Three people are running to represent much of eastern Wake on the county’s school board for the next four years.
The District 1 incumbent, Cheryl Caulfield, isn’t running for reelection, so the community will have entirely new representation come December.
Jasmine Zavala, Sebrina Pierce and Bonnie Greaves are running for the open seat.
The District 1 seat is most of eastern Wake. It covers Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon, Rolesville and part of Wake Forest.
Countywide, four seats on the Wake County school board are up for election this November. The school board will have at least two new members because Caulfield and board member Chris Heagarty, who represents part of North Raleigh and Morrisville, aren’t running for reelection.
Eleven people have filed to run for those four seats. Terms are four years.
Whoever is on the next school board will have to contend with budget crunches and high demands for additional resources and more facility repairs.
The school board oversees the superintendent, makes policies and sets the school district’s budget, which tops $2.2 billion.
Voters can find out who is on their ballot by looking up their sample ballot on the state’s voter search website. They can also learn who represents them on the school district’s website.
Candidates have participated in forums with the Wake PTA and with the League of Women Voters of Wake County, posted on the groups’ YouTube pages.
WRAL sent a list of questions to each school board member about their biggest priorities and how they would tackle the biggest issues facing the school system. We asked them about artificial intelligence, school safety, teacher pay, laptops and academics.
Some responses have been edited lightly for clarity, style and formatting.
BONNIE GREAVES
Greaves didn’t complete WRAL’s candidate questionnaire.
Her campaign website says she is running “to support teachers, serve every student, and bring experienced, accountable leadership to the Wake County School Board.”
Greaves lists supporting teachers, supporting every student through proper resources, and holding programs accountable for results.
Her website says she’s an Army veteran and mother of four who has worked in schools for years, in special education and as an English teacher.
Greaves is endorsed by the Wake County Republican Party.
SEBRINA PIERCE
Occupation: Account Coordinator
Previous public service experience includes: Includes volunteering at local food banks and fitness groups
Campaign website or page:Votesebrinap.com
Q: Why are you running for school board?
A: Having experienced our school system as both a parent and grandparent, I have seen its strengths as well as areas where I believe we can continue to improve. I have worked in different areas of business and employment where teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making were important. My experience as a parent, grandparent, community member, and working professional gives me a valuable perspective.
Q: What are your top three priorities for the school board?
A: My top three priorities are better budgeting for career and entrepreneurial focused programs, safety for students and staff, and better functioning school conditions.
Q: The school district has in recent years facedongoing concerns with HVAC and classroom temperatures, as well asother facility issues. How would you address those concerns, and how would you weigh those needs against potential property tax increases?
A: I believe we need to make the best use of our current budget by prioritizing necessary repairs, improving maintenance, and making sure our existing facilities are managed responsibly. By taking better care of the buildings and resources we already have, we can help extend their usefulness while planning responsibly for future growth.
Q: The school district has had stagnant enrollment for the past several years and isn’t expected to grow much in the next decade, resulting in flat revenues from state and federal sources that are doled out on a per-pupil basis. At the same time, costs are increasing — a reality that has led totwo budget adjustments, including cuts of some services, in Wake during just one budget cycle earlier this year. How would you confront this reality? What would you prioritize keeping, cutting or making further investments in?
A: We have to be realistic about the district’s financial challenges and be careful about how every dollar is spent. My priority would be protecting the things that directly affect students, including teachers, classroom support, special education, school safety, and maintaining our facilities. Before cutting those areas, I would want to look closely at administrative costs, programs, and other spending to find ways to be more efficient. I would also want to listen to those affected and look at the long-term impact before making major budget decisions.
Q: State test results from this spring showcontinued growth in proficiency rates among Wake students across subject areas. Though proficiency rates have improved, the school board’s stated goal is for 90% of students to test on grade level by 2028. How would you ensure schools are set up to reach that goal?
A: The district can implement stronger curriculum and better approaches to student testing. Not every student learns or tests in the same way. While it may be challenging to accommodate every student, I believe finding more ways to support different learning styles could help keep students engaged, encouraged, and successful in the learning process.
