Herman Lee Tyson JR

Herman Lee Tyson Jr. is the Democratic candidate for an at‑large seat on the Scotland County Board of Education in the 2026 North Carolina general election (Nov 3, 2026) ¹. The Board of Education is an elected body that governs the county’s public schools, setting policy, approving budgets, and overseeing the superintendent ¹.

Tyson is a lifelong resident of Scotland County. He graduated from Scotland High School in 1984 and later earned a certification in master planning and scheduling from the University of Wisconsin‑Madison ⁷. He works as an account/customer‑service representative for Meritor, Inc. in Maxton ⁷.

Tyson has been active in community service for decades. He serves as president of the Scotland County NAACP and as vice‑chair of the Scotland County Civic League ⁷¹⁰. He also holds leadership roles in his church, Nazareth Missionary Baptist, where he chairs the Deacon Ministry, mentors youth, and serves on the finance committee ⁷. His civic involvement includes past board membership with Habitat for Humanity, a district deputy position for the North Carolina NAACP, membership in Mt. Scottish Lodge #188, and participation on the Scotland County Business Advisory Council ⁷.

Tyson first entered elected office in July 2017 when he was appointed to the Scotland County Board of Education representing Stewartsville Township, filling the unexpired term of former member Darrell “BJ” Gibson ¹¹¹². He won election to a full term in 2018 and his current term is set to expire in December 2026 ¹¹¹². In 2024 he also ran for an at‑large seat on the Scotland County Board of Commissioners, receiving 427 votes in the Democratic primary ⁹.

In his 2024 filing for the school board, Tyson said his motivation is to ensure the district “adheres to the highest standards and ethics” and to provide “the very best public education possible” for students ⁷. He expressed concern about teacher turnover and pledged to work on retention plans ⁷.

Tyson’s public statements reflect a focus on equity and community engagement. As NAACP president, he has spoken out on social‑justice issues and has advocated for respectful discourse among county officials ¹⁰. His combined experience in education governance, civil‑rights leadership, and local business gives him a broad perspective on the challenges facing Scotland County schools.

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