School board

Board of Education, Rutherford County Schools

District 02

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A board of education member helps set policy, the budget and the superintendent's direction for Rutherford County Schools.

Residency district: every voter in the school district votes for this seat (the district is where the member must live; State Board March 3, 2026 primary precinct results).

Candidates Compare by issue

Kala Suttle

Republican

The gist

Pledges to focus on the school budget and fundraising
Pledges to help prevent future school closures

More about Kala

View sources (1)

Pledges to focus on the school budget and fundraising
School board candidates talk about future at forum
Debate / forum transcript · The Daily Courier · Feb 9, 2026 · thedigitalcourier.com
“Suttle said her primary concern is the budget, and fundraising.”
Pledges to help prevent future school closures
School board candidates talk about future at forum
Debate / forum transcript · The Daily Courier · Feb 9, 2026 · thedigitalcourier.com
“I would like to be a part of preventing that from happening in the future.”

Kisha McDowell

Democratic

Executive director, Grahamtown Team

The gist

Supports stronger reading instruction starting in elementary school

More about Kisha

View sources (1)

Supports stronger reading instruction starting in elementary school
School board candidates talk about future at forum
Debate / forum transcript · The Daily Courier · Feb 9, 2026 · thedigitalcourier.com
“McDowell is interested in improving students' reading.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 2 issues covered in this race.