2026 North Carolina General Election

Judy N. Jackson has been on the school board for 20 years representing Cooper Gap. Her children graduated from, and her grandchildren currently attend, Polk County schools.

Polk Schools: Status quo or is it time for change?

Judy N. Jackson has children who graduated from Polk County schools and grandchildren who currently attend the district's schools.

Polk Schools: Status quo, or is it time for change? | The Tryon Daily ...

Her resume includes 15 years with Little League, driving a school bus, chairing Head Start, and serving as PTO president. “One reason I’m on the school board is because I love children,” she says, “and I know that my input is important to make sure that our children have a wonderful education.

Judy N. Jackson previously drove a school bus.

Judy has served on the Polk County Board of Education representing Cooper Gap for 20 years.

Judy currently serves in the Polk County Board of Education.

As of January 5, 2026, Judy N. Jackson did not have a website or any information online.

School Facilities & Resources

“One reason I’m on the school board is because I love children,” she says, “and I know that my input is important to make sure that our children have a wonderful education. I like being a voice for the children to make sure that they have a quality education.” Jackson argues that since not all PCHS graduates go to college, the board needs to focus on opportunities and technology for those students.

Advocates for opportunities and technology for high school graduates who do not attend college.

- Advocates for opportunities and technology for high school graduates who do not attend college.

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

“I think there has to be two-way communication and I think that’s kinda got lost along the way … that has to start back, to where parents feel like they are important in the school system because their child is there and they want to be involved.” Jackson says teachers should not be involved in affirming a child’s gender identity without parental approval. “God gave us our life and He created that. He created it for a reason and if He wanted us to be a girl, He would’ve made us a girl. If He wanted us to be a boy, he would’ve made us a boy.”

To build trust in the community, Jackson says she is transparent, a good listener, honest and willing to discuss things in a calm manner. The decision to mask children should have been up to parents, she says. Procedures are in place to handle objections to curriculum and books, and a media specialist is now in place to work on any reviews necessary in conjunction with parents, she says.

Opposes teachers affirming a student's gender identity without parental approval.

Said parents should decide whether their children wear masks.

- Opposes teachers affirming a student's gender identity without parental approval.
- Said parents should decide whether their children wear masks.

Student Wellbeing

Judy N. Jackson

As of January 5, 2026, Judy N. Jackson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judy N. Jackson has children who graduated from Polk County schools and grandchildren who currently attend the schools. She has been involved with Little League for 15 years and has chaired the Head Start program and served as PTO president.

Judy N. Jackson previously worked as a school bus driver.

Judy N. Jackson has been on the school board for 20 years representing Cooper Gap. Her children graduated from, and her grandchildren currently attend, Polk County schools. Her resume includes 15 years with Little League, driving a school bus, chairing Head Start, and serving as PTO president.

Judy has experience driving a school bus. She also worked for 15 years with Little League. 

Judy is currently a member of the Polk County Board of Education.

Sahid Burgos

Buket Urgen

- 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

Polk County Board of Education Member, Cooper Gap District

Candidates (1)