Cleveland County Democratic Party, SAVE THE CLEVELAND COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

The Star, Former Crest coach honored

Ballotpedia, Coleman Hunt

Coleman is from Boiling Springs and graduated from Crest High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Gardner-Webb University. He has two children. 

Coleman was previously a teacher, principal, coach, and athletic director.

Coleman Hunt is currently a Cleveland County Board of Education member. He was elected in 2017 and is serving his second term.

As of June 14, 2024, Coleman Hunt did not have a website or any information online.

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Coleman Hunt

Coleman is from Boiling Springs and graduated from Crest High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Gardner-Webb University. He has 2 children. 

Coleman previously was a teacher, principal, coach, and athletic director.

Coleman Hunt is currently County Board of Education Member in Cleveland County. He was elected in 2017 and is serving his second term.

As of June 14, 2024, Coleman Hunt did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Facebook

David is from Shelby, North Carolina, and lives there now with his wife, Julie. He attended Shelby High and studied business administration at Cleveland County Community College. 

David previously worked for the City of Shelby's Parks & Recreation Department. 

David Fisher’s campaign for the Cleveland County Board of Education is his first run for public office.


As of June 14, 2024, David Fisher did not have a website or any information online.

Said, "I have conservative values and promise to represent all students and fight for higher standards of education."

- Said, "I have conservative values and promise to represent all students and fight for higher standards of education."

David Fisher

David is from Shelby, North Carolina. He attended Shelby High and studied business administration at Cleveland County Community College. He resides in Shelby with his wife, Julie. 

David previously worked for the City of Shelby's Parks & Recreation department. 

David Fisher’s campaign for County Board of Education Member in Cleveland County is his first run for public office.


As of June 14, 2024, David Fisher did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Gloria earned her bachelor's degree in elementary and middle grades education and her master's degree in K-12 school administration from Gardner-Webb University. She and her husband Steve have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

Gloria previously worked as a community in schools program director, an adjunct professor at Garner-Webb University, a principal, an elementary and middle school teacher, and a teacher assistant.

Gloria Sherman's campaign for Cleveland County Board of Education is her first run for public office.

As of June 14, 2024, Gloria Sherman did not have a website or any information online.

Plans to support advancements in all departments and teachers achieving advanced degrees.

Advocates for teacher support in instruction, classroom management, and curriculum support.

- Plans to support advancements in all departments and teachers achieving advanced degrees.
- Advocates for teacher support in instruction, classroom management, and curriculum support.

Plans to put in measurable goals to increase student achievement.

- Encourages parental engagement.
- Plans to put in measurable goals to increase student achievement.

Wants to make sure schools have the tools to respond to emergency situtations.

- Wants to make sure schools have the tools to respond to emergency situtations.

Gloria Sherman

Gloria earned her bachelor's degree in elemetary and middle grades education and her master's degree in K-12 school administration from Gardner-Webb University. She and her husband Steve have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

Gloria previously worked as a community in schools program director, an adjunct professir at Garner-Webb University, a principal, an elementary and middle school teacher, and a teacher assistant.

Gloria Sherman's campaign for County Board of Education Member in Cleveland County is her first run for public office.

As of June 14, 2024, Gloria Sherman did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

LinkedIn

Cleveland County Schools, Board of Education

Joel is from Shelby, North Carolina. He earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Western Carolina University.

Joel is retired. He previously worked as a Major at the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and as an instructor at Cleveland Community College.

Joel Shores is currently a Cleveland County Board of Education member. He was elected in 2020 and is serving his first term. He is currently the vice chairperson. He previously served as a Shelby City council member, serving 2 terms from 2005 to 2013. 

As of June 14, 2024, Joel Shores did not have a website or any information online.

Helped create student managment assistance response teams that are trained in suicidial ideation and risk assessment.

Said, "Security will always be a top priority for me."

- Helped create student managment assistance response teams that are trained in suicidial ideation and risk assessment.
- Supported weapon detectors.
- Said, "Security will always be a top priority for me."

Instagram

Twitter

Joel Shores

Joel Shores is currently County Board of Education Member in Cleveland County. He was elected in 2020 and is serving his first term. He is currently the vice chairperson. He previously served as City Councilmember representing Shelby City Council, serving two terms from 2005 to 2013. 

As of June 14, 2024, Joel Shores did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Ballotpedia, Kenneth A. Ledford

Kenneth is from Casar, North Carolina, and attended Burns High School. He later attended Western Carolina University

Kenneth has experience working with Cleveland County Schools. 

