Pamela Gunter of Pembroke has announced she is running to represent District 1 on the Bryan County Schools Board of Education.
Gunter, a third-generation graduate of Bryan County High School, is a CPA by training and is the controller at G and C Fertilizer. She and her husband Trace have two sons, a seventh-grader at Bryan County Middle School and a fourth-grader at Bryan County Elementary School.
“I’ve always been involved since our boys started school and have a real passion for the community and the schools in North Bryan,” she said. “This is a good opportunity to get more involved and give back.”
Gunter has served as a PTO officer and on school councils at Lanier Primary School, as well as BCES and BCMS, and previously was treasurer at First Baptist Church of Pembroke for several years.
“We’re not having the same amount of growth as South Bryan, but we are growing and I want to make sure our schools are equipped for it,” Gunter said. “We need to be up to date on technology and be sure the schools are a reason people want to move to North Bryan the way they do in South Bryan.”
Gunter said one thing she would like to see happen eventually is for Bryan County Middle School to have its own cafeteria, instead of sharing one now with Bryan County High School, causing staggered lunch times.
“Overall I don’t think it’s a problem that the schools are connected,” she added. “The principals (Liz Raeburn and David Tucker) do a great job communicating and running things as one campus.”
Gunter said her CPA background could also be an asset to the board.
“I can bring that financial expertise, which is going to be important with all the new construction coming up,” she said.
The District 1 incumbent, Paine Bacon, has not indicated whether or not he intends to run again. He was unopposed for re-election in 2014.
Board Chair Eddie Warren announced recently he will not seek a fourth term in that position. Amy Murphy, who currently represents District 3, said she will resign that post to run for chair. John Dunivan intends to run for that seat. District 3 incumbent Marianne Smith said she plans to run again, but District 5 incumbent David Schwartz has not made any announcement one way or the other.
Qualifying is March 5-9 with the primary scheduled for May 22.
