The Ballot Brief
Henderson County, North Carolina

Henderson County Board of Education

5 candidates are tracked for Henderson County Board of Education on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Shelia Dale, Randy Beaver, Reid J. Barwick, Alyssa Norman and Mary Ellen Kustin. Candidate information follows official Henderson County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Five candidates for three at-large seats: Republican incumbents Shelia Dale and Alyssa Norman face Republican newcomer Randy Beaver and Democrats Reid J. Barwick and Mary Ellen Kustin on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per Hendersonville Lightning's final candidate list. Voters choose up to three.

What this office does

School board member. The school board is the governing body of a public school district. It hires and evaluates the superintendent, adopts the district budget, sets policies on curriculum, discipline, attendance boundaries and facilities, and approves contracts and collective bargaining agreements. Day-to-day operations belong to the superintendent; the board sets direction and holds the administration accountable.

This race. Voters choose 3; the top 3 finishers win seats.

North Carolina › Henderson County › Henderson County Board of Education

Shelia Dale

Republican

Biography

Shelia Dale serves on the Henderson County Board of Public Education, per the district's official board roster. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

Randy Beaver

Republican

Biography

Randy Beaver works in general contracting and is making his first run for elected office, per his Branch Politics candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Randy Beaver.

Reid J. Barwick

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Revive vocational education programs
  • Teach financial literacy and life skills to students
  • Ensure graduates have career pathways and options, including preparation for AI and future job markets

Per the Henderson County Democratic Party candidate page.

Biography

Reid J. Barwick has a professional background spanning executive management in corporate hospitality procurement for resorts and casinos, along with logistics and retail work, per the Henderson County Democratic Party's candidate page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Reid J. Barwick.

Alyssa Norman

Republican

Biography

Alyssa Norman serves on the Henderson County Board of Public Education, per the district's official board roster. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

Mary Ellen Kustin

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Keep public schools safe and fully funded
  • Ensure schools teach honest and accurate information and oppose book censorship

Per the Henderson County Democratic Party candidate page.

Biography

Mary Ellen Kustin is the program director for United Way of Henderson County, holding a bachelor's degree in mathematics and master's degrees in sustainable development and conservation biology and in public policy, per the Henderson County Democratic Party's candidate page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Mary Ellen Kustin.

Next on your ballotHenderson County Clerk of Superior Court

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Henderson County Board of Education in 2026?

5 candidates are tracked for Henderson County Board of Education on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Shelia Dale, Randy Beaver, Reid J. Barwick, Alyssa Norman and Mary Ellen Kustin. Candidate information follows official Henderson County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Henderson County Board of Education election in North Carolina?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are on the North Carolina election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Henderson County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Henderson County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full Henderson County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Henderson County ballot

27 tracked races in Henderson County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Henderson County Register of DeedsHenderson County SheriffDistrict Attorney District 42See all 27 Henderson County races
Candidate profiles
Shelia Dale, full profileRandy Beaver, full profileReid J. Barwick, full profileAlyssa Norman, full profileMary Ellen Kustin, full profileOfficial North Carolina election office