Mayor's Award for Commitment to Community | Town of Knightdale ...

Shannon earned a bachelor's degree in communications from James Madison University as well as a master's degree in educational leadership and administration from East Carolina University. She has lived in Knightdale since 2001.

Shannon is a math teacher at a Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy.


Shannon Russell Hardy (Knightdale Town Council, North Carolina ...

Shannon's campaign for Knightdale Town Council Member is her first entry into politics. 

Supports reducing property taxes to alleviate financial burdens on homeowners, noting that many municipalities in Wake County have lowered taxes, with Knightdale's rate being one of the highest despite minimal reductions.

Supports re-evaluating Knightdale property tax rates, saying the current rates "destabilize the 65% of residents that are homeowners."

- Supports re-evaluating Knightdale property tax rates, saying the current rates "destabilize the 65% of residents that are homeowners."

Economy

As of September 4, 2025, Shannon Russell Hardy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Supports most of Knightdale’s 2024 “Affordable Knightdale & Housing” plan, including partnering with nonprofit developers, creating mixed-income neighborhoods, and promoting permanent affordability through community land trusts.

- Supports most of Knightdale’s 2024 “Affordable Knightdale & Housing” plan, including partnering with nonprofit developers, creating mixed-income neighborhoods, and promoting permanent affordability through community land trusts.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Aims to integrate housing with walkability, transit, and nearby services.

- Aims to integrate housing with walkability, transit, and nearby services.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Believes child welfare should not be solely the responsibility of schools and supports community efforts to creatively enhance children's opportunities through various programs and partnerships.

Believes child welfare should not be solely the responsibility of schools and supports community efforts such as expanding childcare centers, academic camps, and non-profit partnerships.

- Believes child welfare should not be solely the responsibility of schools and supports community efforts such as expanding childcare centers, academic camps, and non-profit partnerships.

Education

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Shannon Russell Hardy

Supports researching and publishing the truth about Wake County's only documented lynching.

Advocates for using the Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS) to focus on growth, conducting audits of Knightdale's schools, and supporting Hodge Road Elementary's transition to a dual language school.

As of September 4, 2025, Shannon Russell Hardy did not have a website or any information online.

Shannon Russell Hardy moved to Knightdale in 2001. As a classroom teacher in an innovative charter school, she has promoted and advocated for Knightdale’s schools. In 2007 she co-founded Knightdale 100 working to ensure that Knightdale schools are the first, and best choice for our children. This group’s work included advocacy for the use of EVAAS to focus on growth, a 2013 audit of Knightdale’s schools, and lobbying for Hodge Road Elementary to become a dual language school. As a sports mom, she was the Planters Walk Swim Team volunteer coordinator, manager for East Wake Soccer teams, and served as team mom for Knightdale High’s swim, soccer, and football teams. For the past eight years she has been a dedicated member of the Knightdale High School for Collaborative Design’s PTSA Board. Ms. Hardy is a certified math, social studies, ELA, gifted teacher with a Principal I (one) license, a Masters in Education in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University, and has received National Board Certification three times in 2000, 2010 and 2019. She is a statewide trainer and champion for Design for Change, a global movement that empowers students to transform the world using a framework: FEEL, IMAGINE, DO, and SHARE. Her students just returned from Rome where they were recognized by Pope Frances for their work to end racism. This includes a campaign to get Joseph Holt’s Story told, researching and publishing the truth about Wake County’s only documented lynching, and assisting in the resettlement of a Syrian refugee family. Hardy is one of the co-founders of the Wake County Truth and Reconciliation Committee and continues to work diligently to ensure that our hard history is included in the curriculum.

Shannon is a classroom teacher at an innovative charter school in Knightdale. She has also worked as a certified math, social studies, ELA, and gifted teacher.

- Town council members serve as the governing body of the town, along with the mayor. 
- The town council members make policy decisions for the town, including creating ordinances, policies, and making agreements with other governments. 
- The town council can amend and revise town policies, as well as approve or reject the town budget. 
- The town council is also in charge of the appointment of advisory boards, commissions, task forces, committees, the town manager, and the town attorney. 
- Members of the town council are elected to staggered 4 year terms. 