Cherokee Scout, School board candidates face consolidation

James is from Andrews, North Carolina and attended Andrews High School. He has four children.

James is the owner of The Compound gym. He also served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years.

Cherokee County Schools, Board of Education

James Ellis is currently a member of the Cherokee County Board of Education. He is vicechair of the board.

Believes that the county has too many middle schools.

- Believes that the county has too many middle schools.

School Facilities & Resources

As of June 9, 2025, James Ellis did not have a website or any information online.

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

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James Ellis

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Jeff is from Andrews, North Carolina. He is married and has three children.

Jeff is a business application analyst at Western Carolina University.

Ballotpedia, Jeff Tatham

Jeff Tatham is currently a member of the Cherokee County Board of Education. He previously ran for Cherokee County Commissioner in 2022, but did not win.

Cherokee Scout, Election 2022 Profiles-Jeff Tatham

Supported the consolidation of Andrews and Murphy high schools into one school.

- Supported the consolidation of Andrews and Murphy high schools into one school.

As of June 9, 2025, Jeff Tatham did not have a website or any information online.

Supports increasing the pay of teachers and other school faculty.

- Supports increasing the pay of teachers and other school faculty.

- Opposes teaching "critical race theory."

Supports increasing funding for School Resource Officers so that every school will have one.

- Supports increasing funding for School Resource Officers so that every school will have one.

Jeff Tatham

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 