Q: The school board iscontemplating a detailed policy addressing how employees and students can or should use artificial intelligence. What should that policy say?
A: I think AI can be a useful educational tool when used responsibly. The policy should provide clear guidelines for students and staff while making sure students are still doing their own thinking and learning. AI should support education, not replace the learning process or the role of teachers.
Q: How should the district manage student-issued devices, such as laptops or tablets, in the future? What access should children have to those devices? How often should children use them to learn?
A: Computers should be provided as a learning tool, but we need to make sure they are used properly and effectively. Students should have access to technology when it supports their education, while teachers should determine when computers are helpful and when students need time away from them. The district should also have clear expectations for responsible use, internet safety, and taking care of school-issued devices.
Q: Arecent survey of students found that most students feel safe in school but that they believe school safety can and should be improved. Half of them noted concerns about bathrooms and some said they wanted more staff monitoring, consistent approaches to door locking, better emergency drills or weapons detection systems. How would you address safety concerns in the district?
A: I believe we need to listen to students and take their safety concerns seriously. I would support stronger monitoring, consistent door-locking procedures, better emergency drills, and exploring weapons detection systems where appropriate. I also think we need to address concerns in areas like bathrooms so students feel safe throughout the entire school.
Q: A recent WRAL News analysis found that Wake pays less to its teachers than the school districts in nearly all comparable metropolitan areas within about an eight-hour drive. What should the school board do, if anything, about that difference?
A: Our teachers should be paid fairly and competitively. I would want the board to look closely at where we stand compared with other districts and find ways to improve teacher compensation while being responsible with the district’s budget. We need to make sure our teachers feel valued and have a reason to stay in Wake County.
Q: After the school district announced layoffs for special education staff this spring,pushback from the community and school board prompted the district to reverse that proposal. Many families and staff said special education is already understaffed and underfunded. What should the school board do, if anything, to address those concerns?
A: Special education students and the staff who support them need the resources and support they deserve. I would want the board to listen to families and staff, look closely at staffing and funding needs, and make sure we are putting resources where they are needed most. These students should not be overlooked when budget decisions are made.
JASMINE ZAVALA
Occupation: Small business manager; former public school teacher
Previous public service experience includes: Wake County Public School System graduate and former North Carolina public school teacher, AmeriCorps and Teach For America member, former Equal Employment Opportunity Commission policy analyst.
Campaign website or page:jasmineforwakeschools.com
Endorsements include: Wake chapter of the North Carolina Association of Educators and Wake County Democratic Party. Recognized as a 2026 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate, Raleigh Wake Citizens Association, Wake County Voter Education Coalition
A: Education changed my life, and I believe every child deserves that same opportunity. As a former teacher and WCPSS graduate, I want to advocate for our students, teachers and families.
A: Student success, teacher support, and responsible use of school resources.
A: Safe and comfortable learning environments are essential. I would prioritize critical facility needs, evaluate <a href="https://myappsplus.com/apples-new-m6-imac-now-<a href="https://myappsplus.com/apples-most-affordable-new-m6-macbook-pro-is-now-available-for-pre-order/” title=”Apple's most affordable new M6 MacBook Pro is now available for pre-order”>available-for-pre-order/” title=”Apple's new M6 iMac now available for pre-order”>available resources, and advocate for responsible funding decisions.
A: My priority would be protecting classroom resources and student services while evaluating spending to ensure we’re using our funding responsibly. And see what’s already working.
A: I would focus on student growth and ensuring teachers have the resources to meet students where they are academically.
A: AI should support teaching and learning, not replace critical thinking or meaningful classroom instruction. Clear guidelines, student privacy, and age-appropriate use are important.
A: Technology should be used intentionally and based on students’ developmental and academic needs. There should be a healthy balance between technology and traditional instruction.
A: I would listen to students, educators, and families while supporting consistent safety procedures, appropriate staff training, and safe learning environments.
A: We must remain competitive in recruiting and retaining qualified educators. I would continue advocating for better teacher compensation and stronger support at the local and state levels.
A: Every student deserves the resources and support they need to succeed. I would prioritize listening to special education educators and families while advocating for adequate staffing and funding.