Kenneth A. Ledford's campaign for the Cleveland County Board of Education is his first run for public office. 

As of June 14, 2024, Kenneth A. Ledford did not have a website or any information online.

THE STAR, Cleveland County Board of education candidates talk priorities, challenges and team work

Wants to mandate the Superintendent implement policies and procedures that received board approval by providing instructions and evaluations to the Superintendent.

- Wants to mandate the Superintendent implement policies and procedures that received board approval by providing instructions and evaluations to the Superintendent.

Believes the most important issues for County Schools are "developing a board [that]...can work together for the betterment of our children, discipline in the schools, [and] bulling and eliminating inappropriate books in school libraries..."

- Believes the most important issues for County Schools are "developing a board [that]...can work together for the betterment of our children, discipline in the schools, [and] bulling and eliminating inappropriate books in school libraries..."

Wants to develop community trust by installing an Open Door Policy for students, parents, teachers, school staff, and administrators.

- Wants to develop community trust by installing an Open Door Policy for students, parents, teachers, school staff, and administrators.

Kenneth A. Ledford

Kenneth is from Casar, North Carolina, and attended Burns High School. He attended Western Carolina University

Kenneth has experience working at Cleveland County Schools. 

Kenneth A. Ledford's campaign for Cleveland County Board of Education Member is his first run for public office. 

As of June 14, 2024, Kenneth A. Ledford did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

- Believes the most important issues for County Schools are "Developing a board [that]...can work together for the betterment of our children, Discipline in the schools, [and] Bulling and eliminating inappropriate books in school libraries..."

Rod is originally from Anderson, South Carolina. He earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his master's degrees in gifted education and secondary gifted education and teaching from Lenoir-Rhyne University. He and his wife Kim live in Casar.

Rod is retired. He previously worked as a teacher leader at Mooresville High School and as a social studies educator at West Lincoln High School.

Rod Powell's campaign for the Cleveland County Board of Education is his first run for public office.

Said, "I will fight to keep our tax dollars in our county public school system."

- Said, "I will fight to keep our tax dollars in our county public school system."

As of June 14, 2024, Rod Powell did not have a website or any information online.

Said, "I will ensure that our students have the digital survival skills and critical thinking skills to navigate our modern high-tech world."

- Said, "I will ensure that our students have the digital survival skills and critical thinking skills to navigate our modern high-tech world."

Said, "I will embrace, promote, and celebrate diversity in Cleveland County schools."

- Said, "I will embrace, promote, and celebrate diversity in Cleveland County schools."

Rod Powell

Rod Powell's campign for County Board of Education Member in Cleveland County is his first run for public office.

As of June 14, 2024, Rod Powell did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Ron is originally from Shelby, North Carolina. He serves as vice-chair on the Kings Mountain Planning and Zoning Board. He lives with his wife, Mercedes, in Kings Mountain and they are members of First Baptist Church. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

Ron currently works as a consultant at TGS Engineers. He previously worked as a professional land surveyor, assistant locating engineer, and engineering aide at the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Ron Humphries currently serves as County Board of Education Member in Cleveland County. He was elected in 2020 and is serving his first term. 

Candidate website

Supports funding and staffing the maintenance department to properly maintain and improve school assets and infrastructure.

Supports funding and staffing the maintenance department to maintain and improve school assets and infrastructure.

Plans to ensure the School System operates effectively and promises to be a good steward of tax dollars by allocating funds to meet students' needs and drive improvement.

Plans to effectively use funds to meet students' needs.

- Supports funding and staffing the maintenance department to maintain and improve school assets and infrastructure.
- Plans to effectively use funds to meet students' needs.

Believes categorizing students by race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status in education is harmful and perpetuates biases. Supports removing grouping and labels from educational institutions to prevent irreparable harm.

Supports removing groupings and labels, such as race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, in education to prevent harm and biases.

Believes delegating "close the gap" responsibility to local school districts will better address educational disparities. Said, "accountability occurs after the fact," while "responsibility requires taking continuous ownership."

Believes delegating "close the gap" responsibility to local school districts will better address educational disparities. 

Believes providing a "sound basic education" is a complex task requiring local and state collaboration. Supports investment in education as vital to the future health and well-being of the community.

- Supports removing groupings and labels, such as race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, in education to prevent harm and biases.
- Believes delegating "close the gap" responsibility to local school districts will better address educational disparities. 

