William Barbee, a Republican, is running for the Cabarrus County School Board in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Three seats are open.

Voters will choose up to three candidates from a six-person field that includes Republicans James Kirk and Patrick Hartsell and Democrats Courtney Steinberg, Mishell Williams and Pam Escobar, according to BallotReady election data.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Office sought: Cabarrus County School Board
  • Education: Degree in business administration, according to The Cabarrus Compass
  • Certifications: Project management and construction management, according to The Cabarrus Compass
  • Family ties to district: Barbee said he, his wife and their children attended Cabarrus County Schools. He said he has four grandchildren in the public school system.

Experience and public service

Barbee said he is the owner of S and B Real Estate, LLC. He also said he has experience at a Fortune 100 company, though he did not name the employer, according to The Cabarrus Compass.

On the issues

Barbee's policy positions are drawn from his campaign website and his responses published by The Cabarrus Compass.

School overcrowding and safety: Barbee said rapid population growth in Cabarrus County has led to crowded classrooms and stretched resources. He said the growth affects workload, class sizes and the overall learning environment, and that safety is a top concern for parents.

Career and technical education: Barbee said college is one path but not the only one. He said he supports career and technical education, vocational programs, internships and life skills training so students graduate with options.

Teacher support: Barbee said teachers should be trusted as professionals and supported, not micromanaged. He called for competitive pay, classroom resources and less bureaucracy.

Local control and parental involvement: Barbee said decisions should reflect local community needs, not one-size-fits-all policies. He said parents are partners and called for open communication and clear curriculum information. "School boards should listen before they decide," his campaign website states.

Fiscal responsibility: Barbee said every dollar should go to the classroom whenever possible. He called for long-term planning and accountability in the district's budgeting.