School board

Board of Education, Jones County Schools

Vote for: 3
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 4
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A board of education member helps set policy, the budget and the superintendent's direction for Jones County Schools.

Candidates Compare by issue

Keith Parrish

Democratic

Retired teacher

The gist

Supports making school safety a top priority
Supports adequate resources for teachers
Supports retaining school administrators, teachers and staff

More about Keith

View sources (1)

Supports making school safety a top priority
Meet your Jones County Candidates for the 2026 Election
News coverage · WCTI-12 · Feb 27, 2026 · wcti12.com
“School Safety - Students do their best learning when they feel safe, both physically and emotionally”
Supports adequate resources for teachers
Meet your Jones County Candidates for the 2026 Election
News coverage · WCTI-12 · Feb 27, 2026 · wcti12.com
“These educators must be supported with adequate and appropriate resources.”
Supports retaining school administrators, teachers and staff
Meet your Jones County Candidates for the 2026 Election
News coverage · WCTI-12 · Feb 27, 2026 · wcti12.com
“Staff Retention - Schools operate at their best when there is a consistent set of administrators, educators, and staff.”

Charles (Chance) Gray III

Republican

The gist

No documented position found.

More about Charles

Lisa Byrd

RepublicanIncumbent

Jones County Board of Education member; trucking and towing business owner

The gist

Supported placing school resource officers in all schools
Supports career-technical and College to Career Promise programs
Pledges to retain staff and stay transparent

More about Lisa

View sources (1)

Supported placing school resource officers in all schools
Meet your Jones County Candidates for the 2026 Election
News coverage · WCTI-12 · Feb 27, 2026 · wcti12.com
“Key achievements include placing SROs in all schools”
Supports career-technical and College to Career Promise programs
Meet your Jones County Candidates for the 2026 Election
News coverage · WCTI-12 · Feb 27, 2026 · wcti12.com
“This is why the college-to-career promise program and Career and technical Education programs are vital instruments for Jones County Schools.”
Pledges to retain staff and stay transparent
Meet your Jones County Candidates for the 2026 Election
News coverage · WCTI-12 · Feb 27, 2026 · wcti12.com
“remain transparent, retain staff, and most importantly, support students”

Debbie Philyaw

RepublicanIncumbent

Jones County Board of Education member

The gist

No documented position found.

More about Debbie

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 2 issues covered in this race.