Believes teachers should be treated as professionals and opposes increased governmental oversight. Supports equipping and supporting teachers to improve student outcomes.

Opposes increased governmental oversight of teachers.  

Believes teachers should be respected as professionals and granted autonomy. Opposes excessive government oversight and standardized test-based evaluations.

- Opposes increased governmental oversight of teachers.  

Believes schools should focus less on standardized testing and more on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Said, "Every new education reform enacted in the US since the 1970s has increased testing and made it increasingly difficult for teachers to teach."

Wants schools to focus less on standardized testing and more on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

Believes the US school curriculum is "inflexible and stringent" compared to Finland's flexible, teacher-developed approach. Supports a broad-based guideline allowing local adaptation to meet students' needs.

Supports Finland's flexible, teacher-developed curriculum that allows "valuable class time to promotes inquiry, analysis, and application."

Believes all graduates should be equipped with critical thinking skills, practical knowledge, and a strong academic foundation to pursue college, trade school, or the workforce.

Wants all students to have critical thinking skills, practical knowledge, and a strong academic foundation for college, trade school, or the workforce.

Believes in meeting the diverse needs of students and teachers through differentiated instruction and culturally responsive education. Supports educational equity by providing equal opportunities rather than identical treatment.

Said, "To achieve educational equity our students need the same opportunities, not the same treatment. Our curriculum should incorporate differentiated instruction and culturally responsive education."

- Wants schools to focus less on standardized testing and more on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 
- Supports Finland's flexible, teacher-developed curriculum that allows "valuable class time to promotes inquiry, analysis, and application."
- Wants all students to have critical thinking skills, practical knowledge, and a strong academic foundation for college, trade school, or the workforce.
- Said, "To achieve educational equity our students need the same opportunities, not the same treatment. Our curriculum should incorporate differentiated instruction and culturally responsive education."

Believes in prioritizing the health, safety, and welfare of students, staff, and the public. Plans to seek necessary funding for personnel, training, and equipment to ensure school safety.

Prioritizes the health, safety, and welfare of students, staff, and the public. 

Believes Cleveland County Schools should provide a "safe, supportive learning environment" and exceptional care for students and staff.

Believes in prioritizing the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff.

Believes the school system must openly share relevant information when problems arise, except for personnel or student issues protected by confidentiality laws.

Believes the school system must share relevant information when problems arise.

- Prioritizes the health, safety, and welfare of students, staff, and the public. 
- Believes the school system must share relevant information when problems arise.

Ron Humphries

Ron Humphries grew up on his family's farm west of Shelby, NC, living next to his grandparents. He is married to Mercedes Smith and has two children, Deanna and Jon, as well as a son-in-law named Kaleb Webb and two grandchildren, Madilyn and Luke. Details about where he attended school and what church he attends are not provided in the information given.

Ron Humphries began his state service in 1983 with the Location and Surveys office in Charlotte, starting as an Engineering Aide and eventually becoming an Assistant Locating Engineer. He has taken educational opportunities through UNC ITRE, focusing on engineering and management classes. Humphries has also been involved in community service, including roles on various boards and commissions, and has experience as a volunteer coach and musician.

Ron Humphries has been actively involved in his community, serving on various boards and committees such as the KM Parks and Recreation Board, the initial KM YMCA board, the KM Planning and Zoning Board, and the KM Board of Adjustments, where he also served as chairman. He has previously run for office as a 2020 candidate for the Cleveland County NC School Board.

- Supports funding and staffing the maintenance department to properly maintain and improve school assets and infrastructure.
- Plans to ensure the School System operates effectively and promises to be a good steward of tax dollars by allocating funds to meet students' needs and drive improvement.

