Darius Felix Shackleford

Darius Felix Shackleford is a Democratic candidate for an at‑large seat on the Greene County Board of Education in the 2026 North Carolina general election. The board sets policy, oversees the county’s public schools, and is responsible for budgeting, curriculum decisions, and hiring of superintendents.

Shackleford is a 67‑year‑old retired veteran who lives at 687 Moore Rouse Rd in Snow Hill. He has spent more than three decades volunteering with youth and, after his military service, has been active in community initiatives aimed at supporting children from high‑risk environments. His public profile does not list formal higher‑education credentials, but his life experience includes overcoming personal challenges, having been clean from drug addiction for over 35 years. [5]

Professionally, Shackleford’s career was in the armed forces, after which he retired. He has not held elected office before 2022, but he was sworn in as a member of the Greene County Board of Education on December 19, 2022, following his successful 2022 campaign for an at‑large seat. The swearing‑in was reported by local news and confirms his prior service on the board. [8] In the 2022 election he ran alongside two other Democrats and one Republican for three at‑large seats, appearing on the November 8 general‑election ballot. [1]

During a Q&A with The Standard newspaper, Shackleford outlined his motivations and priorities. He said he wants to move from “working with kids” to influencing policy, positioning himself as an “open ear” for teachers, parents, and students. He highlighted teacher recruitment and retention, class‑size reduction, and the recent funding for a new high school as key issues. He also emphasized increasing diversity among staff and students, drawing on his personal experience with addiction and community violence to inform his perspective. [5]

Shackleford’s platform therefore centers on improving teacher recruitment, maintaining manageable class sizes, leveraging new facilities to address space constraints, and fostering a more diverse and inclusive school environment. His prior board service gives him experience with the board’s procedural responsibilities, and his community‑volunteer background provides a grassroots connection to families across Greene County.

If elected in 2026, Shackleford would bring a blend of veteran discipline, long‑term youth advocacy, and firsthand experience with the challenges faced by students in economically distressed areas, aiming to shape policies that support both educators and learners in Greene County.

Sources

• [1] Darius Shackleford (Greene County Board of Education, North Carolina, candidate 2022) - Ballotpedia
• [5] Q&A: Greene County Board of Education | The Standard News | reflector.com
• [8] Greene County Board of education Swears in New Board Members — Neuse News