School Board Members

District 1 Applicants: 
 
Five residents of District 1 submitted application packets for the vacant School Board seat.  Those applicants are:
  • Alicia Bowman
  • Greg Brown
  • Katrina Griffin
  • Charlotte (Candy) Hayes
  • Jeff Ryder 
 
Their application materials are available below.  
 

On Thursday, August 13, the Board will announce the applicants during the August board meeting.   Applications will be reviewed by the School Board between August 13 and August 17, 2026. 

A Special Called School Board Meeting will be scheduled for August 17 or August 18 to allow for citizen comment and public interviews.

A final vote and announcement will take place on or before September 14, 2026.

The selected candidate will be sworn in and begin serving as soon as practicable.

The Isle of Wight County School Board is seeking qualified applicants to fill a temporary vacancy for the District 1 seat following an unexpected departure from the Board.
 
The appointment will be made by the remaining members of the School Board. The individual selected will serve until a successor is elected in the November 2026 election and officially assumes office, in accordance with applicable state and local regulations.
 

Applicants must be qualified voters and residents of School Board District 1 in Isle of Wight County, legally eligible to hold public office under Virginia law, and demonstrate a commitment to public education and to the students, families, and community served by Isle of Wight County Schools.  The appointed School Board member will attend and participate in School Board meetings and work sessions, contribute to decisions regarding policy, budget, and educational priorities, and represent the interests and concerns of District 1 constituents.

Interested individuals must submit a letter of interest, résumé or summary of qualifications, proof of residency within District 1, and a community reference. Application materials must be received no later than close of business on August 12, 2026.

Application materials may be submitted by email to [email protected] or delivered by mail or in person to:

Isle of Wight County Schools
Attn: School Board Clerk
9307 Old Stage Highway
Smithfield, VA 23430

Applications will be reviewed by the School Board between August 13 and August 17, 2026. On Thursday, August 13, the Board will announce the applicants during the August board meeting. Application packages will be posted online for public review. 

A Special Called School Board Meeting will be scheduled for August 17 or August 18 to allow for citizen comment and public interviews. A final vote and announcement will take place on or before September 14, 2026. The selected candidate will be sworn in and begin serving as soon as practicable.

The Isle of Wight County School Board encourages all eligible District 1 residents with an interest in supporting public education to apply. The Board is committed to a fair and transparent selection process.

For more information, contact IWCS Board Clerk Jessica Whitlow at [email protected] or 757-365-1619.

 

 

The Isle of Wight County School Board is composed of five members who are elected by county voting district. They are elected to four-year staggered terms in November, with service beginning on January 1 of the year following the election. The chairman and vice chairman are elected annually during the January organizational board meeting.
Headshot of a man in a black jacket with a red tie and gray beard
 
Mr. Jarad Ford, Vice Chair
District 3 (formerly the Hardy District)
757.353.7880
current term expires 12/31/29

Jarad Ford was elected to the Isle of Wight County School Board as a write-in candidate in November 2025 and represents the District 3 seat. A lifelong resident of Smithfield, Virginia, Mr. Ford is a proud graduate of Isle of Wight County Schools and Smithfield High School (Class of 2009). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Hampton University and a Master of Arts in Education Policy and Leadership from the University of Michigan.

Mr. Ford’s professional experience includes work in classrooms, research teams, apprenticeships, and program management supporting both K–12 education and adult learning. As a graduate of Isle of Wight County Schools and a committed member of the community, he values the role public education plays in strengthening the community and preparing students for meaningful futures. Mr. Ford is committed to supporting student achievement, expanding educational and career opportunities, and working collaboratively with families, educators, and community partners to ensure the continued success of Isle of Wight County Schools.

stella bradshaw
Mrs. Stella Bradshaw
District 5 (formerly the Carrsville District)
Appointed July 9, 2026
Current term expires on November 3, 2026 (as part of a special election to fill the remaining term which expires 12/31/29)

