Name as it appears on the ballot: Bryan Moore
Party affiliation: Republican. (Note: This is a nonpartisan race.)
Previous elected offices held: None
Age as of Election Day: 48
Immediate family members: Two sons
Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): real estate agent with BullDawg Homes LLC
Website and campaign social media:
1. The “Parents’ Bill of Rights” legislation has incorporated changes regarding education on health, gender identity and sexuality into state law. This year’s state superintendent race features a candidate who has discussed implementing additional measures that some critics call extreme. What’s your assessment of the state of public education in North Carolina?
As a supporter of the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” I believe public education in North Carolina is on a critical path toward improvement by focusing on transparency, parental involvement and accountability. While the state faces challenges such as teacher retention and funding disparities, the bill strengthens parents’ roles in guiding their children’s education. By giving parents more access to school records, library checkouts and curriculum content, the law fosters a stronger partnership between families and schools, ensuring that educational content aligns with family values. Additionally, restrictions on sensitive topics for younger students ensure that foundational learning remains focused on academic essentials while leaving more complex, personal discussions to parents.
That said, North Carolina must continue to address broader issues like teacher pay, resource allocation and supporting schools with the tools needed to thrive. Increased investment in public schools, combined with the accountability measures in the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” will create a balanced and more effective education system.
2. If you solely controlled the purse strings of Cumberland County and for the county’s school district, what changes would you implement to both help preserve your fund balance and best serve teachers and students?
If I controlled the purse strings for Cumberland County Schools, my first priority would be improving the appearance and facilities of our schools. A clean, well-maintained environment fosters pride and a positive atmosphere for learning. Next, I would invest in athletics, recognizing that sports not only build teamwork and discipline but also provide students with opportunities for scholarships and physical development.
Discipline would also be a central focus, ensuring that respect for teachers is reinstated. By creating a structured and respectful environment, we can enhance learning outcomes and ensure teachers feel valued and empowered to manage their classrooms effectively. Another important area is bringing back trade programs, allowing students to develop hands-on skills and preparing them for real-world careers right after high school.
Finally, I would pull electronics out of elementary and middle schools, returning to textbooks and encouraging face-to-face communication among students. The excessive use of electronics at a young age can hinder social and cognitive development, and bringing students back to physical books would strengthen critical thinking and personal interaction. This balanced approach would ensure that Cumberland County Schools focus on both academic and personal growth.
3. This community has long discussed constructing a new campus for E.E. Smith High School. What’s your solution for E.E. Smith High School?
I do not support moving E.E. Smith High School to Fort Liberty for several key reasons. First, when you look at the economic impact of building Jack Britt High School in Hope Mills back in 2002, it’s clear that the school brought significant economic development to the area. The growth around Jack Britt sparked new housing developments, retail centers and increased property values. Moving E.E. Smith to Fort Liberty, on the other hand, offers none of that potential. Fort Liberty, being a military base, would not benefit economically from having a high school there, and it would bring zero economic growth to the surrounding areas.
Additionally, moving the school would negatively affect property values in the current E.E. Smith neighborhood. Homes around the school are tied to its history and legacy, and relocating the school would lead to depreciation, which is not what we want for the community. My solution would be to temporarily move students to Reid Ross Classical School for two years while constructing a state-of-the-art facility on the current E.E. Smith grounds. There’s no need for 85 acres to build a high school; we could go vertical with the building to maximize space while maintaining its historical and cultural connection to the neighborhood. Its proximity to Fayetteville State University is also significant, symbolizing the school’s long-standing ties to the community on Murchison Road.
4. Declining enrollment and increasing absenteeism are both significant challenges for Cumberland County Schools. What’s your fix for both?
To address absenteeism and declining enrollment in public schools, we need to rethink both the physical environment and the student experience. First, beautifying schools is crucial. When a school’s exterior and interior are welcoming, clean and modern, it sends a message of pride and value to students and parents alike. A school that looks neglected discourages attendance and can even deter prospective students from enrolling. Investing in the aesthetics and infrastructure of our schools can improve morale and foster a sense of community.
Next, fostering a sense of personal responsibility and self-respect among students can make a big difference. Requiring students to dress properly for school — not in pajamas but in attire that reflects readiness to learn — can help set a serious, yet positive tone for the day. Encouraging students to take pride in their appearance instills discipline and can help shift the mentality from viewing school as a chore to seeing it as a place worth attending.
Moreover, we need to make schools more social and interactive again. Today, many students are glued to their cell phones and other devices, which diminishes real-life communication and connection. Encouraging in-person interaction through collaborative activities, clubs and less screen time can make school more engaging and help students form bonds that motivate them to attend regularly. Socialization is key to making school a fun and interactive space.
Finally, we need to rethink the focus on standardized testing. Many students feel that school is solely about passing tests, which can be uninspiring and push students toward alternatives like private schools. Instead, we should prioritize teaching real-life skills — things like financial literacy, problem-solving and trade skills.
5. Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright surprised officials this spring when he suddenly announced plans to pull school resource officers and traffic control officers from most public schools. What’s your take on his decision, and how would you approach a relationship with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office moving forward? And has the SRO issue been resolved to your satisfaction?
While I understand the Cumberland County Sheriff’s reasoning for reallocating school resource officers, I don’t agree with the timing or the lack of coordination with the board of education. The abruptness of the decision didn’t give the school system sufficient time to implement alternative solutions. However, there are viable paths forward. For instance, partnering with the Fayetteville police seems like a good fit, but the state needs to step up and provide more funding to ensure the program is effective.
Another potential solution is for the school board to create its own police force. This could involve recruiting retired officers who are still certified, allowing for a dedicated and experienced security team within the schools. Additionally, introducing a junior Basic Law Enforcement Training program in high schools could serve as a bridge between students and law enforcement. This would not only help foster positive relationships but also give students valuable career insights.
Bringing back student hall monitors, who can assist with bathroom checks and overall supervision, is another idea that would improve security while promoting responsibility among students. A hybrid model that integrates law enforcement and student involvement could be the comprehensive approach we need to ensure safety in schools without causing disruption.