Chad Barefoot

John Chadwick "Chad" Barefoot is a former member of the North Carolina State Senate, representing the 18th Senate district from 2013 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Barefoot's legislative career was marked by his focus on education policy and initiatives aimed at enhancing student data privacy and workforce development. His tenure in the state senate included leadership roles on several key committees, and he was involved in various legislative efforts that sought to improve educational outcomes and career readiness for students in North Carolina.

Early life and career

Chad Barefoot was born on May 1, 1983, in Thomasville, North Carolina. His formative years in this community likely shaped his understanding of local issues and his commitment to public service. Barefoot pursued higher education at Appalachian State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in public management. This academic background provided him with the foundational knowledge necessary for a career in public service and governance.

Furthering his education, Barefoot obtained a Master of Arts in Christian Ethics from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. This advanced degree may have influenced his perspectives on moral and ethical considerations in public policy, particularly in areas related to education and community welfare.

Before entering the political arena, Barefoot's professional background included work in various capacities that likely contributed to his understanding of the legislative process and the needs of his constituents. His entry into politics came in 2012 when he ran for a seat in the North Carolina State Senate. In the Republican primary, he successfully defeated two opponents, Rep. Glen Bradley and Michael Shriver, which set the stage for his candidacy in the general election. In November 2012, Barefoot faced incumbent Democratic Senator Doug Berger and won the election, securing approximately 56 percent of the vote. This victory marked the beginning of his legislative career, which would span two additional terms.

Legislative service

Chad Barefoot served in the North Carolina State Senate from 2013 until 2019, representing the 18th district, which includes Franklin County and parts of eastern and southern Wake County. During his time in office, he was actively involved in various committees that shaped state policy. Notably, he held the position of Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education/Higher Education and also chaired the Senate Education/Higher Education Committee. These leadership roles allowed him to influence budgetary decisions and educational policy significantly.

Throughout his legislative career, Barefoot was a proponent of several key initiatives aimed at improving education in North Carolina. He was involved in crafting and passing legislation that focused on student data privacy, workforce development, and educational access. His commitment to these issues was evident in the various bills he sponsored and supported during his time in office.

In his first term, Barefoot successfully championed one of the most comprehensive student data privacy laws in the country. This legislation mandated that the North Carolina State Board of Education make information regarding the student data system publicly available. It also established safeguards to protect personally identifiable information, restricting the collection of sensitive data such as biometric information, political affiliation, religion, and voting history. This initiative reflected a growing concern over data privacy in educational settings and aimed to ensure that students' personal information was adequately protected.

In the 2015-2016 legislative session, Barefoot introduced the Student Online Protection Act, which further strengthened protections for student data. This law imposed requirements on operators of third-party online educational applications, prohibiting them from renting or selling student data, creating student profiles for non-educational purposes, and engaging in targeted advertising based on student information. The act also required these operators to implement security measures to safeguard the data they handled.

Barefoot's legislative efforts extended beyond data privacy. He was also a strong advocate for apprenticeship programs in North Carolina. During the 2015 legislative session, he successfully repealed the fee that businesses were required to pay to participate in the state's apprenticeship program. This change aimed to encourage more businesses to engage with the program and provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience in their fields. In the following year, he included a provision in the budget that waived tuition and registration fees at North Carolina Community Colleges for students enrolled in registered apprenticeship programs. This initiative aimed to make vocational training more accessible and affordable, allowing students to earn credentials or associate degrees in their chosen fields.

In addition to these initiatives, Barefoot introduced the "Students Know Before You Go" bill during the 2015 legislative session. This legislation directed the State Education Assistance Authority to provide students and parents with information regarding the costs of college degree programs, employment prospects, and average salaries associated with various degrees. The goal of this initiative was to equip students with the information they needed to make informed decisions about their educational paths and future careers.

Barefoot's commitment to enhancing educational outcomes was further demonstrated through his support for the "Career and College Ready Graduates" program. This initiative, introduced in the 2015 budget, aimed to integrate college-level developmental courses into high school curriculums, ensuring that students who did not meet specific academic benchmarks could still fulfill graduation requirements while preparing for post-secondary education.

Additionally, he played a pivotal role in establishing the NCWorks Career Coaches Program, which aimed to place academic and career advisers from community colleges into public high schools. This program was designed to enhance student engagement with the workforce pipeline, encouraging participation in community colleges, apprenticeships, and industry certificate programs.

Policy focus and district

Throughout his legislative career, Chad Barefoot maintained a strong focus on education and workforce development, reflecting the needs and priorities of his constituents in North Carolina's 18th Senate district. His initiatives were often aimed at improving educational access, enhancing student data privacy, and fostering career readiness among students. By addressing these critical areas, Barefoot sought to create a more informed and prepared workforce, capable of meeting the demands of a changing economy.

His tenure in the North Carolina State Senate was characterized by a commitment to legislative initiatives that aimed to improve the educational landscape in the state. By advocating for policies that emphasized student privacy, access to vocational training, and informed decision-making regarding education, Barefoot positioned himself as a legislator focused on the long-term success of North Carolina's students and workforce.

Chad Barefoot chose not to seek reelection in 2018, concluding his legislative service after a term marked by significant contributions to education policy in North Carolina. His work in the state senate reflected a dedication to addressing the challenges faced by students and families in his district, as well as a broader commitment to enhancing the educational framework within the state.