By Alan Wooten | The Center Square file graphic | the Shelby Independent Education – Fifty-four percent of North Carolina public school high school graduates passed at least one-college level course while still in high school, education officials said Thursday. “For those who have been around a moment and have gray hair or less hair, understand the magnitude of that number, that percentage,” first-term Democratic Superintendent Mo Green told members of the state school bo

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square The Shelby Independent (The Center Square) – Five county school districts of low wealth in North Carolina have lost the plan for potentially billions of dollars in improvements following Thursday’s vacating of the historic Leandro case by the state Supreme Court. A 2022 decision by the bench, consisting of different justices, authorized funding. The General Assembly, by state statute, has appropriation authority and legislative leaders and t

By Ron Humphries | Special guest opinion | Press release Humphries In light of recent public statements and threats regarding my interaction with fellow School Board member Mr. Blanton after the Board meeting on January 12, 2026, I feel it is essential to address the situation with a focus on forgiveness and my desire to move forward. During our verbal exchange, Mr. Blanton angrily approached me closely and gestured towards my face. In a moment of instinctive reaction, I gent

By Paula Vess | Cleveland Community College Ai generated file photo CLEVELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE – Three Cleveland Community College cosmetology students are proving that service goes far beyond the salon chair; it reaches into the heart of the community. Kenyatta Eskridge, Kallie McCoid, and Grace Pribble are representing CCC in the SkillsUSA Community Service Project competition, using their platform to support Washington Outreach Ministry, a local organization dedicated t

Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College is one of two new regional partners in an initiative led by UNC Charlotte that expands STEM pathways for academically talented, low-income students. UNC Charlotte recently received $2 million as part of a $5 million National Science Foundation grant to grow the successful partnership across the region. The new award builds on the earlier SPARC 4 initiative and launches SPARC 6, a five-institution collabor

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Crest fb page public courtesy photo CREST HIGH SCHOOL – A potential gunman at a school or a tornado; either one would frighten students, teachers and parents alike, but for both to happen at the same time, is both scary and yet a sigh of relief, once it was discovered the incident at Crest was a false alarm.   As the skies swirled above southwest Cleveland County, an active shooter alert sounded in the classrooms at Crest High Scho

By Jasa West | Cleveland Community College | Press Release file photo | The Shelby Independent Cleveland Community College has secured its place in the sixth cohort of NC Reconnect, a statewide initiative to engage more adult learners and provide them with fast, flexible, and in many cases tuition-free education and job training programs.  NC Reconnect is a collaborative effort first launched in 2021 by the John M. Belk Endowment  to address the state’s critical workforce

By Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent The CCS Board of Education during their public meeting, March 9, 2026. The discussion over Marion took the main focus last night , as school board members made their thoughts known, keeping in line with where they had been before, months ago, with a few exceptions. Board of Education members Aaron Bridges and Gloria Sherman seemed to have shifted slightly, not in their sincerity to sell the building, but in shifting to supporting an open

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent CCS Board of Education poses with shelby High School athletes, Zaryn Ussery, Keynia Trammell-Mason, Olivia Oliver, and Noni Oliver. Editor’s note: For more information about the sale of Marion School, and board comments, see the other Board of Education news story published after this one, Tuesday afternoon, 3/10/2026 .   On Monday night, during the school board public meeting, Dr. Jason Parker, Executive Director of Elementary Schoo

Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College – On Saturday, March 7, Cleveland Community College’s women’s basketball team captured the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Region 10 Championship with a victory over the Fayetteville Technical Community College Trojans. “This championship is a reflection of the work these players put in when nobody was watching,” said Head Coach Ford “Scooter” Lawrence. “They earned this

Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College (CCC) has received a $10,000 community investment from AT&T to expand its Digital Navigator Program, further strengthening digital access and literacy efforts for adult learners and community members throughout Cleveland County. CCC is one of only eight colleges selected to receive this funding. On Tuesday, February 24, Kathleen Evans, Regional Director of External Affairs for AT&T, accompanied by Chrisy

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Schools Board of Education Dr. Stephen Fisher's will retire as Superintendent effective July 1, 2026. Courtesy photo SHELBY, NC — In a press release late Friday afternoon, the Cleveland County Board of Education announced the upcoming retirement of Superintendent Dr. Stephen R. Fisher, effective July 1, 2026. The statement said: Dr. Fisher is a beloved leader whose unwavering commitment to students, educators, and families has cultivated e

By David Beasley | The Center Square The Shelby Independent (The Center Square) – In-state undergraduates in the UNC System for the first time in nine years will face tuition hikes next year, the Board of Governors said Thursday. The increase, raising average tuition from $4,684 to $4,809, takes effect next year for new students and won’t affect students currently enrolled in the system. The governing board also raised fees by an average of 1%. The board last year said it wo

Staff reports | Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College’s Collision Repair and Refinishing Program is proud to announce it has received a $5,000 Honda Benchmark Award grant from the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). This competitive award supports program maintenance and additions that enhance student learning and align with industry needs. “We are grateful for the support from CREF and the Honda Benchmark Award,” said

Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College CCC Cleveland Community College is proud to announce its participation in Careers Electric, a workforce initiative launched by the Siemens Foundation to expand access to high-quality electrical training and build the next generation of skilled electrical workers. According to a February 17 press release from the Siemens Foundation, Careers Electric aims to train 25,000 individuals over the next 10 years to address the growing demand

Staff Reports | Press Release Twelve seniors graduated from Pinnacle Classical Academy at the conclusion of the first semester. Ten of the 12 are currently enrolled at Cleveland Community College, and six have already earned an associate's degree or a certificate from CCC. These students will join their classmates in May at formal commencement exercises. "Our Pinnacle Board of Directors support an early graduation program for students that are fast-tracking to the workplace a

Staff Reports Cleveland Community College and East Carolina University have strengthened educational pathways for students in Cleveland County with a new transfer agreement signed January 28 in ECU’s Science and Technology Building. The signing cemented a partnership between the two colleges that guarantees admission to the university’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) program for qualified CCC graduates. That point appealed to Dr. Jason Hurst, president of

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Grigg. Calm seas only last but so long in the dramatic ocean of politics. In the ongoing soap opera of the Cleveland County Board of Education, a new plot twist reared its head Friday, the day after the calm and professional school board candidate forum debate – call it a smear campaign, hit piece, attack, or just the truth – the focus was recently shifted onto current school board member, and candidate for the CCS Board of Education

The Board of Education Forum involved eight candidates from the CCGOP By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The board of education candidates before the event began, seated left to right, Robert Queen, Brandon Bridges, Aaron Bridges, Shelia Canipe, Rodney Fitch, Ronnie Grigg, Stephen Self, and Danny Blanton. Sherry Yocum, standing in red shirt, and moderator Dot Cherry on right. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent Thursday night’s Board of

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The school board forum will involve eight of the candidates, all republican, on Jan. 29, at The LeGrand Center. UPDATE: Jay Carpenter will not be attending as previously reported. Stephen Carroll Self will be attending now. Anyone interested in listening to the school board candidates’ personal stances on local education issues, and wanting to ask them questions, will have their chance next week.   The Cleveland County GOP and Moms