
PCD: The recent potential tropical cyclone left upward of 50 teachers and staff stranded in schools. While the schools made the decision to close to students, it was an optional workday for staff. Do you support this decision? Explain. As scientists and meteorologists claim storms will intensify due to a warming climate, do you think policies should be reconsidered when it comes to planning for storms? Explain how.
SB: I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our staff and community. The forecast underestimated rainfall totals, and even seasoned meteorologists and emergency managers didn’t foresee this. Staff spending the night in buildings is a major issue. The superintendent made the best decision he could with the information available at the time. The heavy rainfall made bus travel dangerous, especially in the dark. While we wouldn’t make the same decision today, the lesson is to support staff in all ways possible. I authored a letter to the North Carolina General Assembly asking for extended remote options for students and forgiveness for staff’s lost time. I will always fight for our students and staff as we improve public education in Brunswick County.
PCD: What is the current board of education getting right? Wrong?
BS: Our board actively engages all stakeholders in Brunswick County. We welcome input from staff, parents, and the community, using it to make informed decisions. The school system belongs to the community, and I take my responsibility to serve and create excellent outcomes seriously. I have worked hard to remove the stigma that success is only associated with attending a 4-year college. We desperately need skilled trades in our area, and we have invested in many Career and Technical Education programs to prepare students for employment, the military, college, or any other dreams they may have.
Read Barger’s primary Q&A from Port City Daily here to learn more on where he stands on issues facing the district.
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