Ballotpedia, David Perry

David is from New Hampshire. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Gordon College and a master's degree in education from Rivier University. He has 2 step daughters and 1 grandson. 

David previously worked in the information technology industry as a software engineer. He also worked as a teaching assistant and with disabled students. 

David Perry ran for state representative in District 19 in 2018 and 2020, but he did not win either race. 

Candidate website

Believes neighborhood schools must have equal facilities, learning materials, and quality of instruction. Plans to restrict large private donations to specific schools and rotate teachers to ensure educational equality.

Believes local schools must have equal level facilities, learning materials, and quality of instruction. 

Believes the school system wastes taxpayer dollars on "unnecessary and frivolous expenditures" while neglecting essential improvements to teacher/staff pay and facilities. Plans to address these issues if elected to the New Hanover County Board of Education.

Believes the school system wastes taxpayer dollars on "unnecessary and frivolous expenditures" while neglecting essential improvements to teacher/staff pay and facilities. 

Believes the school district should utilize grants that positively impact education but avoid those with unnecessary initiatives and restrictive conditions.

Believes the school district should utilize grants that positively impact education but avoid those with unnecessary initiatives and "string attached..."

Believes many local politicians and school administrators mistakenly think budget money belongs to them. Said, "It’s our money, and we have only entrusted it to their budgets on the assumption that they will invest it properly."

Believes many local politicians and school administrators "are under the false impression..." that school budget money belongs to them. 

Believes the exponential population growth in New Hanover County necessitates immediate planning for its impact on school facilities and resources. Supports proactive measures to address the anticipated strain on the school district.

Wants to plan accordingly for County population growth, stating it is "continuing to increase exponentially."

Believes a "lack of transparency" makes it difficult to assess wasteful spending in the school district. Plans to highlight known examples of wasteful spending and provide updates through a Video Blog and Campaign Newsletter.

Believes a "lack of transparency" makes it difficult to examine "wasteful spending" in the school district.

- Believes local schools must have equal level facilities, learning materials, and quality of instruction. 
- Believes the school system wastes taxpayer dollars on "unnecessary and frivolous expenditures" while neglecting essential improvements to teacher/staff pay and facilities. 
- Believes the school district should utilize grants that positively impact education but avoid those with unnecessary initiatives and "string attached..."
- Believes many local politicians and school administrators "are under the false impression..." that school budget money belongs to them. 
- Wants to plan accordingly for County population growth, stating it is "continuing to increase exponentially."
- Believes a "lack of transparency" makes it difficult to examine "wasteful spending" in the school district.

School Facilities & Resources

Believes large corporations are using school funding to replace traditional classrooms with technology for profit. Said, "corporations behind these private grants stand to make billions of dollars when our teachers are replaced with technology purchased from them with our tax dollars."

Believes large corporations are using school funding to "replace...teacher-led classrooms with Articifical Intelligence and online computer learning." 

Believes education is "the great social equalizer" and essential for overcoming poverty. Supports guaranteeing every child the right to a publicly funded education.

Believes education is "the great social equalizer" and essential for overcoming poverty. 

Believes children do not have a "natural right to a publicly funded education" and distinguishes between natural rights and government-granted entitlements.

Believes children have a "right to learn" but not a "right to a publicly funded education". 

Believes all parents should have access to an independent advocate to ensure their rights and concerns are addressed without needing to hire an attorney.

Wants to implement an "Independent Parent Advocate" plan to provide parental access to an independent advocate to help address concerns without needing to hire an attorney.

Believes an informal IEP process would benefit every student in the school system. Supports implementing an "IEP for Every Student" program despite resource limitations.

Wants informal IEP process plans despite resource limitations, saying it "would benefit every student in the school system." 

Believes public education should prioritize individual student success over collective societal goals.

Believes local school boards should ensure "the highest quality education possible" without infringing on students' rights.

Believes local school boards should ensure "the highest quality education possible" so state taxpayers receive the "most bang for their buck".

Supports parental rights in education, including school choice, vouchers, and charter schools.

- Believes large corporations are using school funding to "replace...teacher-led classrooms with Articifical Intelligence and online computer learning." 
- Believes education is "the great social equalizer" and essential for overcoming poverty. 
- Believes children have a "right to learn" but not a "right to a publicly funded education". 
- Wants to implement an "Independent Parent Advocate" plan to provide parental access to an independent advocate to help address concerns without needing to hire an attorney.
- Wants informal IEP process plans despite resource limitations, saying it "would benefit every student in the school system." 
- Believes public education should prioritize individual student success over collective societal goals.
- Believes local school boards should ensure "the highest quality education possible" so state taxpayers receive the "most bang for their buck".
- Supports parent's rights. 

Access to Education

Believes in addressing teacher shortages and retention by creating a long-term bonus fund. Plans to reward educators who excel, using funds from the hospital sale endowment.

