Will Atherton, the current chair of the Orange County Board of Education, will run to retain his seat on the board in 2026. He is one of six candidates who will vie for four seats.
“I am proud and excited for my campaign for re-election to a third term on the Orange County Board of Education,” he told Chapelboro. “Over the past several years, public schools have faced unprecedented challenges, and public education continues to be under attack at every level. Despite these challenges, Orange County Schools have made significant academic progress – and we must continue moving forward.”
Atherton was first elected to the board in 2018, and has taken part in helping select Orange County Schools last two superintendents, Pamela Baldwin and Danielle Jones. According to his campaign website, since joining the board, he has helped oversee the passing of “over 37 resolutions,” such as a Feb. 2025, including a resolution supporting immigrant families and students, a Jan. 2022 resolution protecting English language learning students, and more. He provided four main priorities for his potential reelection, which are as follows:
Students – Strong academic and well-being support, inclusive and welcoming learning environments, and opportunities for extracurricular activities. Teacher Support and Retention – Valuing educators through competitive compensation and professional support. Safety and Security – Ensuring every school and classroom is a safe, welcoming space for learning and growth. Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency – Making every decision with accountability and our students’ best interests at heart.“Every student deserves to feel a strong sense of belonging, receive the support they need for success, and to learn in classrooms that are safe and welcoming and focused on growth,” he said. “My commitment is grounded in experience and proven results: leading with integrity, transparency, and a clear focus on what matters most – our student’s success and support of our teachers and staff.”
He said he will aim to continue to use both data and anecdotal feedback to address the needs of the school system from two ends.
“I have prioritized being active in our schools and community and using inclusive date driven decision-making by engaging with students, families, teachers, staff and our community to understand their needs and concerns,” he said. “This approach has led to initiatives that strengthen academic performance, enhance extracurricular programs, and ensure a safe, welcoming environment for everyone.”
The Orange County Schools Board of Education race is a non-partisan election, but will be on voters’ ballots alongside the primary races in March. Atherton is joined by fellow incumbent candidates Anne Purcell and Sarah Smylie, as well as challengers Saru Salvi, Brian Edwards, and Lori Russell. One seat is open as single-term Board of Education member André Richmond will depart the board after four years in the role. Winners of the election in March will be sworn into the Board of Education over the summer ahead of the new academic year that starts in July.
Voter registration for those participating in the 2026 election cycle is underway and runs through Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. in North Carolina. Early voting for the primary and non-partisan Board of Education election begins on Feb. 12 and runs through Feb. 28, with Primary Election Day set for Tuesday, Mar. 3. More details about key dates and deadlines for voters can be found on the North Carolina Board of Elections website.
Featured photo via Will For Schools.
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