The News Reporter: Rouse and Byrd challenge Long for county school board

Cathy is retired, occasionally substitute teaching for the Columbus County and Whiteville City school systems. She previously held several jobs in the county, including with the Columbus County Department of Social Services, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, and the Columbus County DREAM Center. She also worked as a state regulator for the Cumberland Department of Social Services. 

Cathy C. Rouse's campaign for Columbus County Board of Education is her first run for public office.

Plans to modernize the school district with cutting-edge technology.

Supports including parents' perspectives in order to improve schools.

- Plans to modernize the school district with cutting-edge technology.
- Supports including parents' perspectives in order to improve schools.

School Facilities & Resources

As of June 9, 2025, Cathy C. Rouse did not have a website or any information online.

Access to Education

Plans to ensure the county is hiring professional educators.

- Plans to ensure the county is hiring professional educators.

Teachers

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

Ethics & Conduct

Cathy C. Rouse

Rouse and Byrd challenge Long for county school board

Cam is from the Hallsboro-Lake Waccamaw area. He received a law degree from the Appalachian School of Law. 

Cam owns and runs a farm. He previously worked as a lawyer.

Cam Byrd's campaign for the Columbus County Board of Education is his first run for public office.

As of June 9, 2025, Cam Byrd did not have a website or any information online.

Wants to offer teachers a competitive salary.

Supports lowering the number of students that each teacher works with.

- Wants to offer teachers a competitive salary.
- Supports lowering the number of students that each teacher works with.

Supports "explor[ing] possible interventions" for students with behavioral issues.

- Supports "explor[ing] possible interventions" for students with behavioral issues.

In 2019, Cam was suspended from practicing law for four years due to professional conduct violations.

- In 2019, Cam was suspended from practicing law for four years due to professional conduct violations.

Cam Byrd

The News Reporter, Long running unopposed for open county school board seat

Steve lives in Columbus County with his wife, Renee. 

Steve is retired. He previously worked as the vice president of operations at the Atlantic Telephone Membership Cooperative (ATMC). 

Ballotpedia, Columbus County Schools, North Carolina, elections

Steve Long currently serves as a member of the Columbus County Board of Education. He was elected to this position in 2020 and is serving his first term.

Said his third priority is working to establish maintenance plans for all county schools.

- Said his third priority is working to establish maintenance plans for all county schools.

Said during his 2020 election campaign, he wanted to run for member of the BOE to help improve the school district to provide students "the best education possible."

- Said during his 2020 election campaign, he wanted to run for member of the BOE to help improve the school district to provide students "the best education possible."

As of June 9, 2025, Steve Long did not have a website or any information online.

Said his second priority is advocating for high-speed internet access for teachers, staff, and students.

- Said his second priority is advocating for high-speed internet access for teachers, staff, and students.

During his 2020 election campaign, he said his first priority was ensuring students and staff and adequate COVID-19 protective equipment.

- During his 2020 election campaign, he said his first priority was ensuring students and staff and adequate COVID-19 protective equipment.

Steve Long

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 