The Clay County Schools Board of Education consists of five members who serve four-year terms.  

This year, 2026, three of the five seats are up for election, in accordance with the Policy Code: 2110 (see below).  

Policy Code: 1010 Board Authority and Duties

The Clay County Board of Education (the "board") is a body corporate and has general control and supervision of all matters pertaining to the public schools of the school system and the authority to enforce the school law. All powers and duties conferred and imposed by law respecting public schools, which are not expressly conferred and imposed upon some other official, are conferred and imposed by law upon the board.

The board will provide a system of schools; establish general policies in keeping with the needs of the community and the requirements of state law; and perform all specific duties imposed by law. The board considers some of its most significant duties to be the following:

1. providing every student with the opportunity to receive a sound basic education as defined by the North Carolina Supreme Court in Leandro v. State;

2. providing leadership and direction through the formulation of goals and objectives, especially in defining and setting high academic standards for student success;

3. creating policies that establish standards, accountability, and evaluation of essential operations of the school system;

4. taking steps necessary to help ensure legal compliance of board and school system functions;

5. performing judicial functions by conducting hearings as appropriate or as required by law regarding decisions of school system personnel or the board;

6. hiring a superintendent, supporting the superintendent in his or her administration, and evaluating and responding to recommendations made by the superintendent, including recommendations pertaining to the educational program and facility needs;

7. considering the budget recommended by the superintendent, presenting the budget to the county commissioners, and adopting a budget after evaluating whether the county commissioners' appropriation is sufficient to support a system of free public schools; and

8. being an advocate for the school system, for employees, and especially for students in all interactions with other governmental entities and the public.

Legal References: G.S. 115C-36, -40, -44, -47; Leandro v. State, 346 N.C. 336 (1997)

Cross References:

Adopted: April 25, 2016

Policy Code: 2110 Board Member Elections

A. Qualifications

Any person possessing the qualifications for election to public office as provided in Article VI, Section 6 of the Constitution of North Carolina and who is a qualified voter and resident of the election district from which he or she seeks to be elected is eligible to serve as a member of the Clay County Board of Education (the “board”).

Any person elected or appointed to the board and also employed by the board must resign his or her employment before taking office as a member of the board.

B. Membership and Terms of Office

The Clay County Board of Education will consist of five members.  All terms will be for four years with the terms staggered so that as nearly equal to one-half as possible will expire every two years.  All elections are partisan and are to be held at the time of the general election in even-numbered years.  Candidates for election to the board will be nominated at the same time and manner as other county officers.

C. Oath of Office

Before taking office, newly elected board members will take and sign the following oath or affirmation at the board meeting held in December following their election:

“I, ______________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the Constitution and laws of the State of North Carolina not inconsistent therewith, and that I will faithfully discharge my duties as a member of the Clay County Board of Education, so help me God [omit phrase if affirming].”

If a board member enters on the duties of his or her office before taking, subscribing, and filing the oath of office, he or she will be ejected from office.

Legal References: N.C. Const. art. VI,§§ 6 and 7; G.S. 14-229; 115C-35, -37; N.C. Session Laws 2015-35

Cross References: 

Adopted: May 23, 2016

Revised: December 17, 2018