January is School Board Appreciation Month and we are grateful for the seven community members who provide leadership and service to our district through the Lee County Board of Education. In honor of this month, we wanted to give you an opportunity to get to know some of your school board members with a bit of Q&A! Take the time to hear from a few of them and find out why they have chosen to serve on the School Board.
ALAN RUMMEL - Vice Chairman - Elected: November 2022
1) What inspired you to get involved with the school board, and what motivates you to continue serving?
My kids are what inspired me to get involved. There were things going on that I didn’t agree with, so I started going to school board meetings. After getting on the board and digging in and getting to work on improvements, it’s not just my kids that keep me motivated, but all the kids that attend our schools…making sure they all get the best opportunity to be successful.
2) Who was your favorite teacher in school? What made that teacher the most special in your mind?
Mr. Apple at Western Harnett High was probably my favorite teacher. I was a math nerd and he would go into detail showing us how to derive complex formulas rather than just showing us how to solve them without explaining why they exist and what each variable represents. This really helped things make sense and kept me engaged.
3) What was your best subject in school? What did you learn in that class that you still use today?
I was definitely a math and science person in school. I use all kinds of skills from both as a design engineer for Caterpillar. Physics, fluid dynamics, strength of materials and material properties, statistics…I use all that stuff constantly. And not necessarily advanced level knowledge. You’d be surprised at how often basic level science and math concepts come in handy.
4) If you could take any class offered in Lee County Schools, which class would you take and why?
I’d have to jump back into orchestra. It seems like performing arts aren’t quite as popular as they were when I was in school but I really enjoyed it and would gladly advocate for more kids to give it a shot. One of my old orchestra classmates plays violin in the Lee County Orchestra and prods me occasionally to bring my cello to a practice sometime.
5) What is the most important lesson you learned from your time in school?
Most of the things that come to mind are more lessons learned in hindsight. A good one is to not feel pressured to know exactly what you want to be when you grow up. Dabble in different things and see what you enjoy or feel called to do. Most adults I know will tell you it took them into their 30s to really nail down what they wanted to do for a career, so not knowing at 17 really isn’t the end of the world. Along with that, learning what things you definitely do NOT want to do is very valuable.
CINDY ORTIZ - Elected: November 2024
1) What inspired you to get involved with the school board, and what motivates you to continue serving?
My passion for education and community led me to serve on the school board. I started as a teacher’s assistant at Greenwood Elementary before transitioning into inside sales and later real estate, where I’ve spent nearly two decades helping families build their futures in Lee County. Through both education and real estate, I’ve seen how strong schools create strong communities. I’m committed to advocating for students, supporting teachers and the classified staff, and ensuring our schools remain a foundation for success. The opportunity to make a meaningful impact keeps me motivated every day.
2) Who was your favorite teacher in school? What made that teacher the most special in your mind?
One teacher who truly made an impact on me was Cleo Bush; she was my third-grade teacher. Mrs. Bush had a way of making learning exciting and always encouraged me to do my best. What stood out the most was her ability to make every student feel valued, no matter their background or ability. That lesson—making people feel seen and appreciated—has stayed with me throughout my life. She is an absolute treasure.
3) What was your best subject in school? What did you learn in that class that you still use today?
My best subject was English—though I’ll be honest, my grades at the time didn’t exactly reflect that! But looking back, I realize how much it has helped me throughout my life and career. I’ve always been a great speller, and I definitely know the difference between there, their, and they’re—haha! Strong communication skills have been invaluable in real estate, leadership, and now in my role on the school board, where clear and effective communication is key to making a difference. It just goes to show that even the lessons we don’t fully appreciate at the time can become some of the most useful later in life.
4) If you could take any class offered in Lee County Schools, which class would you take and why?
I would take U.S. History because understanding our past is key to shaping a better future. History has always fascinated me, and learning about the challenges and triumphs of our country helps us make informed decisions, whether in leadership, education, or everyday life. Plus, I’d love to see how it’s being taught in today’s classrooms compared to when I was in school!
5) What is the most important lesson you learned from your time in school?
The biggest lesson I learned in school was the importance of determination. No matter how tough things got, sticking with it and pushing forward always seemed to pay off. That’s something I’ve carried with me through life—whether it’s in my real estate career, handling personal challenges, or being there for my family. Life isn’t always easy, but having a strong work ethic and not giving up when things get hard makes all the difference.