Wants to address teacher shortages and retention. 

Believes assessing teacher performance based on student achievement of individualized goals is best. Plans to push for "generous pay performance incentives" for effective teachers and staff.

Believes teacher assessments and staff performance should depend on student achievement based on their individualized goals, and wants such evaluations to determine salary increases. 

Believes it is fiscally irresponsible to give all teachers a big raise without considering performance. Supports teacher pay scales based on degrees and years of service, supplemented by local districts.

Said "While almost all teachers and...staff have good intentions, not all are great at what they do. It would be fiscally irresponsible to simply give them all a big raise."

Believes teachers are the "lifeblood of our education system" and supports improving teacher pay to address shortages and enhance training.

Supports efforts to hire and retain teachers. 

Believes teachers should not live in near poverty due to their career choice. Plans to address financial issues to prevent teacher shortages.

Believes teachers should not need "live in near poverty" due to their career choice.

Believes teacher recruitment should focus on merit rather than diversity initiatives. Opposes spending taxpayer dollars on DEI programs and positions within the school district.

Believes teacher recruitment should focus on merit rather than diversity initiatives. 

- Wants to address teacher shortages and retention. 
- Believes teacher assessments and staff performance should depend on student achievement based on their individualized goals, and wants such evaluations to determine salary increases. 
- Said "While almost all teachers and...staff have good intentions, not all are great at what they do. It would be fiscally irresponsible to simply give them all a big raise."
- Supports efforts to hire and retain teachers. 
- Believes teachers should not need "live in near poverty" due to their career choice.
- Believes teacher recruitment should focus on merit rather than diversity initiatives. 

Teachers

Believes schools should focus on a traditional liberal arts curriculum, emphasizing science, math, language, literature, history, and social studies. Opposes turning schools into vocational training centers, suggesting such training be left to community colleges and technical schools.

Believes schools should focus on learning basic subjects, such as science, math, language, literature, history, and social studies, rather than turning schools "into vocational training centers."

Believes standardized tests fail to accurately measure student progress and lead to "teaching to the test." Supports individualized education plans to better assess student achievement and overall academic progress.

Wants to reduce the importance of standardized testing as a measure of student success.

Believes school libraries should contain "uncontroversial" and "age-appropriate" materials. Supports parents' rights to access controversial books at public libraries.

Opposes banning any book, but believes school libraries must contain "uncontroversial" and "age-appropriate" material. 

Believes teachers should send detailed syllabi to parents before the academic term and any revisions before they take effect. Supports transparency to allow parents to switch teachers or classes or opt-out of objectionable activities.

Believes teachers should send detailed syllabi to parents before the academic term and any revisions before they take effect to establish parent and teacher transparency and allow parents to have their child switch teachers or classes or opt-out of objectionable activities.

Believes students should learn "the entirety of U.S. history – the good, the bad, and the ugly." Said, "the Democratic Party... was the party of slavery and Jim Crow, and not the GOP."

Believes students should learn "the entirety of U.S. history – the good, the bad, and the ugly."

Believes schools should train students to be critical thinkers without coercion or indoctrination. Supports education focused on independent thinking about the future of the community and country.

Believes schools should train students to be critical thinkers without coercion or indoctrination. 

Believes improving education quality is essential but notes the challenge in defining and measuring it.

Wants to enhance education quality in the school district. 

Supports Individualized Education Plans (IEP) for students.

- Believes schools should focus on learning basic subjects, such as science, math, language, literature, history, and social studies, rather than turning schools "into vocational training centers."
- Wants to reduce the importance of standardized testing as a measure of student success.
- Opposes banning any book, but believes school libraries must contain "uncontroversial" and "age-appropriate" material. 
- Believes teachers should send detailed syllabi to parents before the academic term and any revisions before they take effect to establish parent and teacher transparency and allow parents to have their child switch teachers or classes or opt-out of objectionable activities.
- Believes students should learn "the entirety of U.S. history – the good, the bad, and the ugly."
- Believes schools should train students to be critical thinkers without coercion or indoctrination. 
- Wants to enhance education quality in the school district. 
- Supports Individualized Education Plans (IEP) for students.

School Curriculum

Believes parents should have the right to address urgent concerns with school administrators and receive timely responses. Criticizes New Hanover County School District for its poor track record in handling student safety and wellbeing issues.

Believes parents should have the right to address urgent concerns with school administrators and receive timely responses. 

Opposes the school district's plan to monitor students' online activities 24/7, calling it a misuse of taxpayer money. Criticizes the implementation of Lighspeed AI software for tracking and profiling students.

Opposes the school district's plan to monitor students' online activities 24/7.

Believes out-of-school suspensions burden working families and lead to unsupervised students falling behind. Supports in-school suspensions to provide supervision and continued education.

Supports eliminating out-of-school suspensions saying it is a "burden on working families..."

