Bonnie S. Kelley

Buket Urgen

As of January 5, 2026, Bonnie S. Kelley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

School Facilities & Resources

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

Facebook

Chad Owen’s attended Brevard High School. He lives with his wife, an educator, and their 3 children.

Chad currently works as a deputy sheriff. He also serves as a volunteer firefighter. He previously worked as a school resource officer at Davidson River School.

Chad campaign for the Transylvania County Board of Education is his first run for public office.

As of April 6, 2026, Chad Owen did not have a website or any information online.

Believes his experience working alongside educators gives him insight into school operations and decision-making needs.

- Believes his experience working alongside educators gives him insight into school operations and decision-making needs.

Supports maintaining safe and secure schools for all students.

- Supports maintaining safe and secure schools for all students.

Chad Owen

John Lanier

As of January 5, 2026, John Lanier’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Shanaia Powell is originally from Transylvania County. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Mars Hill University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Shanaia lives with her husband, Dwayne Powell, and their 2 children in Pisgah Forest and attends Brevard Wesleyan Church.

Shanaia currently works as the owner and operator of Mountain View Health Advocacy Services. She previously worked as a social worker in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities.

Shanaia's campaign for the Transylvania County Board of Education is her first run for public office.

As of April 6, 2026, Shanaia Powell did not have a website or any information online.

Believes students should have their needs met so they can learn and grow successfully.

- Believes students should have their needs met so they can learn and grow successfully.

Supports being a voice for school staff and working to meet the needs of educators.

- Supports being a voice for school staff and working to meet the needs of educators.

Supports advocating for children and prioritizing their safety and overall wellbeing and believes school board decisions should be guided by careful consideration and a commitment to serving students.

- Supports advocating for children and prioritizing their safety and overall wellbeing and believes school board decisions should be guided by careful consideration and a commitment to serving students.

Shanaia Powell

- 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. 

Transylvania County Board of Education Member

Candidates (4)
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Transylvania County Board of Education Member

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Candidates (4)
Choose 2