Abigail Clayton moved to Jackson County in 1995. She attended middle grades at Cullowhee Valley School, graduated from Smoky Mountain High School in 2001, and went on to attend Western Carolina University earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting (2006) and a Masters in Business Administration (2010).

Jackson County Public Schools - Board Members

After completing her undergraduate degree, Abigail began working for State Employees Credit Union where she is a Senior Financial Services Officer. Mrs. Clayton has also been the local program coordinator for Special Olympics North Carolina Jackson County since 2007. Mrs. Clayton is married, and her son attends Jackson County Public Schools.

Abigail Blakley Clayton moved to Jackson County in 1995. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration, with a concentration in accounting, and a master's degree in business administration from Western Carolina University. She has been the local program coordinator for Special Olympics North Carolina Jackson County since 2007, is married, and has a son who attends Jackson County Public Schools.

Board Members

Abigail Blakley Clayton earned a bachelor's degree in business administration, with a concentration in accounting, and a master's degree in business administration from Western Carolina University. She has been the local program coordinator for Special Olympics North Carolina Jackson County since 2007. She is married, and has one child.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Abigail began working for State Employees Credit Union where she is a Senior Financial Services Officer. Mrs. Clayton has also been the local program coordinator for Special Olympics North Carolina Jackson County since 2007.

Abigail Blakley Clayton works as a senior financial services officer at State Employees Credit Union.

Mrs. Clayton was elected to serve a four-year term in July 2018, and re-elected in 2022. Her current term expires in 2026.

### Abigail Clayton

Vice Chair Represents District 2 101 Fishermans Lane Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 506-1035

* Email Abigail Clayton

Represents District 2

* Sylva-North Ward
* Scotts Creek

Abigail was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022 to represent District 2 on the Jackson County Board of Education. Her current term expires in 2026.

Abigail currently represents District 2 on the Jackson County Board of Education. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her second term.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As of September 2, 2026, Abigail Blakley Clayton did not have a website or any information online.

School Facilities & Resources

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

After brief, inaudible discussion between board members, there was a third motion to retain school-based athletic teams with no conditions. Two members of the board were in favor, while Abigail Clayton, Elizabeth Cooper and Wes Jamison were opposed.

Jackson votes to keep school-based and district sports in place - Smoky Mountain News

Voted against retaining school-based athletic teams without conditions.

- Voted against retaining school-based athletic teams without conditions.

Student Wellbeing

Abigail Blakley Clayton

Introduced financial education in local schools during her career.

Pledges to prioritize improving students' education and well-being in board decisions.

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As of September 2, 2026, Abigail Blakley Clayton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Chazzy Bailey

Walter Ley

Experience in education: While I am not a formal educator, I am a huge supporter of our local schools. I am an active volunteer with JCPS and my career has allowed me to introduce financial education in our local schools.

Race for Jackson County School Board

Top priorities for Jackson County Schools: I will strive to give all stakeholders (parents, the community and our local educators) the transparency and the voice they want and deserve. I am proud of our strong leadership and will continue to support their efforts to do what is right for the children of Jackson County. I will ensure that improving the education and well-being of our students is at the forefront of all decisions.

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system