Stella Bradshaw was appointed to the Isle of Wight County School Board on July 9, 2026, to fill the vacant District 5 seat. Her current term expires on November 3, 2026, as part of a special election to fill the remaining term, which expires December 31, 2029. Mrs. Bradshaw brings more than 35 years of professional experience in education, including service with Isle of Wight County Schools as an educator, curriculum leader, and Family Life Education instructor. She holds a Bachelor of Science in K-12 Health and Physical Education and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Old Dominion University.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Bradshaw has worked to support student learning, curriculum development, grant writing, resource management, and family support. Her experience includes teaching at both Westside Elementary School and Carrsville Elementary School, giving her a broad understanding of the needs of students and families across Isle of Wight County. A longtime Carrsville resident, Mrs. Bradshaw has also been actively involved in community service, including more than 40 years with Cub and Boy Scout Troop 37 and more than 30 years as an Election Precinct Chief. She is committed to serving Isle of Wight County Schools with a focus on student growth, family engagement, community partnership, and support for teachers and staff.

Headshot of a man with a beard and checkered shirt
 
Mr. Jason P. Maresh
District 4 (formerly the Windsor District)
757.353.7706
current term expires 12/31/27

Jason P. Maresh was elected to the Isle of Wight County School Board on November 8, 2022 to fill the unexpired term of the District 4 seat.  Mr. Maresh holds a B.S. in Administration and Management from Excelsior University and currently works as a civilian data analyst for the Navy.  He is a U.S. Navy veteran, serving over 21 years on active duty.  As a Navy Master Training Specialist, Mr. Maresh has developed, implemented, and revised curriculum based on training requirements, job performance standards, and tactical doctrine.  He has provided formal training and assessments in classroom, laboratory, and on-the-job environments. 

As a parent of children attending IWCS and as a resident of Windsor since 2013, Mr. Maresh has a vested interest in public education.  He is committed to ensuring IWCS are safe, provide every student with an equal opportunity to succeed, focus on academics (not social ideologies or politics), and continue to offer the best Career Technical Education (CTE) programs available.  Mr. Maresh believes parents, teachers, administrators, and support staff are the cornerstones of quality education with often-challenging roles, and the school board is accountable for ensuring they are properly supported through policy implementation, responsible fiscal oversight, and community engagement.

Vacant
District 1 (formerly the Smithfield District)
current term expires 12/31/27
Headshot of a man with a mustache and gray hair
 
Mr. Mark Wooster
District 2 (formerly the Newport District)
757.353.8013
current term expires 12/31/27
Mark Wooster was elected to the Isle of Wight County School Board on November 8, 2022 to fill the unexpired term of the District 2 seat. He is a third generation resident of Isle of Wight County, having been born and raised in Rescue, VA and graduating from Smithfield High School in 1986. He has six children, four of whom have graduated from IWCS. He is a retired federal Firefighter/Paramedic with 40 years in both in hospital emergency room experience as well as pre-hospital. Mr. Wooster previously served Isle of Wight County for 15 years as an EMT/Paramedic for the Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad as well as serving as EMS Captain for the Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department. Outside of pre-hospital emergency services, he worked at Riverside Regional Medical Center for 7 years in the Emergency Department and Chest Pain Center treating a wide variety of patients. He has a background in education as a Fire and Emergency Medical Services Instructor teaching initial programs in Basic Life Support as well as Advanced Life Support. In addition he has instructed numerous Continuing Education programs for the past 28 years.

Mr. Wooster's philosophy of education is that everyone is different and learns in various ways. We must strive to
find those methods that stimulate and captivate young minds so they can grow and be successful in their future endeavors. One of his goals is to expand on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program to include more fields to create job ready career skills.
Committee Assignments for 2026
Committees Primary Alternate
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Committee Mark Wooster, Jarad Ford N/A
Finance Subcommittee John Collick, Jarad Ford N/A
Governor's School for the Arts Board Jason Maresh Vacant
Isle Maritime Trade Academy Governing Board Jason Maresh Vacant
SECEP Board Jason Maresh Vacant
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) John Collick, Jarad Ford N/A
WHRO Board of Directors Jarad Ford Jason Maresh