Aaron Bridges

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Buket Urgen

School Facilities & Resources

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

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Brandon Mills Bridges

Brandon Mills Bridges graduated from Cleveland Community College, earning degrees in Computer Networking and Computer Security.

Brandon was the editor of the Cleveland County News.

As of January 2, 2026, Brandon Mills Bridges did not have a website or any information online.

Danny Lee Blanton

Danny is an at-large representative on the Cleveland County Schools board of education.

As of January 2, 2026, Danny Lee Blanton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Danny is a resident of Shelby, North Carolina.

Danny Blanton - Ballotpedia

Kings Mountain Herald

Beyond Mecklenburg, these candidates won their local-level ...

Jay Carpenter

Linkedin

Jay Carpenter received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Francis Marion University.

Jay is a life insurance and financial services director at Beach Insurance.

Get to Know the Cleveland County Candidates

Believes there is "overcrowding in our schools" which should be renovated to house students.

Wants Clevend County schools to "stay maintained and kept up to standard."

- Believes there is "overcrowding in our schools" which should be renovated to house students.
- Wants Clevend County schools to "stay maintained and kept up to standard."

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

LinkedIn

School Board Candidates: Robert Queen

Robert Queen is originally from Shanghai. He has a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from. North Carolina State University.

Robert works as the owner of a residential construction business. He previously worked as an aerospace engineer.

Robert previously served as an at-large member of the Cleveland County Board of Education. He was first elected in 2017 and served until 2020. He was re-elected in 2020 and served until 2024. He ran for re-election in 2024 but did not win.

Voters choose candidates for the Cleveland County Board of ...

Robert previously served as a member of the Cleveland County Board of Education. He served one term from 2020 to 2024.

Said, "what [he] found instead was that Cleveland County Schools has outstanding students, teachers, staff and administrators. 'Notice I didn't say that we're perfect,' he said. 'Things happen from time to time where folks don't meet expectations, but we get it right 99% of the time.'"

Said, "what [he] found instead was that Cleveland County Schools has outstanding students, teachers, staff and administrators."

- Said, "what [he] found instead was that Cleveland County Schools has outstanding students, teachers, staff and administrators."

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

Robert Queen

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

Rodney Fitch is a board member for the Cleveland County Board of Education. He works at the board, where he has been since 2020. He previously worked as a high school coach.

Cleveland County Board of education candidates talk priorities ...

Rodney Fitch previously worked as a high school coach.

Rodney Fitch is currently a member of the Cleveland County Board of Education representing Cleveland County. He was elected in 2020 and has served one term.

Rodney Fitch previously served as a member of the Cleveland County Board of Education. He was elected in 2020 and served one term.

Supports the partnership with Cleveland Community College to provide students the opportunity to earn an associate degree, industry certification, or college credits while still in high school.

- Supports the partnership with Cleveland Community College to provide students the opportunity to earn an associate degree, industry certification, or college credits while still in high school.

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

Wants to prioritize the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers and administrators.

- Wants to prioritize the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers and administrators.

Wants to partner with local law enforcement to improve school safety.

- Wants to partner with local law enforcement to improve school safety.

Rodney Fitch

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

Ronnie Grigg

Ronnie is currently a member of the Cleveland County Board of Education. He was first elected in 2022 and is currently serving his first term.

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

Ronnie Grigg studied at Gaston College. He has a wife and multiple children.

Cleveland County Schools, North Carolina, elections - Ballotpedia

Is Madison Cawthorn on a crusade for the 'soul' of the Republican ...

See who filed for office in 2022

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

Shelia Canipe

Shelia D. Canipe ran for Cleveland County Board of Education member in 2024 but did not win.

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

Filing deadline looms for candidates; county commissioner race ...

Primary results for Cleveland County.

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

Believes in "strong fundamentals" in reading, science, and math.

Wants to prepare students "for the real world and not political agendas."

- Believes in "strong fundamentals" in reading, science, and math.
- Wants to prepare students "for the real world and not political agendas."

Stephen C. Self's campaign for Cleveland County Board of Education member is his first time running for public office.

Ballotpedia

As of January 2, 2026, Stephen C. Self did not have a website or any information online.

Stephen C. Self

As of January 2, 2026, Stephen C. Self’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Stephen C. Self's campaign for a seat on the school board is a first-time run for public office.

- 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, Republican Primary

Candidates (9)
Choose 4

Cleveland County Board of Education Member, Republican Primary

Candidates (9).css-1e5j0e1{margin:0;font-size:16px;line-height:1.4;font-family:"HouschkaRoundedAlt";font-weight:400;color:#22034F;} Choose 4

Candidates (9)
Choose 4