- The candidate's website says, "In December 2019, the WestEd report entitled “Sound Basic Education for All: An Action Plan for North Carolina,” was published. This report was ordered by Superior Court Judge David Lee to address the educational achievement gap identified by the 1997 Leandro v State of North Carolina ruling. The report explains that “the future prosperity and well-being of the state’s citizens requires successfully educating all of its children.” Indeed, the State of NC has a constitutional duty to provide “an opportunity for a sound basic education” to all public school students. The Leandro report concludes that “North Carolina’s current education system fails to meet the educational needs of many of its children.” Based on the testing data presented in their report, it appears they are correct."
- Believes equal access to education is critical but argues that standardized testing gaps correlate with family income, not ethnicity.
- Believes delegating "close the gap" responsibility to local school districts will better address educational disparities. Said, "accountability occurs after the fact," while "responsibility requires taking continuous ownership."
- Believes categorizing students by race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status in education is harmful and perpetuates biases. Supports removing grouping and labels from educational institutions to prevent irreparable harm.
- Believes providing a "sound basic education" is a complex task requiring local and state collaboration. Supports investment in education as vital to the future health and well-being of the community.
- The candidate's website says, "“The Supreme Court of North Carolina’s decision in Leandro v. the State of North Carolina (1997) (Leandro) affirmed that the state has a constitutional responsibility to provide every student with an equal opportunity for a sound basic education and that the state was failing to meet that responsibility.” The court ordered Leandro report, published in December 2019, addresses the failure to meet all students’ educational needs. While this “Achievement Gap” is significant, it’s not the direct subject of this essay. In general, the WestEd produced Leandro report shows downward trends in achievement across the board while the gap remains relatively constant. The Leandro study does indicate that graduation rates are going up. “However, consideration of other relevant data raises the question of whether the increase in graduation rates truly reflects an increase in the number of students prepared for postsecondary education or the workforce.” The Leandro analysis uses NCDPI internal EOG testing data of grades 3 – 8 and highlights a sharp decline in ELA and Mathematics from 2005 thru 2018."
- Believes increased funding and stringent standardized testing can improve education outcomes but acknowledges the complexity of closing the achievement gap.
- The candidate's website says, "Leandro: The Supreme Court of North Carolina’s decision in Leandro v. the State of North Carolina (1997) (Leandro) affirmed that the state has a constitutional responsibility to provide every student with an equal opportunity for a sound basic education and that the state was failing to meet that responsibility. I will be referring to a report and action plan developed by WestEd, a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization whose focus is on education, in response to the February 1, 2018, order by Judge W. David Lee. WestEd was chosen and agreed to by both parties to the lawsuit."
- Believes the term “gap” in education discussions politicizes the issue and prefers focusing on a growth-oriented culture of continuous improvement for all students.
- The candidate's website says, "The government asserts that local education agencies need stringent oversight from the Federal and State levels."

- Believes teachers should be treated as professionals and opposes increased governmental oversight. Supports equipping and supporting teachers to improve student outcomes.
- Believes teachers should be respected as professionals and granted autonomy. Opposes excessive government oversight and standardized test-based evaluations.
- Believes teachers are the "most valuable asset" in education. Supports addressing teacher pay, teacher shortages, and teacher training.
- The candidate's website says, "Some might say I’m advocating for no oversight or evaluation of local schools and teachers by the State."
- The candidate's website says, "If teacher evaluation feels like a ‘gotcha’ system, it won’t work."

- Believes schools should focus less on standardized testing and more on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Said, "Every new education reform enacted in the US since the 1970s has increased testing and made it increasingly difficult for teachers to teach."
- Believes the US school curriculum is "inflexible and stringent" compared to Finland's flexible, teacher-developed approach. Supports a broad-based guideline allowing local adaptation to meet students' needs.
- Believes teaching students how to learn and apply knowledge is crucial. Supports developing skills in students to meet the demands of rapidly changing technology and future economic health.
- Believes in meeting the diverse needs of students and teachers through differentiated instruction and culturally responsive education. Supports educational equity by providing equal opportunities rather than identical treatment.
- Believes in asking "tough questions" about standardized testing, including who sets performance standards and whether results are worthy of comparison. Questions if student outcomes consider motivation and growth and if there is adequate diversity in teaching and administration.
- Believes international assessment scores should not be used for competitive comparisons and that testing data should identify weaknesses for improvement. Opposes increasing standardized testing as a response to media pressure on teachers.
- Believes in offering a "broad and balanced curriculum" that aligns with community needs and expectations.
- Believes all graduates should be equipped with critical thinking skills, practical knowledge, and a strong academic foundation to pursue college, trade school, or the workforce.
- The candidate's website says, "PISA: The Program for International Student Assessment is a worldwide study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in member and non-member nations intended to evaluate educational systems by measuring 15-year-old school pupils’ scholastic performance on mathematics, science, and reading. PISA is unique because it focuses on the application of skills and knowledge and presents problems in real-world contexts. It is intended to provide a measure of students’ overall preparedness for the future, not just academic achievement."
- The candidate's website says, "NAEP: The National Assessment of Educational Progress is the only assessment that measures what US students know and can do in various subjects across the nation, states, and in some urban districts. Also known as The Nation’s Report Card, NAEP has provided important information about how students are performing academically since 1969. NAEP is a congressionally mandated project administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the US Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)."

