THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Dr. Chris Bennett speaks from the podium as the Board of Education listens, with Gloria Sherman and Kenneth Ledford pictured. | Chuck Thompson EDUCATION – In a special called 11 a.m. meeting on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, the Cleveland County Board of Education voted 6-3 to hire Dr. Chris Bennett as the new permanent CCS Superintendent. After Chairman Joel Shores called the meeting to order and asked for a motion, Board Member Ron Humphr

By Ron Humphries | Contributing columnist to The Shelby Independent | Opinion Editor's note: This is a two part opinion series due to its length. This is the second part. Access Part one here https://www.shelbyindependent.com/post/zoning-for-ai-data-centers-part-1-squaring-the-circle-2026-tech-meets-1926-zoning OPINION – As noted in the first part of this two part series, government exists to safeguard the public's health, safety, and welfare, and zoning ordinances are essent

By Ron Humphries | Contributing columnist to The Shelby Independent | Opinion Editor's note: This is a two part opinion series due to its length. The second part will be published on Thursday. OPINION – Let me start by saying I appreciate your patience with the length, technical jargon, and prosaic nature of this column. The complexity of zoning for AI Data Centers makes it hard to present the information in a simpler format. Still, I hope the detailed approach helps to clari

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Schools Board of Education press release EDUCATION — The Cleveland County Board of Education is proud to share the outstanding academic progress achieved during the 2025–26 school year, following the official release of accountability data by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. District-wide Grade Level Proficiency rose by 7% compared to the previous 2024-25 school year, with Cleveland County Schools outperforming the North Ca

By Ron Humphries | Contributing Columnist for The Sunday Column OPINION — Growing up in an era defined by black-and-white TV news broadcasts, I vividly recall the authoritative voice of Walter Cronkite, whose signature sign-off, "And that's the way it is," epitomized his commitment to pure journalism. The role of the Press was pivotal in shaping democracy, and the Founding Fathers understood this, viewing a free press as essential for an informed citizenry and a healthy gover

By Ron Humphries | Special Contributor to The Shelby Independent OPINION — In today's political landscape, local leaders often present themselves as knights in shining armor, swooping in to save their communities from crises. Their altruistic acts, like community outreach programs or fundraising initiatives, may seem genuine. Still, we must ask: what truly distinguishes authentic altruism from strategic self-promotion? Understanding this helps us critically evaluate their mo

By Ron Humphries | Special Guest Op-Ed Columnist for The Shelby Independent OPINION — Every morning, a familiar political ritual plays out. Lawmakers propose sweeping bans on classroom screens, restrictions on Artificial Intelligence, and demand a retreat to the "three R’s." This crusade frames digital technology as an unprecedented monster devouring young minds. Yet, declaring that technology has ruined education is merely the latest repetition of a script society has recite

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 Ron Humphries | Guest Opinion Humphries North Carolina's school calendar law, established in 2004, required public schools to start the academic year no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26. The original aim was to support tourism in the coastal counties. However, as time has passed, it has generated much debate about its adverse effects on education and community needs across the state, particularly in economically challenged rural counties with greater workforce

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