Opposes affirming children's gender identity, calling it "a form of physical and/or emotional abuse." Supports treating children with gender dysphoria with "compassion and proper psychological care."

Opposes affirming children's gender identity, and believes "there is no such thing as a Trans Kid."

Believes student free speech and activism are crucial to education. Supports creating a safe environment that respects the 1st Amendment.

Wants to establish an environment allowing students to exercise free speech and activism.

Opposes the free breakfast program, calling it an "unsustainable socialist program," and urges the school board to explore alternative solutions for student hunger.

Opposes the free breakfast program, calling it an "unsustainable socialist program," and wants the school board to explore alternative solutions for student hunger.

Opposes mask mandates for students, believing they are uncomfortable, violate parental rights, and impede learning. Plans to oppose future mask mandates in the event of another pandemic.

Opposes mask mandates for students, believing they are uncomfortable, violate parental rights, and impede learning.

- Believes parents should have the right to address urgent concerns with school administrators and receive timely responses. 
- Opposes the school district's plan to monitor students' online activities 24/7.
- Supports eliminating out-of-school suspensions saying it is a "burden on working families..."
- Opposes affirming children's gender identity, and believes "there is no such thing as a Trans Kid."
- Wants to establish an environment allowing students to exercise free speech and activism.
- Opposes the free breakfast program, calling it an "unsustainable socialist program," and wants the school board to explore alternative solutions for student hunger.
- Opposes mask mandates for students, believing they are uncomfortable, violate parental rights, and impede learning.

Student Wellbeing

Facebook

David Perry

David Perry grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from a local public high school in Milford, NH, in 1983. He attended Gordon College, a small Christian liberal arts college north of Boston, where he majored in History with dual minors in Biblical Studies and Philosophy, graduating in 1987. Perry has a grandson named Lucas. Details about his current place of residence, church attendance, or immediate family structure beyond his grandson are not provided.

David Perry holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master's in Education. He has experience working in individualized special education programs and spent three years at the Perkins School for the Blind. Later, he transitioned into a career in IT as a Software Engineer, a field in which he has approximately 30 years of experience.

David Perry has not held a political office but has been politically active, including running for the NC General Assembly in 2018 and 2020, both times unsuccessfully. He returned to the Republican Party in 2019 and became active in the Republican Liberty Caucus, helping to form a local chapter. Perry contributed to Melissa Mason's victory in the 2022 New Hanover County Board of Education race.

Believes in acting immediately to address future student population growth by acquiring land, creating architectural plans, and securing funding for new school construction. Said, "This construction process [is] not an overnight one."

Believes business donations to schools are beneficial, citing examples like funding athletic scoreboards and sponsoring school events in exchange for advertising. Supports recognizing donors with acknowledgments such as "Gold Donor" listings in event programs.

Believes in engaging the community to review and provide feedback on school plans. Plans to hold Town Hall meetings to discuss the proposed school plan, though dates and locations are not yet set.

Believes in the necessity of increased resources for school facilities to accommodate a growing student population. Supports enhanced funding for school construction and maintenance.

Opposes “busing” and supports a return to neighborhood schools, believing it benefits students' success.

Believes in defending the individual rights of parents and students in education. Plans to bring his passion for liberty to the New Hanover County Board of Education.

Believes reducing the number of teachers and replacing them with technology leads to "educational disaster." Said, "Our students fell way behind and are still suffering from the learning loss they experienced during that time."

The candidate's website says, "There is a concerted effort by big tech companies to eventually replace the traditional teacher-led classroom with AI, computer-based learning, and teachers relegated to the status of contracted facilitators. Mr. Perry explains how Spark NC has gained a foothold in the New Hanover School system, and the serious danger it poses."

Believes computers cannot replace teachers, citing the "disaster" of virtual learning during COVID-19. Supports addressing teacher pay, shortages, and training to improve education.

Believes teacher salaries in New Hanover County are insufficient to keep up with inflation and rising housing costs. Said, "Home prices, coupled with crippling mortgage rates, make it practically impossible for most of the families of our school district’s teachers and staff to purchase a home."

Believes students need a well-rounded education that includes history, literature, and civics, which are as vital as math, science, and basic reading.

Believes assessing educational quality should focus on student progress rather than graduation rates or standardized test scores. Opposes practices like lowering graduation requirements and manipulating test scores to appear successful.

Believes in the benefits of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for formalizing and assessing student learning objectives. Supports regular IEP Team meetings to adapt teaching methodologies based on student progress.

Believes public schools should be safe and free from violence and indoctrination. Supports students becoming "well-informed critical thinkers" and community activists.

Opposes compromising student privacy for safety, stating, "Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Believes students should not forfeit constitutional rights for public education.

Believes every student should have an "Individualized Education Program" to address their unique needs. Supports enhancing school safety and counseling services.

- 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. 