As of June 23, 2024, Tom Ross did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

BallotPedia, Tom Ross (Watauga County Board of Education, North Carolina, candidate 2024)

Tom Ross's campaign for Watauga County Board of Education is his first run for public office.

As of June 20, 2025, Tom Ross did not have a website or any information online.

School Facilities & Resources

Access to Education

Teachers

WFDD, 8 candidates are running for seats on the Watauga County Board of Education

Believes "there needs to be more emphasis on the basics of reading, writing and math. David Aaron Grig says he would like to see more focus on outside activities such as gardening and exercise."

- Believes "there needs to be more emphasis on the basics of reading, writing and math. David Aaron Grig says he would like to see more focus on outside activities such as gardening and exercise."

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

Tom Ross

LinkedIn

Adam holds an associate's degree from Davidson Community College, a bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a master's degree in sports studies and exercise from High Point University, a master's degree in public administration from Appalachian State University, and a doctorate degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has children.

Adam works as an undergraduate program director and an associate professor of public health. He previously worked as a recreation programmer and fitness instructor. 

Ballotpedia, Adam Hege

Adam Hege's campaign for Watauga County Board of Education Member is his first run for public office. 

As of June 20, 2025, Adam Hege did not have a website or any information online.

Questionnaire Responses – Adam Hege

Supports public education, and believes "public school systems are one of our most vital assets and that they make a major impact on the broader community for future generations."

Believes insufficient funding for public education statewide is an issue.

- Supports public education, and believes "public school systems are one of our most vital assets and that they make a major impact on the broader community for future generations."
- Believes insufficient funding for public education statewide is an issue.

Believes recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers, administrators, and staff is the most important issue facing Watauga County Schools.

Promises to be a "tireless advocate for teacher pay and adequate funding for our school system...", as he believes state legislature does not provide sufficient funding for county public schools.

Promises to work with stakeholders across the U.S. to address what he considers major concerns, such as housing, as he believes such issues hurt the school system and the ability to recruit and retain top educational personnel.

- Believes recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers, administrators, and staff is the most important issue facing Watauga County Schools.
- Promises to be a "tireless advocate for teacher pay and adequate funding for our school system...", as he believes state legislature does not provide sufficient funding for county public schools.
- Promises to work with stakeholders across the U.S. to address what he considers major concerns, such as housing, as he believes such issues hurt the school system and the ability to recruit and retain top educational personnel.

Opposes the “Moms for Liberty” organization, saying "I do not see banning books, harassing teachers and other public-school officials, or attacking the LGBTQ population and other marginalized populations as pursuing “liberty”, helping schools, or improving the quality of education that children receive."

- Opposes the “Moms for Liberty” organization, saying "I do not see banning books, harassing teachers and other public-school officials, or attacking the LGBTQ population and other marginalized populations as pursuing “liberty”, helping schools, or improving the quality of education that children receive."

Supports increasing spending for "school-based support services, including mental health professionals and social workers."

- Supports increasing spending for "school-based support services, including mental health professionals and social workers."

Adam Hege

Facebook

Alison was born and raised in Watauga County and she currently resides in Boone, North Carolina. She attended Appalachian State University and is married with children and grandchildren.

As of June 22, 2024, Alison Carroll Idol did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Ballot Pedia

Alison Carroll Idol's campaign for County Board of Education Member in Watauga County is her first run for public office.

As of June 20, 2025, Alison Carroll Idol did not have a website or any information online.

Said, "I appreciate our wonderful teachers!"

Supports providing teachers with professional development funding.

- Said, "I appreciate our wonderful teachers!"
- Supports providing teachers with professional development funding.

Instagram

Alison Carroll Idol

Chad is from Watauga County and attended Watauga High School. He has an associates degree in biblical studies from Andersonville Theological Seminary. Chad is married and has three children.

Chad works in mission & group travel sales for Wilcox World Travel and Tours/American Express. He is also a pastor at Chestnut Dale Baptist Church. He has worked as a travel manager for Samaritan's Purse, as a Firefighter and EMS instructor for Mayland Community College, and as a EMS captain and fire lieutenant for Cove Creek Fire Department. 

Chad Cole's campaign for Watauga County Board of Education Member is his first entry into politics. 

Candidate website

Believes there are numerous areas in Watauga County public schools needing increased funding, including educator salaries, free meals, school-sponsored field trips, fully funded nurses and SROs, improved trades class equipment, full-time receptionists, and athletic program support.

