Tom Hatch is a lifelong educator, community leader, and proud graduate of Terry Sanford High School who has dedicated his career to serving the students, families, and citizens of Cumberland County. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and two master's degrees from Fayetteville State University in History Education and School Administration.

Tom Hatch for School Board

Tom's commitment to service extends far beyond the classroom. He is an active member of First Baptist Church and the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville. He currently serves as Chairman of the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, President of the Fayetteville Terry Sanford Alumni Association and is a member of the Communities In Schools Advisory Board, where he continues to advocate for opportunities that strengthen our schools and improve the quality of life throughout Cumberland County.

Tom Hatch earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and master's degrees in history education and school administration from Fayetteville State University. He is an active member of First Baptist Church and the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville.

During his distinguished 32-year career with Cumberland County Schools, Tom served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. His experience in public education has given him a deep understanding of what it takes to create safe schools, support outstanding teachers, and help every student reach their full potential.

In April 1999, he was hired as an assistant principal at Reid Ross Classical School, where he served for six years and became principal of Anne Chesnutt Middle School in 2005, principal of Reid Ross Classical School in 2010 and principal of Terry Sanford High School in 2017.

Who is running for Cumberland County Board of Education districts 1-3?

After 32 years of service to Cumberland County Schools, Hatch retired in 2022 and has remained in the education field, serving as an interim principal and assistant principal at two other schools.

“My recent experiences in working with students, leading teachers and staff, and building meaningful community connections are crucial for the Board,” he said.

Tom retired from Cumberland County Schools and has remained in education as an interim principal and assistant principal at two other schools. He previously served Cumberland County Schools as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal, including as principal of Anne Chesnutt Middle School, Reid Ross Classical School, and Terry Sanford High School.

Cumberland County Board of Education sees upsets

Tom Hatch - Ballotpedia

Tom lost the 2024 race for Cumberland County Schools school board District 3.

2026 North Carolina General Election

He will advocate for competitive teacher and staff compensation to recruit and retain the very best educators. Tom will support policies that strengthen our public schools, expand high-quality public school choice opportunities, and ensure every classroom is a safe, orderly environment where students and teachers can focus on learning. He is committed to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, transparent decision-making, and putting students at the center of every decision.

Committed to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and transparent decision-making.

- Committed to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and transparent decision-making.

School Facilities & Resources

Supports expanding high-quality public school choice opportunities.

- Supports expanding high-quality public school choice opportunities.

Access to Education

He said the school board must undertake a comprehensive and meticulous review of the Student Code of Conduct, with a particular emphasis on its application to student discipline.

“Furthermore, there is a pressing need for system-wide professional development initiatives that reinforce effective classroom management strategies,” Hatch said. “These strategies should focus on cultivating positive relationships, promoting engaging and meaningful learning experiences, all while upholding the standards of academic rigor that our students deserve.”

Calls for system-wide professional development on effective classroom management, building positive relationships, engaging students in learning, and academic rigor.

Advocates for competitive teacher and staff compensation to recruit and retain educators.

- Calls for system-wide professional development on effective classroom management, building positive relationships, engaging students in learning, and academic rigor.
- Advocates for competitive teacher and staff compensation to recruit and retain educators.

Teachers

As of September 2, 2026, Tom Hatch’s website did not contain information on this issue.

School Curriculum

Calls for a comprehensive review of the Student Code of Conduct, including how it is applied in student-discipline cases.

Hatch said one of the most pressing issues facing the school system centers around consistently disruptive students being allowed to re-enter the schools.

He said the school board must undertake a comprehensive and meticulous review of the Student Code of Conduct, with a particular emphasis on its application to student discipline.

Supports policies to ensure classrooms are safe and orderly so students and teachers can focus on learning.

- Supports policies to ensure classrooms are safe and orderly so students and teachers can focus on learning.

Student Wellbeing

Instagram

LinkedIn

Facebook

TikTok

Tom Hatch

- Advocates for competitive teacher and staff compensation to recruit and retain educators.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Bradley Williams

Broxie P. Pone

Bryan Moore

Carol Stubbs

Chris Young

Demetrius Stocks

Franklin Matthew Crockett

Jacquelyn Brown

Johnathaun Lee

Karelle Ward

Keith Byrd

Quincei Lovejoy

Rebecca (Becky) West

Robyn Chadwick

Theodore Lee Miller

- 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. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system