Bill Fountain, CMS Board of Education District 1 candidate, answers our questions
To help inform voters in the Nov. 4, 2025, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Bill Fountain
Age: Candidate did not answer question
Campaign website or social media page: www.electbillfountain.com
Occupation:
Retired Air Force Lt Col, business manager, and licensed NC classroom teacher; now candidate for CMS Board, District 1.
Education:
B.A. in Mathematics, Mississippi State University; M.A. in Business Management & Supervision, Central Michigan University; NC Teacher’s License from UNCC; National Security Management, Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought or held):
Yes — 2022 CMS Board District 1 candidate and 2023 CMS Board At-Large candidate.
Please list your highlights of civic involvement:
Regular speaker at Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville town councils and CMS Board meetings on education issues. Volunteer pilot and instructor with NC Civil Air Patrol. Member of American Legion Post 86.
What are the most important issues in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools today, and how would you address them?
Nearly two-thirds of students are not meeting state grade-level standards in reading and math. I will refocus CMS on the basics—reading, writing, math and character—while improving discipline, supporting teachers and expanding school choice so families aren’t trapped in failing schools.
How can the district improve student performance, close achievement gaps and get schools off the state’s low-performing list? (There were 56 CMS campuses on the low-performing list during the 2023-24 school year, and 32 in the 2024-25 school year):
CMS must restore a culture of learning and accountability. That means consistent discipline, focused instruction in core subjects, and ensuring students master the basics before promotion. Strong school leadership, parent partnerships, and teacher support will help close achievement gaps and lift schools out of underperformance.
How should the school system handle decisions by the federal government that you may disagree with or that negatively affect the district? And how should the district communicate with the public about the effects of those decisions?
CMS must comply with federal law but should advocate for students when national policies negatively impact classrooms. The district should clearly explain any changes, involve parents, and stay focused on protecting teaching and learning—not political distractions.
Teacher shortages remain a challenge across North Carolina and the nation. What do you believe CMS needs to do in order to attract teachers and keep experienced ones in the classroom?
Make CMS a place where teachers feel safe, respected, and supported. That includes enforcing discipline, reducing bureaucracy, offering competitive pay, and providing strong professional development. When teachers are empowered, students thrive.
What separates you from your opponents and makes you the best choice on November’s ballot?
I bring a unique combination of classroom, military, and business leadership experience. I’m focused on academic excellence—not ideological agendas. I will work to empower parents, strengthen discipline, and uphold traditional values that help students succeed. I also bring insights from better-performing school systems to guide real improvement in CMS.
