John previously worked as a teacher in Transylvania County Schools and as a local journalist covering government and education.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Collaborate with others: Strong schools do not operate in isolation. Collaboration—with other school systems, state and regional boards, community partners, and local organizations—helps address challenges and provide effective solutions.

Leadership | John Lanier for School Board

Advocates collaboration with other school systems, public boards, community partners, and local organizations to address school challenges.

- Advocates collaboration with other school systems, public boards, community partners, and local organizations to address school challenges.

School Facilities & Resources

Respect

Every student who enters the Transylvania County school system deserves to be treated with respect. That means no discrimination—and no favoritism.

Sometimes disrespect is obvious, such as providing better facilities for prisoners than students. Other times it is more subtle, such as low expectations or assuming a child cannot succeed. No student should be underestimated, and no student should ever be written off.

Platform | John Lanier for School Board

Supports treating every student without discrimination or favoritism.

- Supports treating every student without discrimination or favoritism.

Access to Education

Teachers also deserve to be respected as professionals. Too often, they are underpaid, overworked, and undervalued. In some cases, teachers are driving bus routes in addition to their classroom responsibilities.

Respect means listening to teachers, valuing their experience, and giving them appropriate autonomy in their classrooms. It also means understanding why experienced teachers choose to leave—and doing what we can to support and retain them.

Hire caring, qualified people and support them: Strong schools depend on caring, qualified educators who are committed to their students. Teachers should be trusted as professionals, given appropriate autonomy in their classrooms, and supported in ways that help them succeed.

Advocates listening to teachers, providing appropriate classroom autonomy, and supporting efforts to retain experienced educators.

- Advocates listening to teachers, providing appropriate classroom autonomy, and supporting efforts to retain experienced educators.

Teachers

Educational Focus

While every grade level matters, early education—particularly pre-K through third grade—is critical. These are the years when foundational skills in reading, writing, and math are developed.

Research—and common sense—tell us that students who build strong foundations early are far more likely to succeed later. Those who fall behind early often struggle to catch up.

Beyond third grade, we must ensure students are consistently progressing at grade level while continuing to develop:

• Critical thinking

• Communication skills

• Creativity and curiosity

• Social and emotional awareness

• Resilience and determination

Our goal should be to graduate students who are not only prepared for college or the workforce, but also equipped to navigate the challenges of life with confidence and capability.

Prioritizes prekindergarten through third-grade instruction to build foundations in reading, writing, and math.

Wants students beyond third grade to continue progressing at grade level while developing critical thinking, communication, creativity, and social-emotional skills.

- Prioritizes prekindergarten through third-grade instruction to build foundations in reading, writing, and math.
- Wants students beyond third grade to continue progressing at grade level while developing critical thinking, communication, creativity, and social-emotional skills.

School Curriculum

Today, many students are facing mental health challenges. Anxiety, self-esteem, and a sense of direction are struggles for more students than ever before. Some are physically present in school, but not fully engaged.

We must continue strengthening mental health support within our schools while also working with families and community professionals. When students feel supported and connected, they are far more likely to succeed.

Observe, listen and discuss: Good leadership requires attention and awareness. Leaders should observe without unnecessary interference, listen to concerns, and engage in thoughtful discussion about solutions. In education, students should also be heard—they often offer valuable and unique perspectives.

Calls for strengthening school mental-health support while working with families and community professionals.

Advocates for hearing students' perspectives in education.

- Calls for strengthening school mental-health support while working with families and community professionals.
- Advocates for hearing students' perspectives in education.

Student Wellbeing

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John Lanier

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

Sahid Burgos

Buket Urgen

Bonnie S. Kelley

Chad Owen

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. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system