- Believes in prioritizing the health, safety, and welfare of students, staff, and the public. Plans to seek necessary funding for personnel, training, and equipment to ensure school safety.
- Believes Cleveland County Schools should provide a "safe, supportive learning environment" and exceptional care for students and staff.
- Believes the school board prioritizes "optics" over transparency. Supports rapid and factual communication with parents about situations affecting their children.
- Believes that "stereotypical group labels" hinder educators' ability to build students' self-confidence and motivation. Supports addressing the "opportunity gap" to prevent perpetuating lower educational aspirations for certain groups.
- Believes student wellbeing is influenced by both school and non-school factors. Said, “Family and peer influences, not school resources, determine student performance.”
- Believes in prioritizing the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff.
- Believes the school system must openly share relevant information when problems arise, except for personnel or student issues protected by confidentiality laws.

Believes equal access to education is critical but argues that standardized testing gaps correlate with family income, not ethnicity.

Believes increased funding and stringent standardized testing can improve education outcomes but acknowledges the complexity of closing the achievement gap.

Believes the term “gap” in education discussions politicizes the issue and prefers focusing on a growth-oriented culture of continuous improvement for all students.

The candidate's website says, "The government asserts that local education agencies need stringent oversight from the Federal and State levels."

Believes teachers are the "most valuable asset" in education. Supports addressing teacher pay, teacher shortages, and teacher training.

The candidate's website says, "Some might say I’m advocating for no oversight or evaluation of local schools and teachers by the State."

The candidate's website says, "If teacher evaluation feels like a ‘gotcha’ system, it won’t work."

The candidate's website says, "PISA: The Program for International Student Assessment is a worldwide study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in member and non-member nations intended to evaluate educational systems by measuring 15-year-old school pupils’ scholastic performance on mathematics, science, and reading. PISA is unique because it focuses on the application of skills and knowledge and presents problems in real-world contexts. It is intended to provide a measure of students’ overall preparedness for the future, not just academic achievement."

The candidate's website says, "NAEP: The National Assessment of Educational Progress is the only assessment that measures what US students know and can do in various subjects across the nation, states, and in some urban districts. Also known as The Nation’s Report Card, NAEP has provided important information about how students are performing academically since 1969. NAEP is a congressionally mandated project administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the US Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)."

Believes the school board prioritizes "optics" over transparency. Supports rapid and factual communication with parents about situations affecting their children.

Believes that "stereotypical group labels" hinder educators' ability to build students' self-confidence and motivation. Supports addressing the "opportunity gap" to prevent perpetuating lower educational aspirations for certain groups.

Believes student wellbeing is influenced by both school and non-school factors. Said, “Family and peer influences, not school resources, determine student performance.”

As of June 22, 2024, Tracy Ross did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Wants to develop trust and "collaborate with teammates" to foster teamwork.

Plans to set goals and establish roles for the team she works with.

Supports communication and receiving feedback from coworkers.

- Wants to develop trust and "collaborate with teammates" to foster teamwork.
- Plans to set goals and establish roles for the team she works with.
- Supports communication and receiving feedback from coworkers.

As of June 14, 2024, Tracy Ross did not have a website or any information online.

Plans to establish teacher policies aimed to address "the learning crisis", including increased teacher compassion and empathy, providing active listening instruction, and developing stronger student and parent relationships.

- Plans to establish teacher policies aimed to address "the learning crisis", including increased teacher compassion and empathy, providing active listening instruction, and developing stronger student and parent relationships.

Believes "learning crisis, bullying, and parent involvement" are the most important issues for County Schools.

Plans to install policies aimed to minimize bullying.

- Believes "learning crisis, bullying, and parent involvement" are the most important issues for County Schools.
- Plans to install policies aimed to minimize bullying.

Tracy Ross

As of June 21, 2024, Tracy Ross did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

- Wants to develop trust and "Collaborate with teammates." to foster teamwork.
- Plans to set goals and establish roles for the team she works with.
- Supports communication and receiving feedback from coworkers.

As of June 14, 2024, Tracy Ross did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

- Believes Learning Crisis, Bullying, and Parent Involvement are the most important issues for County Schools.
- Plans to install policies aimed to minimize bullying.

As of June 22, 2024, Tracy Ross did not have a website or any information online.

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 

Cleveland County Board of Education Member

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Cleveland County Board of Education Member

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