Elections start coming in focus with local races | Cherokee Scout ...

Jason Murphy lives in Murphy with his wife and two children.

Jason currently works as a police officer for the Murphy Police Department. He previously worked as a deputy for the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

Jason Murphy's campaign for Cherokee County Board of Education member, District 3, is his first time running for public office.

CCS Board of Education

Jason currently serves as a member of the Cherokee County Board of Education. He was first elected in 2022 and is serving his first term.

As of January 2, 2026, Jason Murphy did not have a website or any information online.

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Jason Murphy

As of January 2, 2026, Jason Murphy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Buket Urgen

Gary Butler

As of January 2, 2026, Gary Butler did not have a website or any information online.

As of January 2, 2026, Gary Butler’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Shannon D. Raper

Shannon D. Raper is originally from Marietta, Georgia, and later moved to Cherokee County, North Carolina. She is a mother of one daughter.

Shannon currently works as the transportation information management system coordinator for Cherokee County Schools. She previously worked as an administrative assistant for Cherokee County Schools and has also held positions within the school system’s transportation department. Raper also works with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Shannon D. Raper's campaign for Cherokee County Board of Education Member is her first entry into politics.

Shannon currently serves on the Cherokee County Board of Education representing District 3. She was first elected in 2022 and is seeking reelection in 2026 for her 2nd term

- Supports maintaining community schools, cautious consolidation, and preparing for future growth

- Supports community-based schools and ensuring students’ needs are met

- Supports increased parent and community involvement to support school staff

As of January 2, 2026, Shannon D. Raper did not have a website or any information online.

- Supports addressing the impact of foster care placements and drug activity on students

LinkedIn

As of January 2, 2026, Shannon D. Raper’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Election 2022 Profiles-Shannon Raper

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Cherokee County Schools, North Carolina, elections - Ballotpedia

Supports maintaining community schools, cautious consolidation, and preparing for future growth

Supports community-based schools and ensuring students’ needs are met

Supports increased parent and community involvement to support school staff

Supports addressing the impact of foster care placements and drug activity on students

- 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. 