Wes Jamison, the incumbent, and newcomer Gayle Woody emerged victorious in the Jackson County Board of Education race.
During this election cycle, four candidates contended for two seats on the school board—Chairman Elizabeth Cooper, who opted not to seek reelection, and Wes Jamison, who sought reelection.
With results from all 13 precincts now available, Gayle Woody secured a substantial victory over her opponent Rainy Brake in district one. Woody captured 61.5% of the vote, totaling 4,569 votes, while Brake received 37.59%, amounting to 2,777 votes. Woody, a retired teacher with nearly 25 years of experience in Jackson County Schools, previously served a term as a county commissioner. She actively volunteers at United Christian Ministries, serves on the Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center Board, and is involved with the Arts Council. Both Woody and her husband have ties to Jackson County Schools, and their two children received their education in the system.
In district three, incumbent Wes Jamison triumphed over challenger Clint Irons. Jamison secured 56.91% of the vote, totaling 4,150 votes, while Irons received 42.64%, amounting to 3,109 votes.
Having grown up in Jackson County, attending Scotts Creek Elementary School, and graduating from Smoky Mountain High School, Jamison pursued structural engineering at N.C. State University. With 21 years of service with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Jamison’s commitment to education is evident as his children currently attend JCPS. He initially joined the school board in 2016 and successfully secured reelection in 2020.