Supports increased funding for educator salaries, free meals, school-sponsored field trips, fully funded nurses and SROs, improved trades class equipment, full-time receptionists, and athletic program support.

- Supports increased funding for educator salaries, free meals, school-sponsored field trips, fully funded nurses and SROs, improved trades class equipment, full-time receptionists, and athletic program support.

Supports empowering parents to make educational decisions for their children, including access to school choice programs and opposing efforts to limit parental rights.

Supports SB 49, the "Parent’s Bill of Rights," believing it enhances parental involvement and communication in public schools.

Supports increasing public participation in Watauga’s schools by holding BOE meetings in various schools and live streaming them. Believes local businesses should focus more on supporting local students rather than the college.

Supports increasing public participation in Watauga’s schools by holding BOE meetings in various schools and live streaming them.

- Supports empowering parents to make educational decisions for their children, including access to school choice programs and opposing efforts to limit parental rights.
- Supports SB 49, the "Parent’s Bill of Rights," believing it enhances parental involvement and communication in public schools.
- Supports increasing public participation in Watauga’s schools by holding BOE meetings in various schools and live streaming them.

Believes retention is the biggest challenge due to low educator salaries and the affordable housing crisis. Supports faculty housing to help teachers establish roots in the community.

- Believes retention is the biggest challenge due to low educator salaries and the affordable housing crisis. Supports faculty housing to help teachers establish roots in the community.

Believes in promoting innovative programs to develop students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Supports a comprehensive education that includes both academic and real-world skills to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

Supports a comprehensive education that includes both academic and real-world skills to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

Believes in "protecting our children from harmful and divisive ideologies" in school curricula. Supports upholding the nation’s founding principles in educational standards.

Believes in "protecting our children from harmful and divisive ideologies" in school curricula. 

- Supports a comprehensive education that includes both academic and real-world skills to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
- Believes in "protecting our children from harmful and divisive ideologies" in school curricula. 

Supports securing permanent funding for school nurses and SROs, and increasing local emergency services' involvement in schools to enhance safety and education.

Believes in prioritizing student well-being through programs addressing mental health, bullying, and extracurricular activities. Supports a well-rounded education that meets students' social and emotional needs.

Believes in prioritizing student well-being through programs addressing mental health, bullying, and extracurricular activities. 

Believes in prioritizing safety and security in schools, including training for active shooter response. Supports comprehensive student wellbeing initiatives, such as school safety measures and counseling services.

Believes in prioritizing safety and security in schools, including training for active shooter response. 

- Supports securing permanent funding for school nurses and SROs, and increasing local emergency services' involvement in schools to enhance safety and education.
- Believes in prioritizing student well-being through programs addressing mental health, bullying, and extracurricular activities. 
- Believes in prioritizing safety and security in schools, including training for active shooter response. 

Twitter

Chad Cole

Pam's Picks, Questionnaire Responses

Charlotte earned her bachelor's degree from Old Dominion University. She has two children.

Charlotte currently works as a guardian ad litem in Watauga County, where she advocates for children. She previously worked as a teacher. 

Charlotte Mizelle Lloyd's campaign for the Watauga County Board of Education is her first run for public office. 

As of June 20, 2025, Charlotte Mizelle Lloyd did not have a website or any information online.

Suopports vocational programs for those not going to college.

- Suopports vocational programs for those not going to college.

Wants to improve teacher pay to attract and keep qualified teachers.

- Wants to improve teacher pay to attract and keep qualified teachers.

Said, "Our children deserve the best education we can give them and it begins with motivated teachers who love inspiring kids to learn and follow their career dreams."

- Said, "Our children deserve the best education we can give them and it begins with motivated teachers who love inspiring kids to learn and follow their career dreams."

Charlotte Mizelle Lloyd

As of June 23, 2024, Marshall Ashcraft did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

2024 Board of Education Candidate Questionnaire 

Marshall previously worked in the Watauga County School system for 13 years.

Marshall Ashcraft is currently a member of the Watauga County Board of Education. Marshall was elected in 2021, and is serving his first term.

As of June 20, 2025, Marshall Ashcraft did not have a website or any information online.

Supports increased teacher pay to improve teacher retention rates.

- Supports increased teacher pay to improve teacher retention rates.

Supported safety upgrades, including School Resource Officers in every school and increased training and safety exercises.

- Supported safety upgrades, including School Resource Officers in every school and increased training and safety exercises.

Marshall Ashcraft

- 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. 