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2026 primary election candidate list final as filing ends - Avery Journal

Coleman Bailey has a doctorate degree in educational leadership from East Tennessee State University. He lives in Montezuma. 

Coleman is an educator. He previously worked as the director of alternative and virtual education for Avery County Schools, where he created and ran Avery County Virtual Academy. He also served as an assistant principal at Charles D. Owen High School for two years. Before taking on administrative roles, he spent 29 years teaching science classes.

Welcome Dr. Bailey! | C.D. Owen Middle

Coleman is currently the high school assistant principal at Watauga High School & Innovation Academy. Previously, he was the director of the Western Regional Science and Engineering Fair at Appalachian State University and the director of alternative and virtual education for Avery County Schools where he created and ran Avery County Virtual Academy. He also served as an assistant principal at Charles D. Owen High School and taught science classes.

Coleman is currently the Director of the Western Regional Science and Engineering Fair at Appalachian State University. He has 32 years of experience as a public school educator.

Coleman's campaign for county board of education member in Avery County is his first run for public office.

Wants to maintain athletics programs to teach teamwork, discipline, and character development.

Supports arts programs across all grade levels.

- Wants to maintain athletics programs to teach teamwork, discipline, and character development.
- Supports arts programs across all grade levels.

School Facilities & Resources

Supports providing career pathways for students including military, workforce, community college, and four-year university options.

- Supports providing career pathways for students including military, workforce, community college, and four-year university options.

Access to Education

Plans to work with county leaders to improve teacher recruitment and retention through better compensation, professional support, and affordable housing.

- Plans to work with county leaders to improve teacher recruitment and retention through better compensation, professional support, and affordable housing.

Teachers

As of January 2, 2026, Coleman Bailey did not have a website or any information online.

School Curriculum

Commits to regular meetings with school staff, attending events, and hosting community town halls.

- Commits to regular meetings with school staff, attending events, and hosting community town halls.

Student Wellbeing

LinkedIn

Coleman Bailey

Coleman is currently the High School Assistant Principal at Watauga High School & Innovation Academy. Previsouly, he was the Director of the Western Regional Science and Engineering Fair at Appalachian State University and the director of alternative and virtual education for Avery County Schools where he created and ran Avery County Virtual Academy. He also served as an assistant principal at Charles D. Owen High School and taught science classes.

Jason's campaign for County Board of Education Member in Avery County is his first run for public office.


As of January 2, 2026, Coleman Bailey’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Zachary Mangels

Buket Urgen

Jason Coleman earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in criminal justice from Liberty University.

Jason previously worked as a deputy sheriff.

As of January 2, 2026, Jason Coleman did not have a website or any information online.

Twitter

Jason Coleman

As of January 2, 2026, Jason Coleman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Lan Holtsclaw is from Avery County, North Carolina.

Amid funding questions, Avery County school board cancels ...

Lan Holtsclaw's campaign for Avery County Board of Education member is his first time running for public office.

Lan Holtsclaw's campaign for Avery County Board of Education member is her first time running for public office.

For Candidate Lan Holtsclaw on Issue School Facilities & Resources: Requests that the county designate specific funding for the school system's use.

Requests that the county designate specific funding for the school system's use.

- Requests that the county designate specific funding for the school system's use.

As of January 2, 2026, Lan Holtsclaw did not have a website or any information online.

For Candidate Lan Holtsclaw on Issue teachers: Believes teachers and librarians deserve more pay and advocates for increased taxpayer transparency in the school system’s budget.

Believes that teachers and librarians deserve more pay and advocates for increased taxpayer transparency in the school system’s budget.

- Believes that teachers and librarians deserve more pay and advocates for increased taxpayer transparency in the school system’s budget.

Lan Holtsclaw

As of January 2, 2026, Lan Holtsclaw’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of January 2, 2026, Patricia (Pat) Edwards did not have a website or any information online.

Patricia (Pat) Edwards

Randy is currently a member of the Avery County Board of Education. He was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term.

School Superintendent Honors Avery Board of Education Members ...

Avery County Board of Education Buys Out Superintendent Dr. Dan ...

Voted against the renewal of Superintendent Dr. Brigman’s contract.

- Voted against the renewal of Superintendent Dr. Brigman’s contract.

As of January 2, 2026, Randy Singleton did not have a website or any information online.

Randy Singleton

As of January 2, 2026, Randy Singleton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Trey Oakley earned a bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Charleston Southern University. 

Trey Oakley has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Avery County YMCA for over the past 12 years.

As of January 2, 2026, Trey Oakley did not have a website or any information online.

Trey Oakley

- 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. 

Avery County Board of Education Member

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School Facilities & Resources

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

Avery County Board of Education Member

Election results

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Compare candidates

School Facilities & Resources

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

Candidates (6)
Choose 2