CHAPEL HILL – Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board candidate, Ignacio Tzoumas (pronounced JEW-mas), says equity will be his biggest focus if elected. He says the district has to adapt to serve the ever-changing landscape.

“About 20 years ago, our school system (had) about 4,000 students, and now we’re at 12,” Tzoumas says. “Soon we’ll be at 20. The prerogative now is to restructure and modernize our school system so that we can give the best education to all our students that’s a very diverse population.”

WCHL’s Ran Northam spoke with Tzoumas about his seeking election to the School Board and how he believes he’ll best serve the students and parents of the district.

***Listen to the Interview***

Four candidates are contending for three seats on the school board.

Tzoumas and Andrew Davidson are the newcomers in the election as Shell Brownstein and James Barrett are seeking re-electoin. The newcomers agree that—while they agree with a lot of what Superintendent Tom Forcella is doing—they want to be a voice coming from someone other than who helped in his hiring.

“I think everybody is behind a lot of his strategies,” Tzoumas says “But, as a board member, we’re expected to make sure that he is hitting all the points that he has put out as his roadmap.”

Between now and Election Day, we’ll be previewing each of the candidates one-on-one.

For more on Tzoumas, click here.

Related Stories
‹
Hear The Candidates Debate The Issues Live
Early voting begins Thursday, and we’re kicking off the week by bringing the candidates to you with two forums.
2013 CHCCS Candidate Profile: James Barrett
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board member, James Barrett, says closing the achievement gap will continue to be his top priority if re-elected to the board.
2013 CHCCS Candidate Profile: Shell Brownstein
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board chair, Shell Brownstein, says closing the achievement gap will continue to be her top priority if re-elected to the board.
CHCCS Candidates Debate Achievement Gap
Four Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board candidates debated one of the district’s most persistent problems- how to close the achievement gap for all students.
CHCCS Chair Fears Coming Budget Cuts
CHCCS's board chair says the state budget is only going to make things tougher, but that's she's ready to work alongside Superintendent Tom Forcella to implement similar ideas for the future.
On Air Today: The 2026 Teacher Supply Store
Two representatives of the Public School Foundation discuss this year's Teacher Supply Store, providing school supplies to CHCCS teachers.
The Morning News: Rani Dasi, Faith Hedgepeth, and Bobby Petrino
In today's news: Rani Dasi discusses her impending move from the CHCCS school board to the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
Glenwood Elementary School Parents on Their Concerns, the District's Presentation and Local Reaction to Closure – On Air Today (July 27, 2026)
Glenwood Elementary School parents Yehua Wei, Kayan Cheung-Miaw and Alex Jackson speak with 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Monday, July 27.
The Morning News: Rani Dasi to County Commissioner, Mandarin Dual Language at CHCCS
In today's news: CHCCS board member Rani Dasi is nominated for an open seat on the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
Glenwood Elementary Parents Urge School Board to Keep Programs Together as Relocation Conversations Begin
The CHCCS school board gathered to hear options for rehousing the acclaimed Mandarin program as Glenwood Elementary School prepares to close.
›