THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

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 Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Brandon Bridges Brandon Bridges, 36, is running for school board . I sat across the table from him at a café, as he explained why he was running for the Cleveland County Board of Education. “I think I can make a difference,” he said as he chowed down on some French fries, relaxed, personable, answering any question thrown at him. It may not be the answer you agree with, but he didn’t hesitate in having a response. (Since two candidat

Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent CCS School Board in public session, Jan. 12, 2026. Editor’s note: The Shelby Independent encourages anyone, any elected official to write and oped to be published in The Shelby Independent, or any news publication. That is your right and it shouldn’t be infringed upon by fear of retaliation of your peers. However, there are certain guidelines to follow, and we don’t want you or anyone else to get in trouble for speaking to the media. Pe

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The Cleveland County Board of Education during their meeting Monday night, Nov. 10, 2025 as they weighed their decisions on the school calendar for the 2026-27 school year. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent The Cleveland County Schools Board of Education voted in a contested 5-4 ballot Monday evening to approve the Calendar Option A which is a parent and staff favorite, and violates state law. Cleveland County Schools is jus

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent courtesy file photo Next year’s school calendar could potentially be decided at the next Cleveland County Schools Board of Education public meeting, Monday, Nov. 10. On the decision block are three different calendars, which vary in start dates, teacher workdays and end of semester before the holiday / winter / Christmas break. Option A, which is the popular choice among parents, violates state law and is considered illegal. A viola

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent CCS Board members pictured, from left, Walter Spurling, Danny Blanton, Ron Humphries, Joel Shores, Aaron Bridges and Ronnie Grigg. Not pictured, David Fisher, Gloria Sherman and Kenneth Ledford. Editor’s note: Read carefully. This is only a report of what transpired during the meeting and not to sway anyone to agree or disagree, but to present you with the facts and let you decide for yourself. Ultimately, it was stated that the mone

‘Great Schools don’t happen by accident’ was the de facto theme of Monday night’s Cleveland County School Board meeting.