Candidates can now file for Wake County school board. Here’s who’s running so far.

The Wake County Board of Education began drawing candidates Monday, with three candidates already entering the race.

Filing began Monday for four seats representing Districts 1, 2, 7 and 9 on the nonpartisan school board that will be up for election this November. District 1 includes eastern Wake toward Johnston and Franklin counties; District 2 covers southeastern Wake; District 7 includes parts of Cary, Morrisville and Brier Creek; and District 9 covers much of Cary. The deadline to file is noon July 17.

The term for a board member is four years.

As of July 6, three candidates have filed: Jasmine Zavala in district 1 and Amita Gupta and Maddie Segal in district 7.

• Zavala ran unsuccessfully for the Wake Forest Town Council in 2025. She taught as an elementary school teacher in Granville County Schools, according to her LinkedIn page. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from UNC Wilmington.
• Gupta’s campaign website says she has over 15 years of volunteer experience with Wake County schools, and is a Parent Teacher Student Association president and participant in Wake County school advisory councils.
• Segal’s campaign website says she is focused on improving teacher retention through competitive pay and reducing operational burdens; ensuring students have access to physical books while using technology in age-appropriate ways and addressing food insecurity through universal free school meals. She advocates partnering with rural counties to strengthen a unified statewide education voice. Segal previously worked with Meals on Wheels in Charlotte and has worked in federal nutrition policy for the past six years.

The current school board includes Cheryl Caulfield representing district 1, Christina Gordon in district 2, Chris Heagarty in district 7 and Tyler Swanson in district 9.