As a lifelong resident and proud graduate of Erwin High School, I have strong personal and professional ties to Harnett County. With two adult children who graduated from Harnett County Schools and two grandchildren currently enrolled in the district, my dedication to public education is deeply personal. I continue to serve through active involvement in several civic organizations within and beyond the county.

Harnett County Board of Education - Members

Sharon McNeill Gainey is a lifelong resident of Harnett County. She graduated from Erwin High School. She has two adult children and two grandchildren who are enrolled in Harnett County Schools, and is actively involved in civic organizations within and beyond the county.

Regular Board Meeting - Apr 07 2025 - Minutes - Html

Sharon McNeill Gainey is a mother of two.

## Sharon Gainey

Sharon Gainey
Board Member

### About:
I am a retired educator with a long-standing career in Harnett County Schools. Over the course of my service, I held various roles that reflect my deep commitment to student success and educational advancement. I began my career as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher at both the middle and high school levels. I later served as a Special Populations Coordinator, working closely with disadvantaged students.
As a CTE Coordinator, I supported students in identifying and pursuing career pathways aligned with their goals.

I am a retired educator with a long-standing career in Harnett County Schools. Over the course of my service, I held various roles that reflect my deep commitment to student success and educational advancement. I began my career as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher at both the middle and high school levels. I later served as a Special Populations Coordinator, working closely with disadvantaged students.
As a CTE Coordinator, I supported students in identifying and pursuing career pathways aligned with their goals.

As a CTE Coordinator, I supported students in identifying and pursuing career pathways aligned with their goals.
In addition to my instructional and student-focused roles, I held dual roles as District Grant Writer and Assistant Director of Testing and Accountability. Later, I served as the CTE Test Coordinator and concluded my career as the District Test Coordinator.

In addition to my instructional and student-focused roles, I held dual roles as District Grant Writer and Assistant Director of Testing and Accountability. Later, I served as the CTE Test Coordinator and concluded my career as the District Test Coordinator. I also contributed to key initiatives with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, including the development of standardized test questions.

Sharon McNeill Gainey is a retired educator who concluded her career with Harnett County Schools as the District Test Coordinator. Previously, she served as the Career and Technical Education Test Coordinator, District Grant Writer, Assistant Director of Testing and Accountability, Career and Technical Education Coordinator, and Special Populations Coordinator, after beginning her career as a Career and Technical Education teacher at the middle and high school levels.

Sharon is a retired educator who concluded her career with Harnett County Schools as the District Test Coordinator. Previously, she served as the Career and Technical Education Test Coordinator, District Grant Writer, Assistant Director of Testing and Accountability, Career and Technical Education Coordinator, and Special Populations Coordinator, after beginning her career as a Career and Technical Education teacher at the middle and high school levels.

List of school board members
Sharon Gainey - District 1

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Harnett County Schools, North Carolina, elections

Sharon serves on the Harnett County Board of Education representing District 1.

Harnett County Schools, North Carolina, elections - Ballotpedia

2026 North Carolina General Election

### Review and Consider Approval of the 2025-2026 Local Appropriations and Facility Needs Funding Request.

Mr. Brooks Matthews, Superintendent, and Mr. Andrew Cox, Assistant Superintendent, will provide information supporting the recommendation for approval by the Board of Education.

Notable adjustments and considerations include:•     Employee Supplement Adjustment: Based on board input, the budget reflects an increase to a flat 12% supplement for all employees, up from the originally proposed 4% increase. This results in a budget increase from just over $4 million to $5 million.•     Local Appropriation: The requested amount is $39,995,293, a combination of continuation and expansion requests.•     Staffing and Compensation Enhancements:
...

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   |  | Motion to approve the 2025-2026 Local Appropriations Funding and Facility Needs Request as presented
Moved by: Don Godfrey Seconded by: John Hairr
Yea Joseph Powell, Bradley Abate, Sharon Gainey, Don Godfrey, and John Hairr
Motion Carried 5-0  |
  
   2.

Voted for the 2025–2026 local appropriations and facility-needs funding request.

- Voted for the 2025–2026 local appropriations and facility-needs funding request.

School Facilities & Resources

### Review and Consider Approval of Expanding Year-Round School to include Grade 6

Mrs. Brookie Ferguson, Assistant Superintendent, will provide information on the survey results for expanding the grade level to include grade 6 at the Year-Round School.  |

   |  
   |  | Motion to approve expanding Year-Round School to include Grade 6 as presented
Moved by: Don Godfrey Seconded by: Sharon Gainey
Yea Joseph Powell, Bradley Abate, Sharon Gainey, Don Godfrey, and John Hairr
Motion Carried 5-0  |
   
   5.

Voted for expanding Year-Round School to include Grade 6.

- Voted for expanding Year-Round School to include Grade 6.

Access to Education

As a board member, I am committed to advocating strongly for students and families. My vision includes improving student achievement, raising graduation rates, and supporting the recruitment and retention of high-quality faculty and staff. I believe in promoting individuals based on their qualifications and dedication to build a stronger future for all students in Harnett County Schools.

Article

Supports recruiting and retaining high-quality faculty and staff.

- Supports recruiting and retaining high-quality faculty and staff.

Teachers

As of January 5, 2026, Sharon McNeill Gainey did not have a website or any information online.

School Curriculum

Sharon Gainey, a member of the Harnett County Board of Education, believes these safeguards contribute to a safe learning environment.

“Even as a board member,” she says, “I go through the safety procedures and feel safe.”

North Carolina parents concerned over school safety after Georgia mass shooting

Gainey believes that these safeguards contribute to a positive learning environment, but she also urges students, faculty, and staff to speak up if they notice anything unusual.

“If they see something out of place or don't feel comfortable,” she said, “let somebody know. I would rather have to do an investigation and find nothing wrong than not hear about it.”

Said the district's school safety procedures make her feel safe.

Calls on students, faculty, and staff to report safety concerns or unusual circumstances.

- Said the district's school safety procedures make her feel safe.
- Calls on students, faculty, and staff to report safety concerns or unusual circumstances.

Student Wellbeing

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Sharon McNeill Gainey

As of January 5, 2026, Sharon McNeill Gainey’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Calls on students, faculty, and staff to report safety concerns or unusual circumstances.

Twitter

YouTube

Sharon McNeill Gainey is from Lillington, North Carolina.

Board of Elections Current Elected Officials

Sharon is currently a member of the Harnett County Board of Education representing District 1.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

- 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